Practical guide: What to do in the event of an earthquake?
🌎 Why prepare for an earthquake?
An earthquake occurs without prior warning and can cause considerable damage in a matter of seconds. Being well-prepared means minimizing risks and reacting effectively after the tremor.
1. During the earthquake: protect yourself immediately
– Remain calm and quickly take cover under a sturdy table or near a load-bearing wall, away from windows and heavy objects likely to fall.
– If you’re in bed, stay there, cover your head and protect yourself with pillows or blankets.
– If you’re outdoors, keep away from buildings, trees, utility poles and other structures that could collapse.
2. After the earthquake: check safety
– Immediately check your physical condition and that of the people around you.
– Don’t use any elevators, and be cautious of aftershocks.
3. Take your Evakit bag
– Your Evakit contains essential documents (identity papers, insurance, title deeds), as well as warm clothing, drinking water and food rations.
– Keep your Evakit accessible at all times to facilitate rapid evacuation.
4. Evacuate carefully if necessary
– Evacuate your home only if you feel it is damaged or unstable.
– Leave the premises immediately if you smell gas or if there is a risk of fire.
– Use the stairs, never the elevator.
– Quickly find an open space, away from buildings, trees and power lines.
5. Call for help and get informed
– As soon as you are safe, call 112 (or your local emergency number) immediately to report any damage or critical situations.
– Keep up to date with official news with the hand-cranked FM radio supplied with your Evakit.
6. Get together and stay together
– Return to your family gathering point to check that all members are present and safe.
– Do not return home until the authorities have confirmed that the situation is safe.
Common mistakes to avoid
– Run outside or up stairs during the tremor.
– Use an elevator to evacuate.
– Return inside the building without official authorization.
IN SUMMARY:
In the event of an earthquake, protect yourself immediately, assess the situation carefully after the tremor, take your Evakit if evacuation is necessary, inform the emergency services and stay grouped together in a safe place.
Your safety in the event of an earthquake depends entirely on your preparation and composure.
