When the ground begins to shake, keeping yourself and those around you safe is your first thought. You may try to get to an open area or protect yourself from debris. However, there are a few things to keep in mind that should be avoided.
Things to avoid doing during an earthquake
Exterior walls of a building. Exterior walls are often the first part of a building to collapse. Plus, windows and doorways can leave you exposed to falling debris.
Going inside if are outside, and vis versa. If you are outside, stay outside and get to open ground if possible. Avoid going inside any buildings. However, if you are already inside, move away from exterior walls, find cover and don’t leave the building.
Standing or trying to stay upright. Lower yourself down to avoid injury. Try crawling instead of walking or running if you need to move to better cover.
Getting out of your car. While you may be tempted to leave your vehicle, staying put is often safer. If you are beside it, your car may move and crush you, or other vehicles may run into you. Only consider leaving if your car is trapped under or over a bridge or anything else that could collapse and crush you.
Things to avoid doing after an earthquake
After an earthquake, it’s tempting to carry on with your day as usual if there isn’t any noticeable damage or if the damage is minimal. However, there can be hidden damages and dangers that are important to remember.
Entering a building if there is damage or before authorities give the go-ahead. Wanting to check for damage in your home or place of work following an earthquake is normal. However, proceed with caution. If you see any significant damage, there could be a risk of collapse. Be sure to wait until the authorities give the “all clear” before entering.
Turning on the gas if you turn it off. Wait for the gas company to do this. Turning it back on when there may be damage to the lines could cause a gas leak.
Doing anything that might start a fire if gas is in the air. The earthquake may have caused a gas leak you can’t see or smell. Wait to light any matches or do anything that could start a fire until you are sure it’s safe.
