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 their wakes.geminin suda arkasında bıraktığı iz The US Geological Survey says an earthquake strikes vurmak somewhere on Earth every 11 seconds and an estimated 10,000 earthquake-related ilgili deaths occur meydana gelmek worldwide dünya çapında every year.
Most earthquake deaths involve victims being crushed under collapsed çökmüş structures, but people also die in tsunamis (killer waves stirred up ayağa kaldırmak at sea that come ashore karaya),mudslides toprak kayması, fires and floods.
Many populated kalabalık areas of North America sit on high-risk earthquake zones and survival often hinges dayanak on 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 or door frames kapı kasası on inside walls, and be prepared to use them during an earthquake.
- At work and at home,ensure emniyete almak that you're not sitting or standing in the path yol of an object such as a large bookcase or filing dosyalama cabinet, which could tip over devrilmek and crush you during a strong earthquake. Heavy, tip-prone meyilli objects should be bolted civatalamak or 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-perishable çabuk çürüyen food, water, medicine, first aid supplies, batteries, a flashlight işaret feneri, a battery-powered or crank krankla çalıştırmak-powered radio, clothing and money.
- Take training in cardiopulmonary kalp ve ciğerle ilgili resuscitation diriltme(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.Brace sıkı tutmak. yourself using your feet. Don't try to run outside, where you might be struck by falling debris enkaz or 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 from elevators asansör; kaldırıcı during 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 over kenara çekmek away from bridges,overpasses üst geçit and buildings. Stay in your vehicle until the quake ends.
- If you're in a crowded space, stay away from doors. People may panic and bolt kaçmak,rample saldırmak others.
What to do Once the Quake Ends
- Rely itimat etmek. only on emergency lighting or flashlights. Don't turn on any other lights, since leaking sızdırmak natural 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 a head count bir yerde bulunan insanların sayısı.
- 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 be nonchalant kayıtsız about your safety. Planning is critical ciddi in dramatically önemli ölçüde boosting artırmak your odds olasılık of surviving a strong earthquake.