Dhaka University Earth Observatory (DUEO)
Earthquake Safety Tips
Before an earthquake:
o Make family disaster plan.
o Keep emergency kit items such as water, food items, first aid kit, torch, portable radio, extra batteries for torch and radio, fire extinguisher, hammers and shovels in your house within your reach. This kit may be checked from time to time to keep it up to date.
o Make sure every one knows where the emergency kit items are kept.
o Train your family members in ‘basic first aid’ and ‘rescue operation’ because medical facilities and rescue team may be overloaded immediately after a severe earthquake.
o Learn how to stop electric main and gas supply at the time of earthquake.
o Don’t keep heavy objects in high shelves.
o Identify emergency exit of your home, educational institute and work place.
o Do not keep almirahs/racks in the passage in your home, educational institute, work place, hospitals as they will block the exit routes during emergency.
o Identify safe places in your home, educational institute and work place for shelter during earthquake.
o Fasten heavy appliances to the floor, and anchor heavy furniture to the walls.
o Know what to do and where to meet your family after an earthquake if anybody separated.
o Hold meeting in home and work place at regular interval and discuss earthquake safety tips and assign responsibilities to each member.
o Hold earthquake drill at regular interval and know what to do during an earthquake.
o Urge your school teachers to discuss earthquake safety in the class rooms, and ask them to conduct drills.
o Find out your office has an emergency plan, know your responsibility at your works during an emergency.
o Organize earthquake disaster management team in your area to develop earthquake awareness and train for post earthquake relief operation.
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During an earthquake:
Indoors
o Stay inside and remain calm. Secure your personal safety based on your surroundings. Survival depends upon how you react in such emergencies. Many injuries occur as people enter or leave the buildings.
o Do not rush towards the doors or staircase. They may be broken or jammed. You can be injured by falling debris.
o Never use elevator. You may get trapped inside. Stop the elevator at the nearest floor and get off immediately if you are in elevator during earthquake
o DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON! Move only a few steps to a nearby safe place. Get under a table, desk or bed to avoid injuries or stand in a strong doorway or take shelter near an inner wall, as maximum damage occurs in outer wall.
o Do not stand in balconies. Stay away from glass widows, mirrors, almiras and heavy objects (over hanged & standing). If you are in a high rise building stand against a support column.
o If you are in bed, hold on, stay there, protect your head with a pillow.
o Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you're sure it's safe to exit.
Outdoors
o Find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, and power lines and stay in the open place.
o Drop to the ground until the shaking stops.
In A Car
o Turn on emergency flashers, slow down and safely bring the vehicle to a stop away from electricity poles and overhead wires.
o Do not stop on overpasses, underpasses, or bridges. Be careful of overhead hazards such as power lines or falling building debris.
o Turn off the ignition and set the parking brake.
o Stay inside the car until the shaking stops.
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After an earthquake:
o Check yourself and others for injuries, provide first aid. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
o Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance--infants, the elderly and people with disabilities.
o Do not use match, lighter or turn on a light switch until it has been established that there is no gas leak. Use torchlight instead.
o Check electric and gas connection.
o Turn on your radio or T.V for earthquake information and emergency instructions, reduce the use of phone lines it may be required for conveying some important messages.
o Stay out of damaged buildings.
o Expect aftershocks. Each time you feel one, DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON!
o Wear shoes/chapels and gloves to protect against shattered glass and debris.
o Stay away from beaches and water front areas where Tsunami could strike, even long after the shaking has stopped.
o Do not spread rumors. They lead to panic and worsen the situation.
o Keep the streets clear for the passage of emergency services and help rescue operation.
o Cooperate with government authorities. Respond to requests for cooperation and help from government authorities, police and fire services.
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