Soon after an earthquake, the National Weather Service typically posts online whether or not a tsunami is expected. Initial mild shaking may strengthen and become extremely strong within seconds. What to do AFTER an Earthquake. Gas leaks often cause fires to break out after an earthquake. Don't light matches or use a lighter that could cause gas in the air to explode. Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that follow a larger earthquake. During an earthquake it's a big mistake to stand next to a window, under a big mirror or a heavy lighting fixture, or next to a wall. It is important to find out what health centers and hospitals are functioning. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe after an earthquake by following the recommendations below. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. What should I do after the earthquake stops? If you're in a car, stop the car and stay inside the car until the earthquake stops. Carefully check your home’s walls, floors, doors, windows, and staircases for damage. Car or solar chargers for cell phones You might not have electricity for a while after a quake, but you’ll certainly want to contact loved ones. During and after an earthquake, it is natural to experience different and strong emotions. The risk for injury during and after an earthquake is high. Your state, tribal, local, or territorial health department can make specific recommendations for boiling or treating water in your area. Damaged buildings, damaged power lines, and leaking gas and water lines are just a few of the hazards you might face after an earthquake. Provide First Aid.
Hold on, and protect your head with a pillow. DO NOT run outside or to other rooms during an earthquake. 4. Regardless, remember that earthquake early warnings give you limited time and do not predict earthquakes. During an earthquake, you do NOT want that to happen! What to Do After an Earthquake Easy Ways to Prepare for an Earthquake With a little bit of preparation, you can avoid some of the biggest problems associated with earthquakes, and get back on your feet more quickly after a major event. True- if you live in an old, unreinforced adobe house or … If outdoors, stay away from buildings, trees and power lines. Children's Needs. If you see structural damage, like cracks in the foundation or missing support beams, you may need to relocate to a shelter or another safe location. But there are many important things we can do before, during, and after an earthquake to protect ourselves, our homes, and our families. Don't use matches, candles, or any flame. Health services may also have suffered structural damage and are not always able see patients. Never use portable gasoline or coal-burning equipment or camp stoves inside your home, basement, or garage. DO NOT turn on the gas again if you turned it off; let the gas company do it DO NOT use matches, lighters, camp stoves or barbecues, electrical equipment, appliances UNTIL you are sure there are no... DO NOT use … Use a whistle if one is available. From this came our belief that a doorway is the safest place to be during an earthquake. Inside Precaution. Ensure you do the following if you are trapped under debris during or after an earthquake: Do not light a match. The water could still shut off and you'll want to have a supply in case you're without running water for an extended period of time. CDC twenty four seven. Seek Out Power Lines. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe after an earthquake by following the recommendations below. Damaged buildings, damaged power lines, and leaking gas and water lines are just a few of the hazards you might face after an earthquake. Unfortunately, most people aren't in an open meadow when earthquakes hit. Always stay near lit candles. Essentials for your survival kit after an earthquake hits. If you live near the ocean. Avoid windows, hanging objects, mirrors, tall furniture, large appliances and cabinets filled with heavy objects. CHECK FOOD AND WATER SUPPLIES--Do not eat or drink anything from open containers near shattered glass If power is off, plan meals to use up foods that will spoil quickly or frozen foods (food in the freezer should be good for at least a couple of days) Don't … If you smell or hear gas (often identified by a hissing noise), then open windows and leave the house or building as soon as possible. Follow instructions from local authorities — they may direct you to a different route than you had planned. If you need to get out of the building, take the stairs. Listen to reports from local officials for advice on water precautions in your home. Broken gas lines and fire don't mix. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust. Use Radio, Don’t Use Cell Phone. Do not leave any heavy items on shelves, because they will fall off the shelves during an earthquake. Protect your mouth, nose, and eyes from dust. Often people tend to others without checking their own injuries. Administer any first aid that you are qualified to administer. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. Read the National Fire Protection Association’s. Stay away from wild or stray animals after an earthquake. But hold off. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings rush to move to another location inside the building or outside. Use a flashlight to check utilities and do not shut them off … Do not light matches or turn on light switches until you are sure there are no gas leaks or flammable liquids spilled. Watch out for fallen power lines that may be hanging overhead. Outside isn't safer than inside, if you stand next to power lines, streetlights, … DO NOT stand in a doorway: An enduring earthquake image of California is a collapsed adobe home with the door frame as the only standing part. Outside isn't safer than inside, if you stand next to power lines, streetlights, buildings, etc. Do not move around or kick up dust. But being on top? What's going on outside? If you are inside, stay inside.
