which floor is safest during an earthquake

Stairs and staircases are dangerous places to tread during an earthquake, as they could collapse or break without notice. Go upstairs to get under a piece of furniture. When an earthquake hits, stop worrying about saving electronics like cameras, phones, and computers or other material objects because your lives are more important. To create this article, 79 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Typically, you will be required to stay indoors until the shaking stops, and then you will be led outside. 0000004350 00000 n If you are with the child at the time of the earthquake, ODPEM advises using the Stop, Cover and Hold On technique, but with one hand holding the baby close to your chest and the other holding on to the object you are taking shelter underneath. Get under a table instead! 0000004498 00000 n Plus, the elevator likely has a Seismic mode which stops the elevator and renders itself inoperable after an earthquake. %PDF-1.4 %���� For the most part, first-floor apartments might have less privacy than units on upper floors, but they’re also easier to leave during an emergency like a fire. 0000000016 00000 n Try to leave the water, if you can, and get to higher ground immediately. Do not move about or kick up dust. Shout only as a last resort. If there is no basement, go to an inside room, without windows, on the lowest floor. If you find yourself in the middle of an earthquake, there's often only a split-second to decide what to do. DO NOT run outside! Do not light a match or a lighter. Try to bring your pets if they're close to you. An early earthquake photo is a collapsed adobe home with the door frame as the only standing part. The safest place in the home is the interior part of a basement. startxref Unlike hurricanes or floods, earthquakes come without warning and are usually followed by similar aftershocks, although the aftershocks are usually less powerful than the quake. If you stay calm, you will be bet-ter able to assess your situation. On July 29, 1858, two steam-powered battleships met in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Published on … Are there any signs of earthquakes before the actual 'rumble'? trailer To create this article, 79 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. 0000000898 00000 n 18 0 obj <> endobj Live in an earthquake zone? What if there is no bamboo furniture or table and I only have a glass table? JCI ‘Facility Management and Safety (FMS)’ standards are crafting safest hospital buildings’ equipment and systems, with disaster readiness(!). There, they connected two ends of a 4,000 kilometer (2,500 … Second, scientific studies tell us that most deaths in earthquakes are linked to falling debris and objects, not falling structures. If you feel that the earthquake is a small magnitude earthquake, be prepared because a bigger magnitude earthquake might be coming next. First, it's difficult to know where triangles of life form, since objects in a quake move up and down as well as laterally. What about a tornado or fire? Run to another room to get under a table or other piece of furniture. Hiding under a doorway is a myth. If you need additional information, please email the FEMA Safe Room Helpline or call 866-927-2104. For tips on what to do if you're outdoors when an earthquake strikes, read on! 0000000818 00000 n By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. What should I do if the earthquake happens while I am at school? Don't be concerned if you are naked--just quickly cover up as you are leaving. You're more likely to get injured trying to get out of the building than staying put. 0000002635 00000 n ���}l�|�6������s���:�?��K�/�����������|�"���)�Oq��I�e�� ���=�1�� �Q�L2|� @G�pl��U �Gvv�������b��������q� ��!h���8��0|��^:g��$��,��?S>a�a�3&+���YA=����>)�R#|��um �J��g�4����|�%�Z��N�m. If you're in bed, stay in bed and protect your head with a pillow. Tsunamis can reach more than 50 feet in height, move inland several hundred feet and threaten life and property. Your best bet is to use the stairwell if it's free. Use a whistle if one is available. People under doorways are commonly crushed to death if the door jamb falls under the weight of the earthquake's impact. Get under your desk and listen to any directions given to you by your teacher. For example, if you are under the kitchen table and glasses and plates fall off the sideboard, they won't hit you. Would I be safe? What should I do if on a plane on the ground? There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. One-story (wood-framed) houses are the safest structures to be in during a quake. Big earthquakes occur without much, if any, warning, so it's recommended that you drop to the floor as soon as it hits. In modern houses and buildings, doorways are no safer, and they do not protect you from flying or falling objects. What can I do if I am a preteen alone with a baby? Your life is more important then your modesty. You've probably heard lots of conflicting information over the years. If you have developed the correct earthquake responses in your mind before a quake, this split sec-ond is enough time to activate your automatic reactions. % of people told us that this article helped them. While it's not the only method of protecting yourself indoors during an earthquake, it is the preferred method of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross. Learn more... Earthquakes happen when the earth's crust shifts, causing seismic waves to quake and crash up against one another. 