Emergency Earthquake Preparation - What You Should Know

There are many places, in the United States and abroad, in which silent terrors turn innocent citizens into victims. Earthquakes can strike at anytime, in any place. Some places prove to be more likely to have earthquakes. Places like San Francisco, Mexico, Baguio, Baguio in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan have all been victimized by earthquakes, and many people have been caught unaware of what to do.

Although you cannot stop an earthquake or even predict when an earthquake will happen, you can do everything possible to prepare for it. The cities help prevent falling buildings in towns prone to earthquakes by building them with earthquakes in mind.

One way you can personally prepare for earthquakes is to educate yourself about what to do when one strikes. If you are caught in an earthquake, you should keep your head down and stay away from any heavy objects that can fall onto you. You can seek refuge under a table or in a doorway. If you have access to somewhere with no chance of falling trees or power lines, you should immediately leave whatever building you are in, and head for that area.

You can also have an emergency kit available in case of an earthquake. In this kit you should include flashlights, and extra batteries, along with non-perishable food items and water. Medical supplies such as Band-Aids, antiseptic wipes, peroxide, ace-bandages, and gloves are also a good idea to pack in your kit.

If you happen to be driving when the earthquake starts, it is suggested that you stay in your car for the duration of the earthquake. If you are in a grocery store or a shopping mall, be sure to steer clear of heavy shelves and other objects likely to fall. If you are in a crowded public area, like a sports arena, never run for safety. You are more likely to get hurt if you join the crowd of running people. You should stay in your seat and wait for the earthquake to subside.

Oftentimes most of the injuries caused by earthquakes are not caused by the quake itself, but by the panic associated with it. One way to avoid these types of injuries is to have a plan of action in case of an emergency. The more prepared you are for the emergency; the more likely you are to come out on top of the emergency. Never think that you or your area is immune to earthquakes. Just because they are not very common in your area does not mean that they could not happen. By being prepared and following the above safety times, you are increasing your chances of coming out on top of the situation.