If the quake KO's the power in your area, you might get trapped inside the building. STAY CALM and ALERT. What To Do After an Earthquake. 1. Health and Safety Concerns for All Disasters, American Red Cross Earthquake Safetyexternal icon, FEMA’s Earthquake Safety Checklist pdf icon[PDF – 3.5 MB]external icon, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A earthquake of that magnitude so close to the most densely populated portion of the state put a lot of people at great risk for injury, or even death. Earthquakes can damage buildings and make them unsafe. !function(a){var e="https://s.go-mpulse.net/boomerang/",t="addEventListener";if("False"=="True")a.BOOMR_config=a.BOOMR_config||{},a.BOOMR_config.PageParams=a.BOOMR_config.PageParams||{},a.BOOMR_config.PageParams.pci=!0,e="https://s2.go-mpulse.net/boomerang/";if(window.BOOMR_API_key="Z5DRH-SSKMH-6DEVX-25BM9-PKGNP",function(){function n(e){a.BOOMR_onload=e&&e.timeStamp||(new Date).getTime()}if(!a.BOOMR||!a.BOOMR.version&&!a.BOOMR.snippetExecuted){a.BOOMR=a.BOOMR||{},a.BOOMR.snippetExecuted=!0;var i,_,o,r=document.createElement("iframe");if(a[t])a[t]("load",n,!1);else if(a.attachEvent)a.attachEvent("onload",n);r.src="javascript:void(0)",r.title="",r.role="presentation",(r.frameElement||r).style.cssText="width:0;height:0;border:0;display:none;",o=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0],o.parentNode.insertBefore(r,o);try{_=r.contentWindow.document}catch(O){i=document.domain,r.src="javascript:var d=document.open();d.domain='"+i+"';void(0);",_=r.contentWindow.document}_.open()._l=function(){var a=this.createElement("script");if(i)this.domain=i;a.id="boomr-if-as",a.src=e+"Z5DRH-SSKMH-6DEVX-25BM9-PKGNP",BOOMR_lstart=(new Date).getTime(),this.body.appendChild(a)},_.write("
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After an Earthquake. Do not use contaminated water to make baby formula, make ice, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, wash your hands, or wash dishes. Anything that could fall over during an earthquake and land on a person is a hazard. Watch out for falling objects, glass windows, shelves, cabinets, and other heavy objects that may cause injury. After an earthquake, you may experience aftershocks. Better to stay put until the shaking stops. If driving, move away from overpasses, stop slowly in a safe area, and stay in your vehicle. If you are trapped in debris, do not move so that you will not kick up any dust around you. Fear is a normal reaction to danger. If you must use candles, keep them away from anything that can catch fire. Check yourself for injuries. What should I NOT do during an earthquake? If your home is equipped with … Check for injuries among your family members and neighbors. Stay off bridges. Outside isn't safer than inside, if you stand next to power lines, streetlights, … Try to stay calm and … Leave your home or building if you hear shifting or unusual noises. Keep a fire extinguisher handy, and make sure your family knows how to use it. Sparks from electrical switches could ignite gas, causing an explosion. Make a run for the exit door and avoid stopping by the kitchen for anything at all! If you're in your car when the quake hits, the last thing you want to do is drive over a bridge or ramp that might have been damaged. 1. Stay away from windows or brick masonry (like fireplaces), bookcases, china cabinets and mirrors. This can include equipment like generators, pressure washers, charcoal grills, and camp stoves. Saving Lives, Protecting People, Natural Disasters, Severe Weather, and COVID-19, American Red Cross – Checking Your Home: Structural Elements, Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After an Emergency, protect yourself from animals or pests after a disaster, keep food and water safe after a disaster, take care of your emotional health after a disaster, National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR), Natural Disasters and COVID-19: Preparedness Information for Specific Groups, COVID-19 Resources for Professionals & Emergency Workers, Reduce Exposure to Wildfire Smoke during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Generic Plans for COVID-19 Specimen Testing and Management During a Hurricane, Protecting Vulnerable Groups from