What To Do Before, During And After An Earthquake?

About Aarthquake

An earthquake is a term used to describe both a sudden slip on a fault line and the resulting ground shaking and radiated seismic energy caused by the slip or by volcanic or magmatic activity or other sudden changes stress in the earth. . (US Geological Survey)

More than one million earthquakes occur each year around the world, an average of two per minute. A major earthquake in an urban area is one of the worst natural disasters that can happen. Over the past four decades (1970-2017), earthquakes have been responsible for more than one million deaths worldwide in Armenia, China, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Iran, India , Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru and Turkey. .

Over-urbanization in several seismically active regions of the world has given rise to megacities with population densities of 20,000 to 60,000 people per square kilometer. These cities are highly vulnerable to earthquake hazards, which include high death rates from trauma, asphyxia, hypothermia, and acute respiratory failure, as well as fractures and other injuries from destruction of infrastructure.

Before an Earthquake 

• Prepare for a possible earthquake by creating a family plan that includes how to communicate and where to meet.
• Learn what to do in case of an earthquake by participating in exercises in your community/workplace/school.
• Discuss with your children what to do in the event of an earthquake and especially what to do when they are alone during an earthquake.
• Locate the safest places in your home/workplace/school to shelter in the event of an earthquake and identify escape routes.
• Prepare the emergency numbers (civil security, ambulance, hospital, fire department, police, etc.).
• Make sure you have enough emergency supplies, including clean water, non-perishable groceries, prescription drugs, first aid kit, batteries, radio, and food for pets. Keep important documents such as passports or identity cards with you.
• Prepare an emergency backpack/kit in case you need to evacuate the area.
• If there is a pregnant woman in the family, prepare a pregnancy kit with medical documents, medications, and other things that might be needed if she is hospitalized due to childbirth or complications.

During an Earthquake 

• Stay calm and help calm those around you if necessary.
• Stay away from windows and falling objects, such as B. loose power lines.
• Go to a safe place and adopt a protective position next to a solid wall or piece of furniture.
• If you must evacuate, use the stairs, not the elevators. Go to a safe area.
• Follow the instructions of civil protection officers and other authorities.
• If you get stuck, try hitting a metal object to make some noise.
• If you are on a public road or street, stay away from utility poles, cables and tall buildings.

After an Earthquake 

• Check the condition of your home. If you think it's dangerous, tell the authorities and go to an emergency shelter or stay with friends or family.
• Check official sources for the most up-to-date information. Be aware of electrical currents, propane/natural gas lines, and sources of chemical hazards.
• Help your family and your community by sending messages of support and encouragement.

Health Services

•  After an earthquake, ensure that all injuries are carefully assessed by medical personnel.
• Healthcare systems may also have suffered structural damage and may not always be able to care for patients. It is important to know which health centers and hospitals are operational.
• Temporary health services are organized by the health authorities. Go to one of these places if you have minor injuries or need emergency psychological care. 

Safe drinking water and food

• After an earthquake, it is very likely that there will be a shortage of drinking water. Basic personal hygiene and hand washing are essential to prevent the spread of disease. These are especially important in an emergency.
• Use bottled, boiled or chlorinated water for drinking. Cook your food and wash your hands thoroughly before cooking.
• Make sure the bottled water you drink is properly capped before using it. Do not drink from the bottle if the seal is broken or bent.
• Boiling kills viruses, parasites and pathogenic bacteria that may be in the water.
• If you cannot boil the water, you can disinfect it with bleach (chlorine). Fruits and vegetables can be sanitized with a household solution of bleach and water. The amount of chlorine you need to add to the water depends on the concentration of chlorine in the product you are using. Read the label to determine the percentage of chlorine.
• Most household bleaches contain around 4% chlorine. At this concentration, add 1 teaspoon of bleach per liter of water.
• Wash your hands with soap and clean water or clean them frequently with an alcohol-based gel (hand sanitizer). Try to stay hydrated at all times and eat three meals a day.
• Remember the 5 keys to food safety: wash your hands; Make sure that cooking surfaces and appliances are well sanitized; Separate raw foods from cooked foods; Cook food well and store it at safe temperatures. Use purified water and choose food in good condition.
• In order to maintain public hygiene, it is necessary to provide adequate measures for sanitation, waste disposal, food hygiene and prevention of mosquito breeding. Organize with your community to ensure that together you can keep your streets and neighborhoods healthy.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women

• Tell the nearest health care provider if you are pregnant to ensure access to early care. It is important that you let them know if you are taking any prescription medications during your pregnancy.
• Try to always be with someone, a family member or a community member. This will help you deal with stress and anxiety. Try to drink enough clean water, have a place to rest, and eat healthy foods.
• Women who are breastfeeding should continue to do so because breast milk is the safest food for babies. Even in stressful situations, it is important to encourage mothers to breastfeed their children.

People with noncommunicable chronic diseases

•  Make sure you always have your medication with you in an emergency kit.
• Tell the health authorities about your illness and the treatment you are taking so that you can continue treatment in an emergency.
• If you have a non-communicable disease with acute complications (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or a condition that requires dialysis) and you cannot access your regular medications, try going to a health facility. health as soon as possible.

Mental health 

• Loss and displacement are among the most stressful situations you can face. It's important to be prepared to deal with feelings like fear, sadness, and depression.
• Don't forget to take care of yourself. Try to sleep at least 6-8 hours a day and eat regularly.
• Connect with your family, friends and members of your community. They probably feel like you. Be ready to support and encourage others.
• It's important for people to know that it's okay to be upset or scared when disaster strikes. Coping with these feelings in a healthy way will help you deal with them better and recover more easily.
• Children are usually seriously affected by disaster situations. Talk to them and help them deal with their feelings after an earthquake.

Prevent accidents

•  Inspect your home during the day and notify civil defense authorities if you find any structural damage.
• Wear a respirator or mask, boots or closed shoes, a helmet and, if possible, goggles during debris removal operations to avoid accidents.
• Check electrical equipment and propane/natural gas lines for problems.
• Keep children and pets out of the house until you have finished cleaning and inspecting your building structure.
• If you find dead animals, notify the health department or cover the animals with lime if possible.