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GET READY BEFORE IT STRIKES !
Earthquake
Flood
Volcanic Activity
what causes a flood?
how an earthquake damages a house?
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Natural
Disasters
are you
prepared?
Natural
Disasters can occur anywhere, anytime. They do not
discriminate between rich and poor, or between countries big and
small. In the past, many people believed natural disasters were
sent by gods to punish them for their sins and there was very
little they could do about such disasters. Now, we do have
enough experience and ability to reduce the impact of natural
disasters by taking early precautions. We know years in
advance which regions are likely to be hit by natural
hazards. Satellites, for example, can forecast the
approaches of floods; seismographs can record the force and
direction of an earthquake. We can actually reduce greatly
the loss and suffering from such disasters by taking precautions
in time.
Natural
disasters are part of the environment in which we live. We
cannot eliminate them, but if we work together as a community, we
will be able to limit the loss of life and the destruction they
cause.
GET
READY BEFORE IT STRIKES !
EARTHQUAKE
Immediate Action
Indoors:
- Do not rush outside. Get your family into
doorways, under table, or, if they are bedridden, under their
beds. Keep away from windows.
Outdoors:
- Keep clear of buildings, high walls or dangling
electric wires. If you are in a city, seek shelter under
archways or doorways but do not re-enter damaged
buildings.
When Driving:
- Get if you feel the earthquake when riding in a car or bus,
ask the driver to pull over and stop. Stay inside the vehicle.
As
soon as you can
- Pull out all domestic fires and turn off
air-conditioner.
- Turn off electricity, gas tank and water if the house
is damaged.
- Leave the house if a fire starts that cannot be put
out at once.
- Save water. Fill all emergence containers.
- Free pets and domestic animals (dogs, cats, etc.)
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FLOOD
- Listen to the radio for advance information and
advice.
- Disconnect all electrical appliances and move all
valuable personal and household goods and clothing out of
reach of flood water, if you are warned or if you suspect that
flood waters may reach the house.
- Help move vehicles, animals and movable goods to the
highest ground nearby.
- Prevent dangerous pollution - move all insecticides
out of reach of the water.
- Turn off electricity, air-conditioner and gas if you
have to leave the house.
- Lock all outside doors and windows if you have to
leave the house.
- Do not enter flood waters on foot or in a car if you
can avoid it.
- Do not wander around a flood area on your own.
If you cannot avoid it, let somebody where you intend to go.
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TSUNAMI, TIDAL WAVES/SURGES
If you live in a low-lying area near the sea or an estuary:
- Listen to the radio for advance information and
advice.
- Do the same things you would do for a flood.
- Move to high ground or as far inland as possible if a
tsunami or tidal wave/surge warning is given.
- Keep away from streams flowing into the sea.
- Do not go down to the beach. If you see a tidal
wave, it may be too late to escape.
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VOLCANIC ACTIVITY
- Listen to the radio for advance information and
advice.
- Find shelter, but not in a building with a
low-pitched roof if heavy ash is falling.
- Avoid basements or confined spaces where dangerous
gases may accumulate.
- Move to high ground, if you are in the open.
Keep well above the shoreline or large lakes.
- If you have to move in an ash shower, wear
substantial covering over your head and body, breath
through a handkerchief, carry a flashlight even if
it is daytime, and move as quickly as you can from the
eruption.
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Lifted
from an IEC material produced by the
Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator
(Palais des Nations,
1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland)
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