How to Stay Safe During an Earthquake?

Here is How to Stay Safe During an Earthquake:

What are Earthquakes?

An earthquake is a quick, violent shaking of the ground produced by subsurface rock breaking and moving. Within seconds, modest shaking might intensify and become quite powerful. Aftershocks, or more earthquakes, may occur for hours, days, or even months. The majority are smaller than the main earthquake, although greater aftershocks can occur. Power shortages and tsunamis can be caused by earthquakes. Earthquakes may strike at any time of year and without notice.

Why Prepare For It?

Massachusetts is in a moderate seismic zone. Although small earthquakes normally produce only little or minor damage, stronger earthquakes are conceivable and might inflict major damage to structures and public infrastructure. As a result, it is critical to understand some basic safety precautions if the ground begins to tremble.

Drop on the ground during an earthquake, cover your head and neck with your arms and, if possible, a substantial piece of furniture, and attempt to hang on until the shaking stops.

What to Do During an Earthquake?

1. Receive alerts, cautions, and public safety information before, during, and after emergencies to stay informed.
2. Make and go through your family’s emergency plan.
3. Determine safe hiding spots in your house, office, or school (for example, under a substantial piece of furniture).
4. Practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On;” and take part in the Great Northeast Shakeout every October.
5. Make an emergency kit.
6. Prepare your home for potential disasters.
7. Wall-mount bookshelves, hutches, and freestanding shelving. Lower shelves should be used for large, heavy, or fragile things.
8. Understand where your power, gas, and water switches and valves are and how to turn them off.

What to Do After an Earthquake Strikes

• Continue to monitor media for emergency information.
• Follow instructions from public safety officials.
• If you are trapped, try calling or texting for help. Try tapping on a pipe or wall or using a whistle to help rescuers locate you.
• Stay away from downed utility wires. Always assume a downed power line is live.
• Stay out of damaged buildings and areas until authorities deem them safe.

• Check your home for damage:

  • If you believe there is a gas leak, go outdoors immediately, and do not turn electrical switches or appliances on or off.
  • Check chimneys for visual damage and have a professional inspect the chimney for internal damage before lighting a fire.
  • If your home or property is damaged, take photos or videos to document your damage, and contact your insurance company.

• If your power is out, follow power outage safety tips.

  • Report power outages to your utility company.
  • Use generators and grills outside because their fumes contain carbon monoxide. Make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are working as it is a silent, odorless, killer.
• If phone lines are down, use social media or texting to let others know you are OK.
• Be a good neighbor. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions, and those who may need additional assistance.

Recover

Once the earthquake has passed and it is safe to move about, make sure everyone is secure and unharmed. Start first aid and/or seek emergency medical assistance for any injuries.

Prepare for aftershocks, which are common after an earthquake.

Then, be ready to defend your property by inspecting electrical cables, appliances, chimneys, and utilities for damage. Examine the sewage pipes to ensure they are in good operating order.

That’s a wrap on our How to Stay Safe During an Earthquake? Blog.

When you have any precise Earthquake-related questions, drop us a remark underneath!

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