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Drop, Cover, and Hold On:
Trying to move during shaking puts you at risk: Earthquakes occur without any warning and may be so violent that you cannot run or crawl; you therefore will most likely be knocked to the ground where you happen to be. So it is best to drop before the earthquake drops you, and find nearby shelter or use your arms and hands to protect your head and neck. "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" gives you the best overall chance of quickly protecting yourself during an earthquake... even during quakes that cause furniture to move about rooms, and even in buildings that might ultimately collapse.
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The greatest danger is from falling and flying objects: Studies of injuries and deaths caused by earthquakes over the last several decades show that you are much more likely to be injured by falling or flying objects (TVs, lamps, glass, bookcases, etc.) than to die in a collapsed building. "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" (as described above) will protect you from most of these injuries. If there is no furniture nearby, you can still reduce the chance of injury from falling objects by getting down next to an interior wall and covering your head and neck with your arms (exterior walls are more likely to collapse and have windows that may break). If you are in bed, the best thing to do is to stay there and cover your head with a pillow. Studies of injuries in earthquakes show that people who moved from their beds would not have been injured if they had remained in bed.
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You can also reduce your chance of injury or damage to your belongings by securing them in the first place. Secure top heavy furniture to walls with flexible straps. Use earthquake putty or velcro fasteners for objects on tables, shelves, or other furniture. Install safety latches on cabinets to keep them closed. Instructions for how to "secure your space" are at
WHAT RESCUERS AND EXPERTS *DO NOT* RECOMMEND YOU DO DURING AN EARTHQUAKE
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Based on years of research about how people are injured or killed during earthquakes, and the experiences of U.S. and international search and rescue teams, these three actions are not recommended to protect yourself during earthquakes:
DO NOT run outside or to other rooms during shaking: The area near the exterior walls of a building is the most dangerous place to be. Windows, facades and architectural details are often the first parts of the building to collapse. To stay away from this danger zone, stay inside if you are inside and outside if you are outside. Also, shaking can be so strong that you will not be able to move far without falling down, and objects may fall or be thrown at you that you do not expect. Injuries can be avoided if you drop to the ground before the earthquake drops you.
DO NOT stand in a doorway: An enduring earthquake image of California is a collapsed adobe home with the door frame as the only standing part. From this came our belief that a doorway is the safest place to be during an earthquake. True- if you live in an old, unreinforced adobe house or some older woodframe houses. In modern houses, doorways are no stronger than any other part of the house, and the doorway does not protect you from the most likely source of injury- falling or flying objects. You also may not be able to brace yourself in the door during strong shaking. You are safer under a table.
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Earthquakes are inevitable, but the damage from earthquakes is not- even in a large earthquake on the San Andreas fault such as the one described on previous pages. Many people think the destruction caused by earthquakes is unavoidable, and that our only option is to pick up the pieces after the shaking stops. Actually, almost all earthquake damages and losses can be reduced by steps you take before, during, and after. Many also think that all the damage and injuries from earthquakes comes from collapsing buildings. Again, this isn't the case. As buildings are designed better, more of the losses in earthquakes are from objects that break or fall on people causing injury.
The seven steps that follow include a range of actions to do before, during, and after earthquakes in order to be safe and reduce potential damage. In addition to following the steps at home, they should also be followed in schools, workplaces, and other facilities. If we all follow these steps, we may save billions of dollars and prevent countless casualties in the next large earthquake.
We're all in this together, so talk to your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers about what you've learned in this handbook about earthquakes in southern California. Then discuss what everyone has done to prepare and plan together what else can be done. Visit www.daretoprepare.org for instructions and resources to help you act now.
Follow these seven steps to prepare your home, your school and your workplace for our next earthquake:
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Thanks.
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step3:
Prepare disaster supplies kits.
Personal disaster supplies kits
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Everyone should have personal disaster supplies kits. Keep them where you spend most of your time, so they can be reached even if your building is badly damaged. The kits will be useful for many emergencies.
Keep one kit in your home, another in your car, and a third kit at work. Backpacks or other small bags are best for your disaster supplies kits so you can take them with you if you evacuate. Include at least the following items:
Medications, prescription list, copies of medical cards, doctor's name and contact information
Medical consent forms for dependents
First aid kit and handbook
Examination gloves (non-latex)
Dust mask
Spare eyeglasses or contact lenses and cleaning solution
Bottled water
Whistle (to alert rescuers to your location)
Sturdy shoes
Emergency cash
Road maps
List of emergency out-of-area contact phone numbers
Snack foods, high in water and calories
Working flashlight with extra batteries and light bulbs, or light sticks
Personal hygiene supplies
Comfort items such as games, crayons, writing materials, teddy bears
Toiletries and special provisions you need for yourself and others in your family including elderly, disabled, small children, and animals.
Copies of personal identification (drivers license, work ID card, etc.)
plz visit for detailed: http://www.earthquakecountry.info/roots/steps.html
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Very important post. Thank You Sir for the post.
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thanks...
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Very informative post. Thanks for sharing. We all have to make awareness about Earthquake.
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thank you sir for the useful post.
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Thanks for the informative post.