If during an earthquake you are indoors, do you know what to do? Many modern buildings are designed to withstand moderate earthquakes and are relatively safe. However, you are still in danger from falling objects and other debris. To save yourself, you must prepare yourself in advance and also know what to do if an earthquake hits your area.
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Part 1 of 3: Staying Safe Indoors During Earthquake
Step 1. Stay indoors
During an earthquake, you may be tempted to run outside. After all, nothing will fall on you out there. However, you probably won't make it out until things start to fall apart. So, it's best to find a safe place indoors rather than trying to get out.
Step 2. Take precautions
If possible, take precautions before the earthquake gets bigger. This step is most important in the kitchen, what you do there can cause problems when an earthquake occurs.
- The main thing you should do is make sure the stove is off before you take cover immediately. The stove can start a fire if you leave it on.
- If you are near a burning candle, try to turn it off if you have time.
Step 3. Crouch on the floor
The safest place for you during an earthquake is the floor. However, don't lay down. Instead, crawl.
Crawling is the best position for two reasons. First, this position gives you the opportunity to move if necessary. Second, this position gives you some protection from falling objects
Step 4. Find a safe place
The best place for you during an earthquake is under the table. The table provides protection from falling objects. The table is also the right choice.
- Stay away from the kitchen. Also stay away from fireplaces, large appliances, glass, and heavy furniture as they can injure you. If you can't hide under a table, lean against an interior wall, and protect your head.
- In large buildings, stay away from windows and exterior walls if possible. Also, don't enter the elevator. Most modern buildings are built to withstand earthquakes because they are built to be flexible. In older buildings, you may be a little safer on higher floors, but you shouldn't try to move to another floor during an earthquake.
- The doorway is not the safest place in a modern home because it is no stronger than the rest of the house. In addition, you can still be hit by objects that fall or fly in the doorway.
Step 5. Maintain your position
Once you find a safe position, stay there. Do not move from that position until the earthquake is over. Remember, many earthquakes are followed by aftershocks.
- Make sure you hold on to whatever is your shelter. This will help you maintain balance.
- If the furniture you are sheltering in shifts, stay sheltered there. An earthquake will probably shift it to its original place.
Step 6. Stay in bed
If you are in bed, do not try to get up. You're safer there than trying to move elsewhere, especially if you stagger. You run the risk of getting hurt by broken glass if you try to roll out of bed.
- Take a pillow and place it over your head. This step can protect the head from falling objects.
- You can also try covering with a blanket, which can protect against shards of glass.
Step 7. Protect your head and face
Whether you're under furniture or not, try using something to protect your head and face. For example, pillows or sofa cushions can provide some protection. However, don't waste time looking for something if the earthquake gets bigger. Also, don't leave your shelter in search of a face shield.
Step 8. Try to stay calm
Remember that the calmer you are, the more reasonable your decision will be. When you are confused or panicked, you will not be able to make the best decisions for the safety of yourself and others. Sometimes, remembering that your calm is very important is the key to staying calm.
You can also try taking deep, calming breaths. For example, try counting to four while inhaling, then trying to count to four as you exhale. Breathing deeply can help you stay relaxed even when the earth really vibrates around you
Part 2 of 3: Dealing with Post-Earthquake Situations
Step 1. Don't start a fire
While it may be tempting to light a fire or candle during a power outage, don't do so as doing so can be dangerous after an earthquake. If your gas line is leaking, you could set the whole house on fire with sparks. Instead, look for a flashlight.
Step 2. Check for cuts
Observe yourself and those around you, check for any serious injuries. Serious injuries include head injuries, broken bones, or severe injuries.
- If there is an injury that requires immediate attention, treat it first. If wound care can be delayed for a while, check your home first as gas leaks or electrical breakdowns can pose a more dangerous threat.
- Provide first aid as needed. For example, bandage any wound according to your first aid manual. If you have an untreatable wound, call the emergency telephone numbers 118 or 119. However, keep in mind that emergency services will be very busy. So, do whatever handling you can.
Step 3. Check for damage to the building
If any part of the house looks damaged, don't hesitate. For example, you may notice walls or floors collapsing or cracking. If you're not sure if an area is safe, get out of the house. Do not live in an unsafe building and it may fall on you.
Step 4. Check the infrastructure of the house
Walk around the house looking for damage. The main things you need to look for right now are gas leaks, water leaks, and electrical breakdowns.
- Make sure you sniff around the house. Smell is the primary way for you to tell if there is a gas leak, although you may also hear a hissing sound. If you smell or hear gas hissing, turn off the main gas valve. You should already know how to do this step if you have prepared for an earthquake in method one. Also, open the windows and get out of the house. Contact your gas company to notify them of the leak.
- Look for electrical faults. If you see damaged wires or sparks, turn off the power immediately.
- If you see a water leak, turn off the main water supply. If you're short on water, consider alternative water sources, such as thawed ice cubes, water from a water heater, and water from canned fruit and vegetables.
Step 5. Pay attention to information from the authorities regarding water and sewer damage
This information is likely to be broadcast on radio or television. You need to check if the water supply is still safe to drink. Also, you need to make sure that the drain is intact before flushing the toilet.
Step 6. Remove harmful substances
If a hazardous substance is spilled, you should clean it up as quickly as possible. For example, cleaning fluids can be dangerous, especially when mixed with other substances. Also clean up the spilled medicine.
- Wear gloves when cleaning to protect your skin.
- Open windows to provide ventilation as needed.
Step 7. Stay out of the way
Roads must be smooth so that emergency vehicles can easily pass. For this reason, stay away from the road as much as possible because this will facilitate access for emergency vehicles.
