Filenews 7 December 2024
Recommendations to the public for taking self-protection and safety measures in case of an earthquake were issued by the Civil Defence.
How to prepare if you are at home or in the office or school:
– Firmly secure shelves and bookcases to the walls. – Remove tall furniture from the doors that can be moved and block any escape exits. – Place large and heavy items lower on the shelves and anything else that can fall and break. - Remove heavy objects over beds and sofas. – Mark right now which are the safest places in your home, school, workplace or workplace to shelter in the event of an earthquake: under sturdy tables, desks or desks, away from glass surfaces and bookcases, away from outside walls. – Secure the water heater and fuel and water tanks well. – Secure the light fittings and ceiling fans well. – Check the proper operation of the electricity and gas supply network. – Inform your family members / office staff about how the general electricity, water and gas switches are turned off and about the emergency phone, 112. – Get a portable radio with batteries and a first aid kit. – Place a fire extinguisher in an accessible place and practice its use.
If you are outside your home or office or school:
Choose a safe meeting place after the earthquake that is away from buildings and trees and away from telephone and electrical wires.
At the time of the earthquake
If you are inside the house:
– Keep calm. Don't panic.
– Cover yourself under a sturdy piece of furniture (table, desk or desk), kneel and hold his leg with your hands.
– If there is no durable furniture, kneel in the middle of the room, reducing your height as much as possible and protect your head and neck with your hands.
– Move away from large glass surfaces (windows, glass partitions) or furniture and objects that may injure you.
– Do not try to move away from home.
– Do not go out on the balcony.
If you are in a tall building:
– Move away from windows and exterior walls.
– Stay in the area until the earthquake ends.
– Do not use the elevator for escape. There is a risk of falling or being trapped in it, due to power failure or distortion to its drivers.
– Do not stand on open windows, balconies or on the edges of rooftops. From vibration you may fall into the void.
If you're in an entertainment venue, mall, or large store:
- Stay in the area until the earthquake ends.
- Do not get carried away by the panicked crowd that moves disorderly towards the exits, because you risk being trampled.
If you are in an open space:
– Avoid standing near buildings, rocks, electric poles or objects that may fall and injure you.
– If you have a bag or briefcase with you, cover your head with them.
– Move away from the coast. After a strong earthquake, waves with high speed and height can form that will sweep the coast.
If you are in the car:
– Park as quickly and carefully as you can in an area that does not obstruct traffic, away from high-rise buildings, hills or rocks.
– Avoid going through tunnels, bridges or overpasses.
After the earthquake
If you are inside the house:
– Prepare for any aftershocks.
- Check yourself and those around you carefully for possible injuries.
– Directly help children, but also disabled, disabled, sick or elderly people to protect themselves.
– If you are trapped or trapped somewhere from where you cannot escape, try in every way to give signs of life so that the rescue teams can locate you.
– If a fire has broken out somewhere, extinguish it before it becomes dimensional.
– Avoid entering your home if you see faults, cut wires, gas or gas leakage.
– Do not touch power lines and objects that touch wires. You are at risk of electric shock.
- Do not try to move a seriously injured person unless his life is in imminent danger.
– Do not enter damaged buildings until the relevant authorities assure you that they are safe.
– Evacuate the building from the stairwell (do not use the elevator), after turning off the electricity, gas and water switches.
– Use your landline or mobile phone only in exceptional cases, because it causes overload of telephone networks, which prevents the smooth coordination of the actions of the Response Services whose mission is to deal with the consequences of the earthquake.
– Respond to calls for help, but do not move unnecessarily so that rescue crews can move unhindered.
– Shelter in an open and safe area.
– Follow the instructions of the authorities and do not pay attention to rumours.
How to react to an upcoming gravity wave (tsunami
: If you are in a low-lying coastal area
– While not all earthquakes cause tsunamis, stay alert.
- Observe if there is a significant rise or fall in water level, which is a natural warning.
– Move away from the sea and head to inland areas with higher altitude. A small tsunami at one point on the coast can turn into a large tsunami, miles away.
– Stay away from the coast. A tsunami does not consist of just one wave but a series of waves, so come back only after being informed by the competent authorities that there is no risk.
– Do not approach the coast to watch an upcoming tsunami. When you see it, it may be too late to avoid it.
