Earthquake Planning Tips: What Can Residents Do Before a Quake

How can you survive the effects of an earthquake? How can you diminish the results earthquakes tend to have on human beings? What kind of preparations can be made to ensure minor injuries minor damages? Scientists have no way of knowing when Mother Nature will unleash her rolling fury so people need to be on alert at all times.

Sometimes if people listen closely, they may hear the ground rumble as the crust is violently shaking about down below. Hearing this sound may send a rippling chill of fear down people’s spines. Panicking can cause a person to hinder his or her own survival. Take note, that destructive earthquakes are rare even in the Pacific Ocean’s Ring of Fire.

That does not mean an emergency plan of some type shouldn’t be made. There are six things to do before an earthquake strikes.

For everyone in the household, practicing how to react when an earthquake strikes is essential. By doing so, a person’s instincts will take over. The drills will ensure the person or household will know what is happening and not panic should a strong earthquake transpire.

Structurally Sound Home

Those people who live in areas frequented by earthquakes know they need to have their homes meet a certain material standard. Why? The material is designed to keep the home from totaling coming down which are most the common reasons for injuries and deaths. Make sure when you are building your home there are plenty of exit ways to escape.

Another way to ensure your safety is to tighten heavy fixtures to walls and that any items stored in cabinets are locked up and won’t come spilling out. The doorframes in the home should be made sturdy. It is recommended that people get into doorways during an earthquake.

A Plan For All

Whether at home, school or office, each person needs to be aware of the earthquake emergency plan. They need to familiarize themselves with the building procedures for when a quake happens. If there is organization after the earthquake, there will be survival.

Know Your Home, Know Your Job, Know Your School

Do you know where to go should you get caught in an earthquake? Learning where to hide could save your life. Talk to your co-workers and boss about the places you need take cover at should one strike. School administrators should brief parents and children about what they should do in case of an earthquake. At home, find your safe spots. It may be a good idea (even if the school or workplace doesn’t do this) to practice so you will be ready. Every one including schoolchildren should meet in one location so all can be accounted for.

Official Responsibility Belongs to All

Understand that one person can be in charge of the entire preparation. It takes team work to put together a plan so allot the responsibility to each person at work and home. If you are not with your family or co-workers, they should still need to know what they are doing during the disaster.

Keep Kits Nearby

Earthquakes can catch people off guard since there is no way to tell when one will happen. This is why it is so important to have a medical emergency kit handy whether at home or the workplace. These kits will be a way to stay alive. Make sure it has plenty of drinking water, food, band-aids, gauze and antiseptic cream or spray. Everyone needs to know where these are located.