What Should We Do During and After an Earthquake?

What should we do during and after an earthquake? How can we best protect ourselves and those around us? Here’s a step-by-step guide on what you can do based on where you are during and after an earthquake.

Create a Triangle of Life During an Earthquake!

  • Stay away from unsecured furniture, shelves, windows, and similar items.
  • In a classroom or office, take cover under or beside a sturdy desk or table. In the corridor, crouch against a wall to create a triangle of life with the “Drop, Cover, Hold On” technique to protect your head and neck.
  • Avoid unsecured furniture, shelves, windows, and similar items. If possible, crouch next to a sturdy table supported by solid chairs or near a large, sturdy piece of furniture, such as a filled sofa or chest, to create a protective triangle.
  • Cover your head with your hands or a protective object (such as a pillow or a book). Stay in this position until the shaking stops.
  • In short, find a safe place, drop to your knees, cover your head and neck, and hold on to something stable to avoid falling.

What to Do During an Earthquake

If you are inside a building during the earthquake:

  1. Do not panic.
  2. Do not run to stairs or exits.
  3. Do not go to the balcony.
  4. Do not jump from balconies or windows.
  5. Do not use the elevator.
  6. Do not use phones except for emergency and fire reports.
  7. Do not light matches or lighters and avoid touching electrical switches.
  8. If in a wheelchair, lock the wheels and protect your head and neck.
  9. In kitchens, laboratories, or areas with equipment, turn off the stove, oven, and similar devices, and move away from materials that may spill or cause hazards.
  10. After the shaking stops, turn off gas, water, and electricity valves, and extinguish stoves and heaters.
  11. Stay away from windows and glass furniture.
  12. Gather necessary items and exit the building immediately through the pre-identified route to the designated assembly area.
  13. It is crucial to follow evacuation instructions posted on room doors or directed by building managers.

If you are outside during the earthquake:

  1. Stay away from power lines, poles, trees, other buildings, and walls. Crouch on open ground and be prepared for potential dangers.
  2. Avoid areas prone to landslides or falling rocks.
  3. If in such a situation, quickly move to a safe place.
  4. Be cautious of falling debris such as chimneys, broken glass, and plaster from buildings.
  5. Be careful of potential hazards from underground sewage, electricity, and gas lines.
  6. Stay away from the coastline.

If you are in a car during the earthquake:

  1. Stop the vehicle away from electric poles and bridges. Leave the vehicle in a safe, open area, turning off the engine.
  2. If you are in a tunnel and far from the exit, stop the vehicle, lower the windows, and lie down with your knees to your chest, protecting your head and neck (Drop, Cover, Hold On).
  3. If you are in a closed parking lot, exit the vehicle and lie down beside it, protecting your head and neck. Falling debris may crush the vehicle, but it will likely not destroy it. However, if you stay inside, you could be crushed by debris falling onto the car.

If you are in the metro or other public transport during the earthquake:

  1. Do not exit the metro or train unless absolutely necessary. You could be electrocuted, or another train might hit you.
  2. Remain inside the metro or train and hold onto a firmly fixed handle or rail. Follow any instructions given by metro or train staff.

What to Do After the Earthquake

If you are inside a building:

  1. First, ensure your own safety.
  2. Then check if anyone around you needs help.
  3. Fires following earthquakes are common secondary disasters. If you smell gas, turn off the gas valve, open windows and doors, and evacuate the building immediately.
  4. Clean up any spilled hazardous materials.
  5. Place the telephone receiver back on the base if it has fallen off.
  6. Take your emergency bag and head to the designated neighborhood meeting point.
  7. Listen to public warnings and instructions via radio or TV.
  8. Keep roads and streets clear for emergency vehicles.
  9. After a major earthquake, there will likely be aftershocks. These typically become less frequent and smaller over time, but they can still cause damage to already weakened buildings. Avoid entering damaged buildings until the shaking has completely stopped. During aftershocks, follow the same safety procedures as during the initial earthquake.

If you are outside:

  1. Be aware of surrounding damage and take note of it.
  2. Stay away from damaged buildings and power lines.
  3. First, help anyone in need of urgent assistance nearby.
  4. Then head to the designated assembly area.
  5. Participate in rescue efforts and assist vulnerable individuals (elderly, babies, pregnant women, disabled people).

If you are trapped under rubble:

  1. Stay calm and assess your situation.
  2. If your movement is restricted, avoid taking risky actions to escape.
  3. Know that rescue teams will make every effort to reach you as soon as possible.
  4. Conserve energy and avoid unnecessary movements.
  5. If you can use your hands or feet, tap on the floor, pipes, or other surfaces to alert rescuers to your location.
  6. If you can make sounds, listen for rescuers’ voices and try calling out to them. However, conserve your energy.