Outdoor Safety

• If outdoors, move away from buildings and utility wires. The greatest danger from falling debris is just outside doorways and close to outer walls. Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops.
• f you are in a moving automobile, stop as quickly and safely as possible and move over to the shoulder or curb, away from utility poles, overhead wires, and under- or overpasses. Stay in the vehicle, set the parking brake, and turn on the radio for emergency broadcast information. A car may jiggle violently on its springs, but it is a good place to stay until the shaking stops. If you are in a life-threatening situation, you may be able to reach someone with either a cellular or an emergency roadside assistance phone.
• When you drive on, watch for hazards created by the earthquake, such as breaks in the pavement, downed utility poles and wires, a fallen overpasses and bridges.

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After Earthquake

• Be prepared for “aftershocks.” Although most of these are smaller than the main earthquake, some may be large enough to cause additional damage or bring down weakened structures.
• Because other aftereffects can include fires, chemical spills, landslides, dam breaks, and tidal waves, be sure to monitor your battery-operated radio or TV for additional emergency information.
• Check for injuries. Don’t attempt to move injured or unconscious people unless they are in immediate danger from live electrical wires, flooding, or other hazards. Internal injuries may not be evident, but may be serious or life-threatening. If someone has stopped breathing, call for medical or first aid assistance immediately and begin CPR if you are trained to do so. Stop a bleeding injury by applying direct pressure to the wound. If you are trapped, try to attract attention to your location.
• An earthquake may break gas, electrical, and water lines. If you smell gas: (1) open windows; (2) shut off the main gas valve; (3) do not turn any electrical appliances or lights on or off; (4) go outside; (5) report the leak to authorities; and (6) do not reenter the building until a utility official says it is safe to do so.
• If electric wiring is shorting out, shut off the electric current at the main box.
• If water pipes are damaged, shut off the supply at the main valve.
• Have chimneys inspected for cracks and damage. Don’t use the fireplace if the chimney has any damage.
• Check to see if sewage lines are intact before using bathrooms or plumbing.
• Don’t touch downed power lines or objects in contact with downed lines. Report electrical hazards to the authorities.
• Immediately clean up spilled medicines, drugs, flammable liquids, and other potentially hazardous materials.
• Stay off all telephones except to report an emergency. Replace telephone receivers that may have been knocked off by the earthquake.
• Stay away from damaged areas. Your presence could hamper relief efforts, and you could endanger yourself.

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Evacuating Your Home

If you must evacuate your home:

• Post a message, in a prearranged location known only to family members, indicating where you have gone.
• Confine pets to the safest location possible and make sure they have plenty of food and water. Pets won’t be allowed in designated public shelters.
• Take vital documents (wills, insurance policies, etc.), emergency supplies, and extra medications with you.

The only sure way to optimize your chances of surviving an earthquake or any potential disaster is to develop a workable plan. The other key step is reviewing it with family members and practicing it.

There is no sure way to avoid calamity, but proper precautions and understanding can make a disaster, even a catastrophic one, survivable.