Before the occurrence of Earthquake
Protect your house by securing heavy furniture and objects because these things are your biggest danger due to their falling or breaking tendency.
Anchor the unstructured objects (i.e., cupboard, almirah) to wall by L clamps so that it does not slide, topple or fall
Fasten shelves securely to wall
Place larger or heavy objects on the lower shelves
Find a safe place in each room. Practice being “quakesafe” as quick as rabbit.
Develop a family emergency plan and practice it regularly.
Choose a couple of family meeting places; pick easy to identify open and accessible places that you can likely walk to.
Prepare to be self sufficient for a minimum of three days.
Have knowledge about first aid kit.
Assemble an emergency supply kit comprising food, water, essential medications, a battery operated radio, flashlight, extra batteries, shelter clothing, sturdy shoes and personal toiletries etc.
During Earthquake
You will have only few tens of seconds to respond before arrival of damaging S waves (small shaking P wave will arrive earlier). Most important is to keep yourself cool and act very swiftly like a rabbit.
If Inside
If you are near an exit, leave the building as soon as possible.
If you are inside the building put your arms over your head to protect yourself against possible objects falling from above.
If you are inside your room which is in the first floor or above then drop, cover and hold on, sit or lie beside or underneath sturdy furniture. Hold on to the furniture. Cover as much of your head and your upper body as you can. When the shaking stops, get up and evacuate the building.
If you can’t reach the exit quickly or, you are situated in high-rise building/ upstairs stay inside. Do drop,cover and hold on, sit or lie beside or underneath sturdy furniture. Hold on to the furniture. Cover as much of your head and your upper body as you can. When the shaking stops get up and evacuate the building.
While the signal is going on, move away from windows, glass and unfastened objects.
If you are in school then perform “DROP, COVER & HOLD ON” under table, desks or chairs until the shaking stops.
School bags can be used to protect head where sufficient number of desks are not available or where there are no desk at all.
Don’t use lift.
If outdoors
Move to an open area away from all structures especially building, bridges and overhead power lines.
If driving
Stop in an open area away from all structures especially bridges, overpasses, tunnels and overhead power lines. Avoid power lines, trees, signs, vehicles and other hazards. Stay as low as possible inside the vehicle. Near the shore
Drop, Cover & hold on until shaking stops. If sever shaking lasts twenty seconds or more, immediately evacuate to high ground as tsunami might be generated by the earthquake.
Move inland two miles or to land that is at least 100 feet above sea level immediately.
Don’t wait for officials to issue a warning. Walk quickly rather than drive, to avoid traffic, debris and other hazards.
Below a dam
Dam can fail during a major earthquake. Catastrophic failure is unlikely, but if you live downstream of a dam, you should know flood-Zone information and have an evacuation plan.
Aftermath of Earthquake
Stay calm. Allow a little time for objects to fall before moving if you are inside the building.
Move cautiously and check for unstable objects and other hazards above and around you.
Check yourself for injuries.
Help those around you and provide first aid.
Use communication media (i.e. cell phones, land lines) to tell about your current situation to your relatives and also inform to the disaster management center by dialing emergency number.
Listen to the radio or, watch local TV for emergency information and additional safety instructions.
Inspect gas, water and electric lines. If there are leaks or if you doubt about leaks, shut off mains, evacuate immediately. If you hear or, smell gas and can’t shut it off, report leaks to the authorities.
Anticipate aftershocks, especially after large Earthquakes.
Stay out of damaged buildings.