Earthquake preparedness

Table of Contents

Earthquakes don’t kill but buildings do, and therefore seismogenic losses can be averted by building structures using earthquake safe construction practices, and improving seismic performance of old structures using retrofitting technique together with non-structural retrofitting.
Follow BIS codes relevant to your area for building standards.
Repair deep plaster cracks in ceilings and foundations.
Repair defective electrical wiring, and leaky gas connections. These are potential fire risks.
Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects.

Anchor overhead lighting fixtures to the ceiling.
Fasten shelves securely to walls.
Secure water heaters, LPG cylinders, and others, by strapping these to the walls or bolting to the floor.
Anchor heavy furniture, cupboards, and appliances to the walls or floor.
Fasten television, and computers securely to walls.
Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and bone China articles in low, closed cabinets with latches.
Hang heavy items such as pictures, and mirrors away from beds, settees, and anywhere that people sit.
Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.
Store gas cylinders at safe place.
Don’t leave heavy objects on shelves as these would fall during a quake.
Don’t keep flower pots on the parapet.

Under sturdy furniture such as a heavy desk, table, dining table, or bed.
Corners, and against inside wall.
Against reinforced columns.
Away from where glass could shatter around windows, mirrors, pictures, or where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could fall over.
Below the doorway.

In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone and electrical lines,flyovers, bridges, overpasses or elevated expressways.
Away from steep slopes, and landslide zones.

Make sure all family members know how to respond during an earthquake.
Keep stock of drinking water, foodstuff and first-aid equipment in accessible place.
Contact representatives of the gas, electric, and water supply agencies, and be conversant on shutting off utilities.
Teach all family members how, and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water supply.
Know emergency telephone numbers; such as those of doctors, hospitals, the police, and others.
Teach children how, and when to call police, or fire department, and which radio station to tune for emergency information.
Learn first aid, keep first aid box together with required medicines.
Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, and extra batteries at home.
Decide a place where your family would reunite after an earthquake.
Be conversant with the earthquake plan of your school or workplace.
Conduct an exercise on locating hazards in the home; hazard hunt.
Participate in earthquake drills.
Work with local emergency services and officials to identify persons with high vulnerability in your community.
Work together in your community to apply your knowledge to building codes, retrofitting programmes, hazard hunts, and neighborhood and family emergency plans.

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