Page 34
Volume 1, Issue 1
Brace yourself in an inside corner away from
windows, if you cannot find a table or desk to
get under.
Practice drop, cover, and hold-on at least twice
a year. Frequent practice will help reinforce
safe behavior.
Wait in your safe place until the shaking stops,
then check to see if you are hurt. You will be
better able to help others if you take care of
yourself first, and then check the people around
you. Move carefully and watch out for things
that have fallen or broken, creating hazards. Be
ready for aftershocks.
If you’re outside in an earthquake, stay outside. Move away from buildings, trees,
streetlights, and power lines. Bricks, roofing,
and other materials can fall from buildings,
injuring persons nearby. Trees, streetlights,
and power lines may also fall, causing damage or injury. Crouch down and cover your
head.
If you are in a moving car, stop. Stop as
quickly as safety permits in the best available space. Stay in your car. Don’t stop where
buildings can topple down on top of you. A
car is an excellent shock absorber and will
shake a lot on its springs during an earthquake, but it’s a fairly safe shelter from
which to assess your situation.
Get training on first aid and how to use a fire
extinguisher
According to OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health
Administration), “ Most earthquake-related injuries
result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling
objects as a result of the ground shaking, or people trying to move more than a few feet during the
shaking.”
Be on the lookout for fires. Fire is the most
common earthquake-related hazard, due to
broken gas lines, damaged electrical lines or
appliances. Extinguish all open flames.
Turn off all appliances and office machines.
Check power lines and cords. If problems exist
in electrical lines or gas lines the mains should
be shut off.
If you are inside the building, then stay inside
and follow step 1. If you must leave a building
after the shaking stops, use the stairs, not the
elevator.