Earthquake Safety Tips:Protect Myself From Earthquake
How can I protect myself from an earthquake? Well it is possible to stay safe from the deadliest natural disaster. In the last ten years , nearly 67 percent of people killed in natural disasters have been dead due to earthquakes. The year 2010 has been significant with the infamous Haiti Earthquake taking more than 2,50,000 lives, injuring more than 300,000 and leaving 1,000,000 homeless. The Chile Earthquake left 5,00,000 people homeless and even transformed into a Tsuami that destroyed several coastal lands in south-central Chile , ruining places like the Talcahuano port.
Forget about the boobquake and such stuff, let’s get real. Earthquakes can strike anytime at any place. This actually happens due to unforeseen rupture of energy in the Earth’s crust that that makes way for the seismic waves. The magnitude of earthquakes is measured on the Richter scale with a magnitude of 3 or less being the ones of modest intensity and the one with the magnitude of 7 being very destructive. The most susceptible places to experience minor earthquakes include Chile, Iran, Peru, California, Pakistan, New Zealand, Greece, Italy, Turkey and Japan.
Okay, all of these were facts and now let’s find out how we can reduce the extent of damage that is caused due to earthquake and most importantly, save our lives
1. When there is a jerk that hints at an earthquake, be watchful but calm. Keep your mind steady and do not run helter skelter.
2. Go to an open area far from buildings and electric wires. It is better to venture out in an open arena like a park, playground, garden, etc where there is the least amount of impact
3. Some people say that you should stay near the doorway but it is not really advisable. In case the doorway jambs are feeble, the doors might just cringe and fall on you, leaving people grievously injured or even reduced to debris. Secondly, if people are running through the hall or some such place towards the door, sticking around the door may trap them. So it is better to keep the door and the doorway free.
4. Earthquakes can lead to gas leaks, cracks in gas pipes and broken electrical wires. If you suspect gas leak at your place, fling open the windows of your house and the gas go out. To prevent any more gas leakage, turn off the main gas valve. Do not light inflammatory substances like candles or lighters in such a situation.
5. Do not move down the stairs during an earthquake tremor; the stairs are likely to shake, crack and even break out, making you fall badly. Even if the buildings are strong, the stairs can break and give way. Though it is easier than done, a better way is to wait for the tremors to stop, and after a few seconds, descend down the stairs slowly.
6. If you live some floors up in your building and it is easy to come down rapidly, then seek shelter big object like sofa. Coil and be on the floor, double-check that you are not near potentially hazardous things like gas stove fireplace, mirror, window, wall hangings etc.
7. Avoid using escalators or lifts.
8. In case you are driving and there is an earthquake tremor, halt the car at one side of the road and step out. Make sure that you are not under a bridge, a flyover or such places
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Posted by Starwin on 4th May, 2010
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