Earthquake Safety: What to do Before, During, and After an Earthquake |
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I am writing this by news of the recent earthquake in Sumatra, Indonesia and the USA. I find myself realizing that many thousands of people of Bangladesh do not know how to prepare or behave in the case of an earthquake. In the view of earthquake zone Dhaka, Bangladesh and Tehran, Iran are most vulnerable city in the world. In 12 June,1897, during in earthquake at least more than 500/600 were died at Dhaka and in that period population of Dhaka city was approx. 9000 only, where as at present there are millions of people living in Dhaka.
Dhaka city might eventually be affected seriously by seismic activity. So, now that you know, let us talk about what you can do now, before your walls start shaking and your floors start moving.
How to Prepare for an Earthquake
Take stock of your top-heavy furniture and do what you can to secure it to the wall or floor in case of an earthquake. Secure objects like mirrors attached to your dresser firmly so they do not fall awkwardly during tremors. Be conscious of where you store heavy objects, and where paintings, heavy clocks or mirrors are on your walls. Secure these objects well in preparation for a possible earthquake. Pick "safe places" in each room of your home. A safe place could be under a sturdy table or desk or against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases, or tall furniture that could fall on you. The shorter the distance to move to safety, the less likely you will be injured. Injury statistics show that people moving as little as 10 feet during an earthquake's shaking are most likely to be injured. Also pick safe places, in your office, school and other buildings you are frequently in. Practice drop, cover, and hold-on in each safe place. Drop under a sturdy desk or table and hold on to one leg of the table or desk. Protect your eyes by keeping your head down. Practice these actions so that they become an automatic response. When an earthquake or other disaster occurs, many people hesitate, trying to remember what they are supposed to do. Responding quickly and automatically may help protect you from injury.
If you must leave a building after the shaking stops, use the stairs, not the elevator. Earthquakes can cause fire alarms and fire sprinklers to go off. You will not be certain whether there is a real threat of fire. As a precaution, use the stairs.
The name of the game in preparing your home and family for an earthquake is security and awareness. Involving each member of your family in your home's earthquake safety will help to drive the point home; earthquakes are not a game, they are serious. A little readiness can minimize the damages your family experiences.
If you're outside in an earthquake, stay outside. Move to the nearest clear place away from trees, fences, buildings or signs. Crouch down and cover your head. Trees, streetlights, and power lines may also fall, causing damage or injury. Many injuries occur within 10 feet of the entrance to buildings. Bricks, roofing, and other materials can fall from buildings, injuring persons nearby. Take special notice of where utility lines are in relation to you, and keep far away from them if possible
Take a first aid class from your local pharmacy, a flashlight and sturdy shoes by each person's bedside
Discuss earthquakes with your family. Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together. Discussing earthquakes ahead of time helps reduce fear and anxiety and lets everyone know how to respond.
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, then check the people around you. Move carefully and watch out for things that have fallen or broken, creating hazards.. Be ready for additional earthquakes called "aftershocks. "
If you happen to be driving when an earthquake occurs, do not panic. Drive your car / bus / tempoo rationally and calmly to the side of the road away from trees and utility lines, and passenger do not exit the vehicle. Your vehicle will act as a ground in the event of a broken power line, and is a safer location to wait out the shaking.
After the Earthquake
Check yourself for injuries. Often people tend to others without checking their own injuries. You will be better able to care for others if you are not injured or if you have received first aid for your injuries.
Protect yourself from further danger by putting on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, and work gloves. This will protect your from further injury by broken objects.
After you have taken care of yourself, help injured or trapped persons. Don't try to move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
Look for and extinguish small fires. Eliminate fire hazards. Putting out small fires quickly, using available resources, will prevent them from spreading. Fire is the most common hazard following earthquakes.
Leave the gas on at the main valve, unless you smell gas or think it's leaking. It may be weeks or months before professionals can turn gas back on using the correct procedures. Explosions have caused injury and death when homeowners have improperly turned their gas back on by themselves.
Inspect your home for damage. Get everyone out if your home is unsafe. Aftershocks following earthquakes can cause further damage to unstable buildings. If your home has experienced damage, get out before aftershocks happen.
Help neighbors who may require special assistance. Elderly people and people with disabilities may require additional assistance. People who care for them or who have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations..
Listen to a portable, battery-operated radio (or television) for updated emergency information and instructions. If the electricity is out, this may be your main source of information. Local radio and local officials provide the most appropriate advice for your particular situation.
Expect aftershocks. Each time you feel one, drop, cover, and hold on! Aftershocks frequently occur minutes, days, weeks, and even months following an earthquake.
Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines, and stay out of damaged areas. Hazards caused by earthquakes are often difficult to see, and you could be easily injured.
Stay out of damaged buildings. If you are away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe. Damaged buildings may be destroyed by aftershocks following the main quake.
Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights to inspect your home. Kerosene lanterns, torches, candles, and matches may tip over or ignite flammables inside.
Inspect the entire length of chimneys carefully for damage. Unnoticed damage could lead to fire or injury from falling debris during an aftershock. Cracks in chimneys can be the cause of a fire years later.
Avoid smoking inside buildings. Smoking in confined areas can cause fires.
When entering buildings, use extreme caution. Building damage may have occurred where you least expect it. Carefully watch every step you take.
Examine walls, floor, doors, staircases, and windows to make sure that the building is not in danger of collapsing.
Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas, using the outside main valve if you can, and call the gas company from a neighbor's home.. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
Look for electrical system damage. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell burning insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.
Check for sewage and water line damage. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber.
Watch for loose plaster, drywall, and ceilings that could fall.
Use the cell phone only to report life-threatening emergencies. Telephone lines are frequently overwhelmed in disaster situations.
Watch animals closely. Leash dogs and place them in a fenced yard. The behavior of pets may change dramatically after an earthquake. Normally quiet and friendly cats and dogs may become aggressive or defensive.
The author is an Assistant Engineer at the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) of Bangladesh Government in Kushtia, Bangladesh. He is nephew of Mr. Ali Reza, accused person in Agortola conspiracy case, officially called State vs. Sheikh Mujib in 1968 and Mr. Ali Imam, former football Coach of Abahoni Sporting Club, a popular sporting club in Bangladesh.