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Recent Earthquakes
Felt An
Earthquake?
Historical Intensity Maps
South Asia Seismicity
Great Earthquakes
Tsunamis & Seiches
GSHAP Hazard Maps
Seismology Links
Be Earthquake Safe!
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 The
hazards associated with earthquakes are numerous. In addition to
knowing what to do when the earth starts to shake, you must be
prepared in advance, at home or at work or at school. Once the
ground has stopped shaking you should then be ready
to face secondary dangers such as fires,
tsunamis, etc. Though often forgotten,
but always present are the psychological effects of an earthquake,
faced by both, children as well as adults. This
page attempts to summarize and provide offsite web links to other
pages that will help you and your loved ones to face an earthquake
crisis in the future.
Protect Yourself & Others |
Is your home safe? |
Medical & Related Emergencies |
Fire
safety
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Protect
Yourself & Others
DURING an Earthquake
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If you are
INDOORS when an earthquake hits "Drop!
Cover! Hold!".
DROP to the
floor, head for COVER under a
firm table and HOLD onto it.
Large earthquakes can send people and furniture sliding around
like toys. Do not try to run outside as falling debris
such as broken glass, bricks, etc. can
be lethal. If you are OUTDOORS,
stay away from buildings, bridges and electricity lines. Do not
attempt to enter buildings and if you are driving stop at the side
of the road immediately.
AFTER an Earthquake
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If you live
near the sea, you should immediately head for higher ground to
protect yourself from tsunamis. If there are no hills or high
ground near you, head inland. The further you are from the sea the
better. Stay there till you are sure that the danger has passed.
After an earthquake, be prepared to handle some small situations
on your own. Emergency and medical services will be overwhelmed
and will be forced to tend to the most serious of situations only.
You should have knowledge of
basic First Aid and a good First Aid kit is a necessity in every
home, school or office. Turn off the electricity and use torches
(flashlights). Do not attempt to use matches or cigarette
lighters! Check the gas valves (turn off gas mains if you receive
piped gas) and sniff the air for gas leaks. Open windows and doors
if there is a leak immediately. Always keep a fire-extinguisher on
hand and make sure it is in a good working condition. Buildings
should be constructed according to specific guidelines laid done
by your country's building codes. Stay
outdoors after an earthquakes as they are always followed by
aftershocks, which could cause further damage to buildings and
might even cause already weakened structures to collapse.
Additional Weblinks
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NDM Bilingual Earthquake Preparedness Guide
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NDM Pocket Survival guide
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Emergency Information to keep by your phone |
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Is the structure of your home / work place / educational
institution safe?
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IAEE,
Guidelines for Earthquake Resistant
Non-Engineered Construction (English
version)
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IAEE,
Guidelines for Earthquake Resistant
Non-Engineered Construction (Hindi
version)
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INTACH,
A Manual For Emergency Safety Measures in
Damaged Masonry Buildings.
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Bureau of Indian
Standards,
Earthquake Building Codes.
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Indian Seismic Code. |
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Medical & Related
Emergencies
After a bad earthquake
critical medical facilities such as hospitals and ambulance services
will be stretched to their limits. Some
buildings might even be damaged and the injured and patients alike
will have to be treated outdoors in open areas. During times like
this, most medical services follow a triage
system. This basically enables them to focus their efforts and
existant supplies on those who very urgently require assistance.
Because of this you or a loved one might be turned away if the
injuries are not life threatening. Hence YOU should be able to deal
with minor injuries and other things such as fractures, etc. Learn
C.P.R. and other first aid techniques that could help yourself or
others in the wake of a major disaster. Keep an up to date First Aid
Kit and check it frequently for expiry dates. You might also want to
add a list of allergies and other medical conditions that you or
other members in your family might have, in it as a safetly
precaution. Earthquakes might break pipes
that supply water for household purposes and also sewage lines.
Diseases might spread due to lack of proper sanitation and hygenic
conditions that might exist in open air camps. Always boil water
before you use it.
Additional Weblinks
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PTSD,
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Alliance
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U.S. Department of
Veteran Affairs,
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
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LAFD,
Home & Office First Aid Kit
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LAFD,
Earthquake supplies check list
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LAFD,
Safe Drinking Water
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LAFD,
Emergency Food Supplies & Cooking
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LAFD,
Helping Children Cope
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LAFD,
Helping Adults Cope |
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Fire
Safety
Earthquakes can rupture electric wires and lead to short circuits. Many
homes have cooking gas cylinders or
receive piped cooking gas. These can be damaged by falling
debris. Smell the air for leaking gas. If you smell gas, open all
windows and doors. DO NOT SWITCH ELECTRICITY EITHER ON OR OFF.
Whether you have a cylinder or central gas, make sure EVERYONE
at home knows how to turn off the gas valves. Do not use candles or
lighters. Use a battery powered torch instead.
If a fire does break out in your home, make sure you know what kind
of a fire it is. If it is too big, call the fire brigade
immediately. If it is small try and deal with it yourself if you
have adequate knowledge about putting out fires. The best and safest
way to put out a fire is to use a fire extinguisher. When using an
extinguisher to put out a fire, aim at the base
of the fire. A fire extinguisher is always the best option as
an earthquake might sever water pipes and thus leave you stranded
without water to fight a fire. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PUT OUT AN
ELECTRICAL FIRE WITH WATER. Throw mud or sand on the flames to
extinguish them. A burning electrical transformer is best dealt with
by calling the fire brigade.
Additional Weblinks
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LAFD,
Using a fire extinguisher the correct way
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LAFD,
Emergency Lighting
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Andy Doyle's Pages,
Home / Office Fire escape plan
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Kinder Korner,
Fire Safety for Kids
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