Earthquakes: 13 tips to stay safe

Simple things to keep in mind during a disaster

Alright, so life is unpredictable and more so post one of the most horrible earthquakes witnessed by Nepal. With so much of destruction and so many lives lost, we wonder if there’s anything we can do to lessen the damage to life in case of another such incident. When it comes to disaster, there are simple things you can do to make yourself safer.

Here we’ve 13 tips on how to keep your loved ones and yourself safe in the time of an earthquake:

• As earthquakes occur without notice, first and foremost, do not panic.
• If shaking begins, one should drop down onto one’s hand and knees, take cover under a desk or table, and hold on to one’s shelter.
• Protect your head and neck using a pillow or your arms.
• If you are indoor, stay inside until the shaking stops and you are safe to move out.
• Stay away from furniture to avoid falling them on you.
• Avoid staying near windows to avoid being injured by shattered glasses.
• Learn how to shut off gas valves in your home and keep a wrench handy for that purpose.
• If you live in a high-rise, do not use elevators.
• Tune in to a portable or battery-operated radio for latest updates, information and instructions.
• Watch out for fire extinguishers because they are the most common hazard after an earthquake.
• If you are outdoors, look out for a clear spot where there are no buildings, trees and power lines.
• If you are driving, slow down the car and drive to a safe place, and stay in the vehicle until the shaking stops. Avoid bridges and power lines.
• If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not go out, but wait for assistance.

If you have any more tips to add to this list, please drop in a message in the Comment box below.

This article was first published on theIndusparent.