Scientists cannot predict exactly when earthquakes are going to occur, but if one lives in an earthquake-prone area, there are steps that can be taken to maximise preparedness.
Preparing for an earthquake:
- Safeguard your home by putting heavy objects on low shelves.
- Find places that are safe within each room of your home and outside of your home.
- Store breakable items in low, closed cabinets.
- Hang items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds and anywhere people sit.
- Brace hanging light fixtures.
- Repair known defective electrical wiring and gas connections.
- Strap your water heater to studs in the wall and bolt it to the floor.
- Repair any large existing cracks in walls or foundations.
- Store poisons such as pesticides and herbicides, as well as flammable liquids, on bottoms shelves of latched cabinets.
- Identify safe places in each room (under sturdy furniture, against inside walls, away from glass).
- Make a plan to meet with others in a safe place after the earthquake.
- Prepare an emergency kit with all the important things you need in a place that you can access after the earthquake. This may include emergency foods (nothing refrigerated), drinking water and of course, medical supplies. Your emergency kit should also include a torch and extra batteries, emergency food and drinking water and non electric can opener. It is a good idea to have cash on hand too, as automatic tellers may not be operable.
- If you know an earthquake is imminent, disconnect the gas and/or electricity, or at least teach your family members how to do this.
- Camp stove or barbecue to cook outdoors (store fuel out of the reach of children). This will be a portable stove using butane or charcoal. Note: Use of such stoves should not take place until it is determined that there is no gas leak in the area. Also, charcoal should only be burned outdoors; use of charcoal indoors will lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Ensure family members know how to dial emergency numbers for your country (e.g. 000 in Australia; 911 in USA)
- Have access to telephone numbers of police, fire, and doctor. Also, make sure you have access to a mobile phone, not a landline.
During an earthquake:
- Do not go outside.
- Find the strongest place in the house, usually in an archway, or under a strong desk and position yourself there. Make sure you are not near where objects could fall and injure you. Cover your head and neck with your arms. If no desks or tables are nearby, move against an interior wall.
- Stay away from Windows, fireplaces, and heavy furniture or appliances.
- Stay away from shelves or other areas where objects may fall.
- Do not neglect your pets - they, too, will panic. Secure them safely.
- If you happen to be outdoors: Move to an open area away from trees, buildings, walls, signs and power lines. If you are driving, pull over to the side of the road away from overpasses and power lines. Stay inside your car until the shaking stops.
After an earthquake:
- Wait inside where it is safe. You do not know if there are going to be aftershocks.
- Use caution when opening doors and cupboards.
- Listen for the all-clear on a radio.