Extreme Heat, Information for Professionals and Response Workers, Information for Organized Sporting Events, Epidemiologic Methods for Relief Operations, How to Help Loved Ones in Hurricane-Affected Areas, Resources for Emergency Health Professionals, Fact Sheet: Protection from Animal and Insect Hazards, Clinical Guidance for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, CO Poisoning: Flyers and Educational Materials, Checklist for Reopening Healthcare Facilities, Prevent Illness and Injury After a Disaster, Immunization Recommendations for Individuals, Immunization Recommendations for Responders, Preventing Chain Saw Injuries During Tree Removal After a Disaster, Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event, Coping After a Natural Disaster: Resources for Teens, Finding a New Normal: Life After a Natural Disaster, Healthy Ways to Deal with Stress after a Natural Disaster, Helping Teens Cope After a Natural Disaster, Resources for State and Local Governments, Emergency Responders: Tips for taking care of yourself, Infection Control Guidance for Community Evacuation Centers, Respiratory Infections in Evacuation Centers, Medical Management and Patient Advisement, Human Trafficking in the Wake of a Disaster, Guidelines for a Diapering Station in Evacuation Centers, Interim Guidelines for Animal Health and Control of Disease Transmission in Pet Shelters, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Think yelling is the best way to attract rescuers' attention if you're trapped inside a building? Check yourself for injuries and get first aid, if necessary, before helping injured or trapped persons. Visit Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After an Emergency for more information. Get to higher ground as far inland as possible. [18] X Research source Thanks! Each time you feel an aftershock, practice duck, cover, and hold on techniques. Choose earthquake-safe locations in every room of your house, office, school, or any place that you go to on a regular basis. Seek Out Power Lines. You can’t smell or see carbon monoxide, but if it builds up in your home, it can cause sudden illness and death. 2. Only exception? After an earthquake, aftershocks are expected. Be on the lookout for small fires and extinguish them, if … Take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones during cleanup after an earthquake. Throw away perishable foods that have not been refrigerated properly due to power outages; also discard foods with an unusual odor, color, or texture. If you are able, help others. If you have a CO detector and it starts beeping, leave your home right away and call 911. Stay clear of fallen power lines. Temporary health care services will be organized by health authorities. Wait until local authorities tell you it is safe to go inside. You are … Send a text, bang on a wall or a pipe, or use a whistle to help rescuers find you. Turn off cooking appliances if it is safe to do so before taking cover. If you feel an aftershock, DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON. Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0 A child may be afraid of recurrence, injury, or death after an earthquake. Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing. Listen to receive emergency information and instructions from your battery-operated TV or radio, social media, or cell phone text alerts. These appliances can potentially start a fire if left unattended. Better to tap on a pipe or wall - or blow a whistle, if one happens to be handy. You will be better able to care for others if you are not injured or if you have received first aid for your injuries. After an earthquake, make sure that all injuries are thoroughly evaluated by health workers. Save phone calls for emergencies – text messages may be more reliable. Water pipes and gas and electrical lines are all susceptible to damage during an earthquake. Stay away from buildings (stuff might fall off the building or the building could fall on you). Best to leave that to your imagination. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Strange noises could mean the building is about to fall. Check gas, electrical, and water lines for damage. 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