April 26th, 2015
THE YOUNG CHRONICLE
For 8-9 Year Olds or 3rd-4th Graders
What to do in
an earthquake
Here are some pointers if you feel tremors like you
may have felt today.
There are number of things you can do to stay safe
during an earthquake.
Stay there.
Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.
Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The
greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits
and alongside exterior walls.
If you are in a moving
vehicle during an
earthquake
Ensure you do the following if you are in a moving vehicle during an earthquake:
If you are indoors during
an earthquake
Ensure you do the following if you are indoors during an earthquake:
DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or
other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there
isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms
and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and
protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
Do not use a doorway except if you know it is a strongly supported,
load-bearing doorway and it is close to you. Many inside doorways are
lightly constructed and do not offer protection.
Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Do not
exit a building during the shaking. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different
location inside the building or try to leave.
DO NOT use the elevators.
Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or
fire alarms in buildings may turn on.
If you are outdoors during an earthquake
Ensure you do the following if you are outdoors during an earthquake:
Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle.
Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses,
and utility wires.
Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped.
Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.
If you are trapped under debris
Ensure you do the following if you are trapped under debris
during or after an earthquake:
Do not light a match.
Do not move around or kick up dust.
Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle
if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can
cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
Here’s what Causes an
Earthquake