0000001159 00000 n H��WQs�6~���#����dion�.ݺ$k��u�=�2m�Q%O��y�~ I[r�vM�˝#K"���>��&�����y. Many injuries are caused when people leave their bed and walk across broken glass with their bare feet. 32 0 obj<>stream Big earthquakes occur without much, if any, warning, so it's recommended that … The Torre Latinoamericana (English: Latin American Tower) is a skyscraper in downtown Mexico City, situated in the historic city center.Its central location, height (166 m (545 ft)), and history make it one of the city's most important landmarks. This could be a center hallway, bathroom, or closet. ... a tsunami is a series of waves generated by large earthquakes that create vertical movement on the ocean floor. Earthquake Safety Guidelines • Remain Calm. Studying the following advice could be the difference between life and death. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust. If your school does not have one, get to a field, away from any buildings or trees. For added protection, get under something sturdy such as a heavy table or workbench. As mentioned above, most injuries result from falling objects, so focus on protecting yourself from that. To protect yourself from things dropping on you. 0000004719 00000 n x�b```f``Z��������ˀ �@1���0-����#�1�� $�f5�U�U�|�����y���K{ J� p=H���xX?$Il|��p��A+%��{�7�^��@� ���X����H3�C� �4E 0000002711 00000 n If you're inside of your home or another building, drop to the ground immediately and find cover under a table or doorway. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Do not use elevators for egress. The power can go out, causing you to be trapped. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. From this came our belief that a doorway is the safest place to be during an earthquake. Tsunami, catastrophic ocean wave, usually caused by a submarine earthquake, by a landslide, or by a volcanic eruption. If you are at the beach, seek higher ground. <]>> If you are driving in a mountainous area, you may need to know, All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. They will most likely not understand what's happening Get them under something sturdy with you and stay with them until the earthquake stops. 0000001588 00000 n Dusty buildup can lead to false alarms or delayed detection during an emergency. MYTH: The safest place to be in an earthquake is under a doorway. Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Get out of the tub immediately and find something sturdy to crawl under, such as a table or bed. 18 15 To react during an earthquake, start by staying as calm as possible. This article has been viewed 282,818 times. When you are sure carefully and slowly leave the building. Other than that, there is typically no warning. How would I escape from an earthquake if I was taking a bath? wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Run outside. In another earthquake — a 5.2 temblor that hit Napa Valley in 2000 — a 5-year-old boy was left fighting for his life after he was buried by the fireplace during a birthday party sleepover. Although saving people may feel like the right thing to do in the event of an earthquake, in this situation, you should try and save yourself before venturing to attempt to help others. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. For tips on what to do if you're outdoors when an earthquake strikes, read on! How to Get out of a Car That's Hanging over a Cliff, http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1953379_1953494_1958235,00.html, http://www.earthquakecountry.info/roots/step5.html, http://www2.bpaonline.org/Emergencyprep/arc-on-doug-copp.html, http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1009/S00266/discredited-earthquake-safety-advice-circulated.htm, http://eqseis.geosc.psu.edu/~cammon/HTML/Classes/IntroQuakes/Notes/earthquake_effects.html, http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/earthquake. Protect small children and infants. This information may be helpful for those in tornado and hurricane prone areas. Go under a doorway. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 282,818 times. Where is the safest place to be during an earthquake? The object may move in a stronger quake, so make sure you are holding on. Sound usually precedes earthquake motion by a split second. Whether you have a photoelectric alarm or an ionization detector, regular cleaning will keep your smoke alarm in working order. If there's just been an earthquake and its epicenter is in the ocean, there's a good chance you'll have to be on the lookout for tsunamis. 0000002111 00000 n The glass could shatter and seriously injure you. Stay where you are until you are sure that the earthquake and aftershocks are over. A gully opening up and the earth swallowing you whole is extremely unlikely. Below are frequently asked questions regarding FEMA residential and community safe rooms guidance. �|1S���A�E�`���g&���ca��Y 0 If the earthquake has been a big one, then you should be prepared for a tsunami. 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