Dear All,

We have to accept and prepare ourselves as we are living in the
eartquake zone. We had some lessons learnt by a few incidents which
happened recently. Expert’s advice and information from various sources
are provide from time to time. With these we are more or less able to
sense and rect to situations considering our status as PREPARED. Well,
the working environment is well organized to handle such situations.
Unfortunately is not the case in public places. Sometimes smal tips
will be of great help during and in anticipation of an earthquake.
Always tell yourself we are well ORGANIZED AND PREPARED. Do not panic
and just follow instructios given.

Hope this tips will serve you better positively.

Don’t Rush Out of Door

• Get yourself under a  desk. Cover your head with cushions or magazines so that you can protect your head from falling objects.
• No matter how bing an earthquake is, violent movements generally last for only one minute or so. Don’t panic !

At Home

• Turn off the sources of fires quickly and open windows and doors.
• When  a fire occurs, put it out with a fire extinguisher or other things such as blankets.
• Cooperate with your neighbors in extinguishing the fires.
• Switch off all the electricity circuit breakes. Turn the gas off at the main.
• Work out a plan regularly on how to promptly evacuate and what are required for the escape.

Keep in mind the following if you live in a highrise apartment house;
* Follow the instructions of the apartment complex custodian.
* Don’t use elevators.

The most frightening thing during an eartquake is the threat of
fires. In the Great Kanto Eartquake, approximately 100,000 people were
killed by fires.

On The Street

• Keep away from vending machines or block walls. They are likely to fall over easily.
• To protect yourself from falling object, rush into a building or make your way to a nearby open area.
• Stay away from downed electrical power lines.

In the Off-Shore Miyagi Earthquake, 18 people were killed by some
falling concrete block walls, stone walls or gateposts. Also, in the
Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, a large number of buildings collapsed.
As a result, glass debris were coming down on people.

In Department Store or Movie House

• In a department store, protect your head with a bag or a shopping
  bag in hand. Stay away from the exhibit shelves. They are likely to
  fall over easily.
• In a movie house, get under the seats to protect your head from falling objects
• Don’t scramble for exits or elevators.

Don’t try to find your own way out. Stay calm down and follow the
instructions announced inside the department store/movie house or by
persons-in-charge.

In Underground Passageway

• The fearsome thing when you are underground is not the damage
  caused by the earthquake but the confusion by panic. Even when the
  power is down, some emergency lights will come on in a split second.
  There is no need for you to rush to stairs or emergency exits.
• Don’t use elevators.
• Follow the instructions of the person-in-charge.

On Subway or Other Public Transportation

• Stay inside the train unless it is absolutely necessary to leave. Otherwise, you may be electrocuted or hit by another train.
• Hold on to a strap, handrail or anything that is fixed firmly inside the train.
• Follow the instructions of a member of the train crew or station staff.

On the Beach or Near River

• When you feel a tremor near the beach or when a tidal wave alarm is issued, leave the place right away for some heights.
• Tidal waves come continuously one after the other. Be on the alert until the “all clear” sign is given.
• Listen to the radio or watch television, or get contact with the
  police or local public offices for accurate information. Don’t be
  fooled by rumors.

Pay attention to whether a tidal wave alarm is issued or not in case
of a big earthquake. Back in 1993, tidal waves hit the Okushiri Island
off the south-west coast of Hokkaido within five minutes after an
earthquake occurred. Twho hundred two people were reported killed and
28 missing.

Evacuation in Group

• Follow the instructions of police officers or person-in-charge.
  Don’t try to evacuate on your own. Move with the neighborhood or
  resident association.
• Evacuate on foot and keep your emergency takeout items to the minimum.
• People in the community should cooperate in the evacuation of :
  persons who are hospitalized; bedridden senior citizens, and the
  physically/mentally handicapped.

Keep your valuables with you

• Keep your valuables in the places so that, in an emergency, you can take them out immediately.
• Make sure to keep your valuables with you when you evacuate.

For example : after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and the
Niigata Chuetsu Earthquake, a number of houses and shops were broken or
looted while the people were out for evacuation.

Follow Accurate Information

• On your way to or after seeking safety at a designated Evacuation
  Site, listen to the radio or watch televesion for emergency public
  announcements. Don’t be misled by false information.
• People will become extremely nervous and panicky after severe
  tremors. Therefore, you should refrain from talking and acting
  irresponsibly.

Whenever a big earthquake occurs, dissemination of false information
misleads us. As an example, during the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake,
some rumors circulated and almost triggered panic. However, most people
kept calm and sought accurate information so as to maintain order.

Source :
retny@idealfastener.net and Earthquake Center Japan