It is important to take safety precautions before the quake gets worse.
This crawling position is the best for two reasons. One, it gives you a chance to move if you need to. Two, it provides you with some protection from falling objects.
Try to move away from the kitchen. Also, try to get away from your fireplace, large appliances, glass, and heavy furniture, as any of it can injure you. If you can’t get under a table, move to an interior wall, and cover your head. In a large building, move away from windows and exterior walls if possible. Also, don’t get on the elevator. Most modern buildings are built to withstand earthquakes, as they are built to flex. In older buildings, you may be slightly safer on a higher floor, but you shouldn’t try to move floors during an earthquake. [3] X Research source A doorway isn’t the safest place in modern houses, as it isn’t any stronger than any other part of the house. In addition, you can still be hit by falling or flying objects in a doorway. [4] X Research source
Make sure to grab onto whatever you’re hiding under. It should help provide you with some stability. If the furniture you are under shifts, stay with it. The earthquake may move it around.
Grab a pillow, and put it over your head. This step can provide some protection from falling objects. You can also try to cover up with a blanket, which can protect you from glass.
You can also try to take deep, calming breaths. For instance, try counting to four as you breathe in, then try counting to four as you breathe out. Deep breathing can help relax you even when the earth is literally shaking around you.
If injuries need immediate attention, deal with them first. If they can wait a minute, you may want to check the house first, since a gas leak or electrical damage may pose a threat of more harm. Provide first aid as needed. For instance, bandage any wounds according to the first aid booklet you have. If you have injuries you can’t deal with, you may need to call 911. Keep in mind, though, that emergency services will be overloaded, so try to take care of what you can.
Make sure you are smelling as you move around the house. Smell is the main way you can tell if there is a gas leak, though you may hear hissing as well. If you smell or hear gas, shut off the main gas valve. You should already know how to do this step if you prepared for the earthquake in method one. Also, open windows, and get out of the house. Call your gas company to tell them about the leak. Look for electrical problems. If you see any damaged wires or sparks, turn off the electricity. If you see water leaks, turn off the main water supply. If you’re short on water, consider alternative sources, such as melted ice cubes, the water from your hot water heater, and water from canned vegetables and fruits.
Try to wear gloves when cleaning to protect your skin. Open windows to provide ventilation as needed.
You’ll want to have a fire extinguisher, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, and extra batteries. It is also good to have plenty of non-perishable food and bottled water, in case power is out for a while. At a minimum, you should have enough food and water for 3 days on hand. The CDC recommends keeping 1 gallon of water per person per day. Don’t forget to think about your pets, as they will consume food and water, too. Also, check the food and water you store for emergencies at least once a year to use up or throw away food and water that is near or past its expiration date. [15] X Research source
The American Red Cross recommends that you have the following items in your first aid kit: adhesive bandages (25 in various sizes), adhesive cloth tape, absorbent compress dressings (2 5-by-9-inch dressings), 2 roller bandages (1 each 3 inch and 4 inch), sterile gauze pads (5 3-by-3-inch pads and 5 4-by-4-inch pads), and 2 triangular bandages. You’ll also need things like antibiotic ointment, antiseptic, aspirin, cold compresses, a breathing barrier (for CPR), hydrocortisone, non-latex gloves (in case of latex injuries), an oral thermometer, tweezers, a first aid booklet (available from places like the Red Cross store), and an emergency (space) blanket).
Learning first aid can teach you how to deal with injuries such as cuts, bruises, head injuries, and even broken bones. CPR helps you learn what to do when someone is choking or not breathing. [18] X Research source Check with your local American Red Cross to find first aid classes in your area.
To turn off the gas, turn the valve a quarter turn, using a wrench. The valve should now be perpendicular with the pipe. If it’s parallel, it means the gas line is open. [20] X Research source Note that some experts recommend keeping the gas line on unless you smell a leak, hear hissing, or notice the gas meter is running up quickly because once you turn it off, you will need to bring in a professional to make sure it is safe to turn it back on. [21] X Research source To turn off the electricity, find the circuit box. Turn off all the individual circuits and then turn off the main circuit. The power should remain off until a professional confirms that there are no gas leaks. [22] X Research source To turn off the water, find the main valve. Turn the handle clockwise until it is completely closed. You should leave the water off until you know it is safe to turn it back on. Your city should update you on whether the water is safe to drink or not.
Start by checking how much room is between the water heater and the wall. If you see more than an inch or two, you need to add a strip of wood to the wall using lag screws. The strip of wood should go down the length of the water heater, so it can’t tip backwards. Use heavy-gauge metal strapping to secure the water heater to the wall at the top. Start at the wall. Wrap it around the front and then all the way around the heater again. Push it back to the wall. You now have an end on either side to secure to the wall or the wood at the back. For wood, use lag screws with oversized washers. The screws should be at least 1/4" by 3". For concrete, you need 1/4" expansion bolts instead of screws. You can also by a commercial securing kit that has everything you need. Add another round of strapping to the bottom, and secure it. It’s also important to take out the rigid copper and metal pipping. Instead, use flexible connectors for both the gas and water, which are less likely to break in an earthquake.
You could say, for instance, that everyone comes home once the earthquake has passed, or that you meet at a nearby safe spot, such as a church. Also, consider designating a person who’s not in the same area as the contact person. For instance, you could designate one of your parents as the contact, so that other out-of-state people have someone to call to hear news. That way, you can deal with the emergency while your family can still hear news about you.
Books, vases, rocks, and other decorative items can fall off high shelves, crashing into people below. Move them so they are below head-level. Below waist-level is best, where they can do less damage. Try to attach heavy furniture, cupboards, and appliances to the walls or floor. Attaching objects to the walls or floors keeps them from moving or falling over in an earthquake. You can use nylon stripping or L-brackets to anchor furniture like china hutches or bookcases to the studs in the wall, though stripping will cause less damage to the furniture. [25] X Research source You can also use nylon straps or velcro to secure items like televisions to their furniture. [26] X Research source