Part 3 of 3: Preparing Homes for Earthquakes
Step 1. Save supplies
If you live in an earthquake-prone area, such as Yogyakarta and the southern coast of Java, make sure you are prepared in case of an earthquake. Storing supplies is one way to prepare yourself so you have what you need in the event of a disaster.
- Have a fire extinguisher, battery-powered radio, flashlight, and spare batteries ready.
- Storing lots of non-perishable food and bottled water is also a good move, if the power goes out for a while. At a minimum, you should have enough food and water for 3 days.
- The Ministry of Health recommends storing 4 liters of water per person per day. Don't forget to think about your pets as they will also consume food and water. Also check the food and water you store for emergencies at least once a year for an expiration date, or to discard food and water that is near or past its expiration date.
Step 2. Buy or build a first aid kit
In an earthquake, injuries can occur. Setting up a first aid kit can help you manage minor injuries, especially since the emergency room is likely to be overcrowded. You can buy ready-made kits or collect supplies to make your own.
- The Indonesian Red Cross recommends that you prepare the following items in your first aid kit: adhesive bandages (25 pieces in various sizes), adhesive cloth tape, absorbent compress cloth (2 pieces of 12 x 22 cm cloth), 2 roll bandages (each - measuring 7 and 10 cm respectively), sterile gauze (5 pieces measuring 7 cm and 5 pieces measuring 10 cm), and 2 triangular bandages.
- You will also need medicines such as antibiotic ointment, antiseptic, aspirin, cold packs, breathing mask (for artificial respiration), hydrocortisone, non-latex gloves (in case of latex injury), mouth thermometer, tweezers, first aid manual (available at places such as medical supply stores), and emergency blankets.
Step 3. Learn first aid and artificial respiration
If you, a family member, or friend were injured during an earthquake and were unable to get help, you will be grateful to know how to treat a basic injury. First aid and artificial respiration training will teach you what to do in an emergency if someone is injured.
- Learning a first aid kit can help you understand how to deal with injuries such as cuts, bruises, head injuries, and even broken bones. Artificial respiration training helps you learn what to do if someone is choking or not breathing.
- Consult your local Indonesian Red Cross to find first aid training in your area.
Step 4. Learn how to turn off gas, water and electricity
Although this is a common facility in everyday life, when a natural disaster occurs, all of this can be life threatening. Gas may leak; electricity can cause sparks; and water can be contaminated. After an earthquake, you may need to turn off any or all of these facilities.
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To turn off the gas, turn the valve a quarter turn using a wrench. Now the valve should be perpendicular to the pipe. If the position is parallel, it means that the gas line is open.
Some experts recommend keeping the gas line on unless you smell a leak, hear a hiss, or see the gas meter running fast because once you turn it off, you'll need to call a professional to make sure it's safe to turn it on again
- To turn off the power, look for the circuit box. Turn off all individual circuits and then turn off the main circuit. The electricity must remain off until a professional confirms that there is no gas leak.
- To turn off the water, look for the main valve. Turn the faucet clockwise until it is completely closed. You'll need to let the water stop running until it's safe to turn it back on. The authorities should be telling whether the water is safe to drink or not.
Step 5. Secure the water heater
In an earthquake, your water heater can fall or break, creating a huge pool of water. If you can protect the water and keep it from leaking from the water heater, you can use it as a source of clean drinking water even if the water in the city is not safe. Therefore, before an earthquake occurs, secure your water heater.
- Start by checking how much space is between the water heater and the wall. If it looks more than a centimeter or three or five, you will need to add pieces of wood to the wall using threaded screws. The piece of wood should be parallel to the length of the water heater, so it can't tip over.
- Use heavy metal ties to secure the water heater to the wall at the top. Start with the walls. Wrap it in the front and then all the way to the heater again. Push back against the wall. Now you have ends on both sides to secure the wall or wood behind.
- For wood, use a threaded screw with a large closing ring. The length of the screw is at least 1 cm and 3 cm. For concrete, you will need 1 cm of connecting bolts instead of screws. You can also purchase commercial safety equipment that provides all your needs.
- Add another fastener at the bottom, and tighten. It's also important that you get rid of stiff copper and metal pipes. Instead, use flexible connectors for gas and water, which are less likely to be damaged in an earthquake.
Step 6. Determine the meeting location after the earthquake subsides
When an earthquake occurs, the telephone network can be cut off. Maybe you can't reach your loved ones. Therefore, decide in advance where you will meet in the event of a disaster.
- For example, you could say that everyone should go home after the earthquake subsides, or that you will meet at a nearby safe place, such as a mosque or church.
- Also consider appointing someone who is not in the same area as a contact point. For example, you can designate one of your parents as a contact point, so other people out of town have someone to call to hear back. That way, you can deal with emergencies while your family can still hear the news about you.
Step 7. Make your house earthquake resistant
If you live in an earthquake-prone area, consider removing heavy objects from high shelves and anchoring heavy furniture to the floor. During an earthquake, these objects can fall or move, injuring you or others in your home.
- Books, vases, stones, and other decorative items can fall from high shelves, hitting people below them.
- Move the items so that they are below head height. It's best to place it below waist height so that less damage can be inflicted.
- Mount furniture, cabinets, and heavy equipment to walls or floors. Mounting objects on walls or floors will prevent them from moving or falling during an earthquake. You can use nylon rope or angle iron to anchor furniture such as porcelain cabinets or bookshelves to pegs in the wall, although peeling will cause some damage to the furniture. You can also use nylon or velcro straps to secure items like televisions to the furniture.
Tips
- If you are in an apartment, talk to your landlord about emergency response procedures.
- Study the earthquake response plan at school or work so you know what to do if you're stuck in there instead of at home.
- If you are in a wheelchair, lock the wheels and protect your head and neck with pillows, arms, or a ledger.
