Earthquake Safety

Have you ever wondered what you should/have to do in an earthquake? Well, here will be some basic things that you should do.

The first step of the safety plan is to be prepared for the earthquake, even if it hits all the sudden. The best thing to do in an earthquake is the 'Drop, cover, and hold' method. What you have to do is drop to the ground and cover yourself, with your hand. Then you have to hold onto something. 

The second thing you should do before is to make safety kits! This is really important because at the time when the disaster already hit there won't be time to get all the supplies you need. What you need in this safety kit? The most important things that you need are: 

• Water: 1 gallon per person per day (a week's supply of water is preferable)
• Water purification kit
• First aid kit, freshly stocked
• First aid book
• Food
• Can opener (non-electric)
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Portable radio, flashlight and spare batteries
• Essential medication
• Extra pair of eyeglasses
• Extra pair of house and car keys
• Fire extinguisher : A-B-C type
• Cash
• (Only if you have pet(s))Food, water and restraint (leash or carrier) for pets
• Cash and change
• (Only if you have a baby sister/brother!)Baby supplies: formula, bottle, pacifier, soap and baby powder, clothing, blankets, baby wipes, disposable diapers, canned food and juices.

This list should last at least 72 hours! 

Before an earthquake:

• Learn how to survive during the ground motion.
• Teach all members of your family about earthquake safety. This includes: 1) the actions you should take when an earthquake occurs, 2) the safe places in a room such as under a strong desk, along interior walls, and 3) places to avoid such as near windows, large mirrors, hanging objects, heavy furniture and fireplaces.
• Arrange your home for safety
• Anchor heavy appliances and furniture such as water heaters, refrigerators and bookcases.
• Store flamable liquids away from potential ignition sources such as water heaters, stoves and furnaces.
• Learn where the main turn-offs are for your water, gas and electricity. Know how to turn them off and the location of any needed tools.

During an earthquake:

• If you are indoors, stay there. Quickly move to a safe location in the room such as under a strong desk, a strong table, or along an interior wall. The goal is to protect yourself from falling objects and be located near the structural strong points of the room. Avoid taking cover near windows, large mirrors, hanging objects, heavy furniture, heavy appliances or fireplaces.
• If you are cooking, turn off the stove and take cover.
• If you are outdoors, move to an open area where falling objects are unlikely to strike you. Move away from buildings, powerlines and trees.
• If you are driving, slow down smoothly and stop on the side of the road. Avoid stopping on or under bridge and overpasses, or under power lines, trees and large signs. Stay in your car. 

After the earthquake:

• Check for injuries, attend to injuries if needed, help ensure the safety of people around you.
• Check for damage. If your building is badly damaged you should leave it until it has been inspected by a safety professional. 
• If you smell or hear a gas leak, get everyone outside and open windows and doors. If you can do it safely, turn off the gas at the meter. Report the leak to the gas company and fire department. Do not use any electrical appliances because a tiny spark could ignite the gas.
• If the power is out, unplug major appliances to prevent possible damage when the power is turned back on. If you see sparks, frayed wires, or smell hot insulation turn off electricity at the main fuse box or breaker. If you will have to step in water to turn off the electricity you should call a professional to turn it off for you.

My family earthquake plan

My parents:

My parents can't go under their bed if a earthquake occurs in the middle of the night. So, they have to rush to the bathroom next to their room. They should go there because there aren't any windows, and the boiler is in another bathroom, so, that's the safest place for my parents.

My brothers Akos and Vilmos:

The best thing that my brothers could do is to go under he's own desk and be there when the earthquake happened. Also, they could go under their bed.

Me: 

I have a bunk bed. So, if an earthquake occurs in the middle of the night i would be at the safest place in my room, but there are possibilities that the upper part of the bed falls on me, luckily my dad fixed the bed so this won't happen. If I didn't had a bunk bed then the best place would be under my desk because that is the safest place then.