EARTHQUAKE SAFETY - STEP 5

All of the following information was taken from the booklet, Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country. You can view the booklet at

http://ussc.utah.gov/publications/roots_earthquake.pdf.

Protect Yourself during Earthquake Shaking

DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON

If you are indoors, when you feel strong earthquake shaking, drop to the floor, take cover under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on to it firmly until the shaking stops.

If a table or desk is not available, sit down with your back against an interior wall, using your hands and arms to protect your head and neck.

If you are indoors…

Drop, Cover & Hold On! If you are not near a sturdy desk or table, drop to the floor against an interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms.

Avoid exterior walls, windows, hanging objects, mirrors, tall furniture, large appliances, and cabinets filled with heavy objects.

Do not go outside until well after the shaking stops!

In bed

Hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow. You are less likely to be injured staying where you are. Broken glass on the floor can cause injuries; be sure to put shoes on before stepping on the floor.

In a high-rise building

DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON. Avoid windows. Do not use elevators. Do not be surprised if sprinkler systems or fire alarms activate.

At work

DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON. Know your workplace’s earthquake safety plan and put it into action. When safe, move to a specified meeting location.

In a public building or theater

DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON if possible. If in a theater seat, duck down and protect your head and neck with your arms. Don’t try to leave until the shaking is over. Then walk out slowly, watching for fallen debris or anything that could fall on you in aftershocks.

If you are outdoors…

Move to a clear area if you can do so safely; avoid buildings, power lines, trees, and other hazards. Always assume fallen power lines are live.

Near tall buildings

Windows, facades, and architectural details are often the first parts of a building to collapse. Get away from this danger zone when shaking starts. Take refuge in a safe building or an open space.

Driving

When able, safely pull over to the side of the road, stop, and set the parking brake. Avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs, trees, and other things that might collapse or fall on the vehicle. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking is over. If a power line falls on the vehicle, stay inside until a trained person removes the hazard.

In a stadium

Stay at your seat and protect your head and neck with your arms. Don’t try to leave until the shaking is over. Then exit slowly, avoiding debris and watching for anything that could fall in aftershocks

Below a dam

Dams can fail during a major earthquake. Catastrophic failure is unlikely, but if you are downstream from a dam, you should know flood-zone information and have prepared an evacuation plan.

Don’t be fooled!—Myth number 6

“THE TRIANGLE OF LIFE SURVIVAL METHOD IS THE BEST METHOD TO USE INSIDE A BUILDING TO SURVIVE AN EARTHQUAKE.”

False. The best survival method inside a building is to Drop, Cover, and Hold On under a table, desk, or chair, rather than trying to get into a survivable void next to a large, bulky object as advocated by the Triangle of Life method.

The Drop, Cover, and Hold On survival method protects individuals from objects falling from walls and shelves. It also provides a level of protection from structural failures. If a table or desk is not available, sit down with your back against an interior wall, using your hands and arms to protect your head and neck.

For more information on possible flood areas, go to the Utah Division of Water Rights Dam Safety Program at http://www.waterrights.utah.gov/cgi-bin/damview.exe, click on the dam of interest, and view Dam Break Map.