Depremi Tahmin Edemezsiniz Ama Deprem için Hazırlanabilirsiniz - You Can’t Predict an Earthquake, But You Can Prepare for One

You Can't Predict an Earthquake, But You Can Prepare for One

January 26, 2010

Dave Duncan

As the recent disaster in Haiti has shown, earthquakes leave a path of destruction and chaos in theirwakes.The US Geological Survey says an earthquakestrikessomewhere on Earth every 11 seconds and an estimated 10,000 earthquake-relateddeathsoccurworldwideevery year.

Most earthquake deaths involve victims being crushed undercollapsedstructures, but people also die in tsunamis (killer wavesstirred upat sea that comeashore),mudslides, fires and floods.

Manypopulatedareas of North America sit on high-risk earthquake zones and survival oftenhingeson being prepared.

Precautions Can Improve Survivability

You can't predict when an earthquake might occur, but you can take these steps to protect yourself at work and home:

• Identify the most structurally secure areas of your workplace and home. These are usually spots located away from windows and large moveable objects.
• Commit to memory these secure areas, which include spaces under desks, tables, or benches ordoor frameson inside walls, and be prepared to use them during an earthquake.
• At work and at home,ensurethat you're not sitting or standing in thepathof an object such as a large bookcase orfilingcabinet, which couldtip overand crush you during a strong earthquake. Heavy, tip-proneobjects should beboltedor wired tightly to walls. Never hang mirrors or other heavy objects above where people sit, work or sleep.
• At home, prepare an earthquake emergency kit containing non-perishablefood, water, medicine, first aid supplies, batteries, aflashlight, a battery-powered orcrank-powered radio, clothing and money.
• Take training incardiopulmonaryresuscitation(CPR) and first aid.

What Should I do During an Earthquake?

• Immediately take cover under a heavy object such as a desk and place your hands over your head.Braceyourself using your feet. Don't try to run outside, where you might be struck by fallingdebrisor power lines.
• If you're outside when an earthquake strikes, move to an open area away from buildings, trees and power lines.
• If you're near an ocean beach where a strong earthquake may have generated a tsunami, quickly move to higher ground.
• Stay away fromelevatorsduring an earthquake, but if you're inside one, press the buttons for all floors and get out as quickly as possible.
• If you're in your car or work vehicle,pull overaway from bridges,overpassesand buildings. Stay in your vehicle until the quake ends.
• If you're in a crowded space, stay away from doors. People may panic andbolt,rampleothers.

What to do Once the Quake Ends

• Relyonly on emergency lighting or flashlights. Don't turn on any other lights, sinceleakingnatural gas lines could cause an explosion.
• Get outside to a clear, open area away from any structures that might suddenly collapse. This area should be designated as part of your employer's emergency preparedness plan and all workers should know to gather there for ahead count.
• Check yourself and others for injuries and call for necessary emergency help.
• Never re-enter a damaged building after an earthquake. It could be weakened and collapse without warning hours or days later.
• Expect aftershocks in the hours and days following an earthquake.

Conclusion

If you live in an earthquake-prone area, you can't benonchalantabout your safety. Planning iscriticalindramaticallyboostingyouroddsof surviving a strong earthquake.

http://www.safetyxchange.org/hot-topics/emergency-preparedness-hot-topics/predict-earthquake-prepare