Earthquakes are some of the most destructive natural disasters known to man, and they are difficult to impossible to predict with any significant amount of lead time. If you live in an earthquake prone area, surviving an earthquake is something you should be informed about. Here are some basic tips to help get you through the worst of it.
The instant you first detect shaking, move away from anything that could fall on you and cause injuries. Get low to the ground and crawl quickly away from windows, bookcases, tall cabinets, or anything else that could pose a threat. Try to protect yourself from falling debris however possible, especially your head and neck. If you can, cover your head, face, and neck with something like a sofa cushion, a heavy pillow, or other suitable object. If all else fails, shield your head, face, and neck as much as possible with your arms.
Stay on your hands and knees and try to find cover under a sturdy piece of furniture like a desk or a table. Once there, stay covered until the shaking stops. “Drop, cover, and hold on” is the typical course of action recommended by emergency management organizations, and it is good preliminary advice.
If there is no sturdy furniture available, try to get to an interior corner of the building you’re in, in the space where two walls meet. Though people used to be advised to stand in doorways, newer research shows that the leading cause of earthquake-related injuries is falling or flying objects, which doorways don’t offer protection against. You would be much safer under a sturdy piece of furniture or in an interior corner.
A strong or prolonged earthquake can create clouds of dust—if this occurs, try not to inhale any of the dust by covering your mouth and nose, if possible with a damp piece of cloth. Once you find a reasonably safe spot, stay there and wait for the shaking to subside. When the shaking stops completely, stay where you are for one to two minutes to be sure the initial earthquake is over.
Take stock of your situation, and if you can visually map out a route of escape from your safe spot, do that before moving. If you’re in a building with other people but aren’t in line of sight contact with them, call out to them to see if they’re injured or need attention, and keep them informed about where you are and what you intend to do. When you emerge from your safe spot, look for any nearby hazards which might tip or fall on you, and stay alert for aftershocks, as they can occur at any time after an initial earthquake—and in some cases, an aftershock could be stronger than the earthquake that came before it. If an aftershock does occur, “drop, cover, and hold on” again until it’s over.
When leaving shelter, keep an eye out for broken glass and rubble, especially anything that could shift or fall, injuring you or blocking your path. Take caution not to inhale any dust that may be lingering, and try not to touch anything until you can better assess the situation and its safety.
After an earthquake, you and your loved ones should meet in a pre-designated safe location, outdoors and as far away from buildings as possible. Once everyone is safely assembled together, check everyone for any injuries and administer any required first aid. If someone is seriously injured and emergency services are available, call for medical attention.
Once the initial dust clears, carefully inspect any building before reentering. Look for large cracks in the building’s structure or around doors or windows, be alert for evidence of fire—smoke, smell, or heat—and stay aware. Small fires can be put out with a fire extinguisher, but larger fires will likely require emergency services. If you suspect fire and smell gas at any time, evacuate the area at once.
As you move around the building, stay on the lookout for anything that could indicate electrical damage like flying sparks, smells of burning plastic, or exposed broken wiring. If you know where the main circuit breaker is and can reach it safely, turn off the electricity. Earthquakes can damage electrical appliances and wiring, which can cause fires hours or even days after being damaged.
If natural gas is used for heating or cooking, be especially alert for the smell of gas leaks, as earthquakes can easily damage underground lines. If you smell gas or hear a hissing noise, open windows if possible and then evacuate the building as quickly as you can. If you know where the main gas valve is and can safely reach it, turn it off and contact the gas company, who will need to inspect and repair the lines before restoring service.
Your Fellow Patriot
Steven Bryant
