When the ground is rumbling every second counts. Panic is not an option. Refusing to panic can save your life. If you can feel a tremor, you are close enough to the epicenter (or blast) for there to be structural damage in your area. These guidelines may help you live through such an event.

BASIC RULES

Within reach of your bed and your work station, keep sturdy shoes and a working flashlight. Keep a set of clothes that is easy to slip on beside your bed. If a tremor begins while you are in bed, remain there until the shaking stops. After the shaking has ended, get dressed and put on your shoes. Bare feet are no match for broken glass, and light shoes won’t last long in rough terrain.

DUCK * COVER * HOLD

IF YOU ARE LOCATED INDOORS kneel next to an interior, weight-bearing wall. Get beneath something solid such as a strong table. Use your hands to protect your neck and head. Take a firm hold of the object you are beneath to keep yourself steady.

IF YOU ARE LOCATED IN A HIGH-RISE get beneath something sturdy. Use your arms and hands to shield your head and neck. Grasp the object shielding you to steady yourself. Use the stairwell exit. During an earthquake or fire DON’T use an elevator.

WHEN OUTSIDE

Observe where the large trees and power lines are located. If these fall, they are dangerous. Overhead hazards like these should be avoided. Try to position yourself in an open space in order to avoid falling objects. In the city you should avoid standing near high buildings. As much as 2 to 13 feet of glass could cover city streets below high rise buildings.

IF YOU ARE IN AN AUTOMOBILE

Remain in your automobile. Try to position yourself away from overhead hazards. Don’t place your vehicle under any protrusions. Remain in your car even if it is beneath a bridge during an earthquake. Tires will act as a cushioning (and insulation) if heavy debris fall onto your automobile. If you are on an open roadway, pull over to the side of the road (don’t block the road). Wait for the quaking to end. Use your radio to track reports and get further instructions.

WHEN THE TREMMOR SUBSIDES

It is likely that aftershocks will follow an earthquake so you should be ready to again DUCK, COVER and HOLD. Examine yourself for injuries. Get a flashlight. In the event of gas leaks, a flashlight will be MUCH safer to use than a candle. If you are at home, locate everyone in your household. Move everyone to a safe place that you’ve agreed upon beforehand. Once you’ve accounted for everyone, walk around the perimeter of the house, checking for structural damage such as large cracks or obvious leaning.

Don’t turn off natural gas until instructed by authorities. Listen to AM radio for updates/news from the Emergency Broadcast Network regarding where to go for help.

Look for your pets. Soothe and reassure them. Place them on a leash or restraint for several hours until you are SURE they are calm and not prone to running away. This will also help prevent bites that occur due to anxiety.

FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCTS

Respect the role that instincts play in survival. Make a note of the behavior of birds and animals. Did you know that on Monday, May 5th of 2008, frogs in China began a mass migration that took them across streets and roads? A few days later (May 12th) a 7.8 magnitude quake killed nearly 10,000 people in central China.

USE CAUTION

These guidelines are offered as suggestions. Considering your course of action ahead of time will increase your likelihood of survival if you find yourself in an earthquake. This advice is not meant to take the place of professional emergency aid. The reader assumes all liability when utilizing these measures.