FRAMEWORK FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

What to Do Before an Earthquake

Have a disaster emergency kit ready

1.    Battery operated torch with extra batteries
2.    Battery operated radio
3.    First aid kit and manual
4.    Emergency food (dry items) and water (packed and sealed)
5.    Candles and matches in a waterproof container
6.    Knife
7.    Chlorine tablets or powdered water purifiers
8.    Can opener.
9.    Essential medicines
10.    Cash and credit cards
11.    Thick ropes and cords
12.    Sturdy shoes

Develop an emergency communication plan

1.    In case family members are separated from one another during an earthquake (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), develop a    plan for reuniting after the disaster.
2.    Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the 'family contact' after the disaster; it is often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

Develop an emergency communication plan

1.    Publish a special section in your local newspaper with emergency information on earthquakes. Localize the information by printing the phone numbers of local emergency services offices and hospitals.
2.    Conduct week-long series on locating hazards in the home.
3.    Work with local emergency services and officials to prepare special reports for people with mobility impairment on what to do during an earthquake.
4.    Provide tips on conducting earthquake drills in the home.
5.    ) Interview representatives of the gas, electric, and water companies about shutting off utilities.
6.    Work together in your community to apply your knowledge to building codes, retrofitting programmes, hazard hunts, and neighborhood and family emergency plans.

DURING EARTHQUAKE

Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps that reach a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

If indoors

1.    DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there is no a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
2.    Protect yourself by staying under the lintel of an inner door, in the corner of a room, under a table or even under a bed.
3.    Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, (such as lighting fixtures or furniture).
4.    Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
5.    Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, load bearing doorway.
6.    Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
7.    Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms

If outdoors

1.    Do not move from where you are. However, move away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and utility wires.
2.    If you are in open space, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings; at exits; and alongside exterior walls. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If in a moving vehicle

1.    Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
2.   Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.



If trapped under debris

1.    Do not light a match.
2.    Do not move about or kick up dust.
3.    Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
4.   Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
1.    In case family members are separated from one another during an earthquake (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), develop a    plan for reuniting after the disaster.
2.    Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the 'family contact' after the disaster; it is often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.

FLOOD/FLASHFLOOD

1)   Obey orders by government and shift to a safer place.
2)   Be at safe place and they try to collect correct information.
3)   Switch of electrical supply and don’t touch open wires.
4)   Don’t get carried away by rumors and don not spread rumors.

DO's

1.    Switch off electrical and gas appliances, and turn off services off at the mains.
2.    Carry your emergency kit and let your friends and family know where you are going.
3.    Avoid contact with flood water it may be contaminated with sewage,oil,chemicals or other substances.
4.    If you have to walk in standing water, use a pole or stick to ensure that you do not step into deep water, open manholes or ditches.
5.    Stay away from power lines electrical current can travel through water, Report power lines that are down to the power company.
6.    Look before you step-after a flood, the ground and floors are covered with debris, which may include broken bottles, sharp objects, nails etc.Floors and stairs covered with mud and debris can be slippery.
7.   Listen to the radio or television for updates and information.
8.    If the ceiling is wet shut off electricity. Place a bucket underneath the spot and poke a small hole into the ceiling to relieve the pressure.
9.    Use buckets,clean towels and mops to remove as much of the water from the afflicted rooms as possible.
10.    Place sheets of aluminium foil between furniture wet carpet.

Don’ts

1.    Don't walk through flowing water - currents can be deceptive, and shallow, fast moving water can knock you off your feet.
2.    Don't swim through fast flowing water - you may get swept away or struck by an object in the water.
3.    Don't drive through a flooded area - You may not be able to see abrupt drop - offs and only half a meter of flood water can carry a car away. Driving through flood water can also cause additional damage to nearby property.
4.    Don't eat any food that has come into contact with flood water.
5.    Don't reconnect your power supply until a qualified engineer has checked it. Be alert for gas leaks - do not smoke or use candles, lanterns, or open flames.
6.   Don't scrub or brush mud and other deposits from materials, This may cause further damage.
7.    Never turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. Stay away from ceilings those are sagging.
8.    Never use TVs, VCRS, CRT terminals or other electrical equipment while standing on wet floors, especially concrete.
9.    Don't attempt to remove standing water using your vacuum cleaner.
10.    Don't remove standing water in a basement too fast. If the pressure is relieved too quickly it may put undue stress on the walls.

DO's

1.    When you find yourself in a fire at home, work or in school, make sure to escape the place first.
2.   When your outside and free from danger, immediately call for the fire department.
3.    It’s protocol for every establishment to discuss routes in case emergencies happen. As a responsible worker or citizen, it is always recommended to familiarize yourself with the escape routes or exits so you’ll know where to go in cases like these.
4.    Composed and calm are the magic words to escape without serious injuries. Always remember to calmly evacuate any place when a fire alarm goes off or a carbon monoxide alarm sounds.
5.   Stay low to the floor when smoke starts to build up in a place you’re located or when you’re on your way to evacuate the place.
6.   It’s always best to know where the fire extinguishers are during a fire alarm so that you can initially help with putting out the fire, but make sure that you have enough knowledge on how to use such equipment.

Don’ts

1.    Similar to any other emergencies, do not use the elevators during an evacuation. Smoke may be trapped inside since it’s an enclosed area and too much smoke is hazardous which may cause fatal problems.
2.    Don’t leave candles, barbecue grills or other open flames unattended to avoid any fire to break.
3.    Your life matters more than your material possessions. Always put yourself first when a fire alarm sounds. Do not collect your things while you evacuate because other than it causes extra baggage, your life can’t be replaced unlike these material things.
4.   Do not return to the affected area when you have evacuated. Let the firemen do their job because they have been trained for it. In short, don’t risk your life.
5.    When a fire alarm breaks, do not hide in any room or any closed area, but always try to find an escape route or proceed immediately to the emergency exit.