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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Staying Safe During an Earthquake

9/18/2019 (Permalink)

If you are indoors

  • If you are INDOORS, stay there.
  • If able to do so, DROP, COVER and HOLD ON or LOCK, COVER and HOLD ON for wheelchair or walker users.
  • If there is a sturdy table or desk available, get under it and HOLD ON until the shaking stops.
  • Do not run outside or inside your home, since debris may fall and injure you.

If you are in bed

  • If you are in BED, stay there.
  • COVER your head and neck with a pillow or blanket.

If you are in a vehicle

  • If you are in a VEHICLE, pull over and stop in a safe area away from buildings, trees, overpasses, underpasses or utility wires.
  • Make sure to set the parking brake so that the vehicle does not move during the shaking.
  • Stay inside your vehicle until the shaking subsides.

If you are in a high-rise or public building

  • DROP, COVER and HOLD ON if able to do so or LOCK, COVER and HOLD ON or for wheelchair or walker users, or protect your head and neck area as best as possible.
  • Expect fire alarms and sprinklers to be activated.
  • Do not use elevators.
  • When the shaking subsides, move to the designated zones or areas for evacuation and evaluate your next safe action.
  • Do not run outside or inside a building, since debris may fall and injure you.

If you are in a Sports Stadium or Theater

  • If you are in a SPORTS STADIUM OR THEATER, stay at your seat, or if able to do so safely, DROP to floor between the rows, COVER by protecting your head and neck with your arms and HOLD ON if possible.
  • Do not attempt to leave until the shaking stops.
  • Then, follow the instructions from the sports stadium or theater staff or officials. Walk carefully, watching for anything that could fall or injure you if there are aftershocks.

If you are Outdoors

  • If you are OUTDOORS, stay there.
  • Move away from wires, buildings and anything else that could fall and hurt you, but only if you can safely do so.
  • Otherwise, stay where you are and DROP, COVER and HOLD ON if able to do so or LOCK, COVER and HOLD ON for wheelchair or walker users or protect your head and neck area as best as possible.

If you are near the shore

  • If you are NEAR THE SHORE, if able to do so, DROP, COVER and HOLD ON until the shaking subsides.
  • If severe shaking lasts 20 seconds or more, immediately move to higher ground as a tsunami might have been generated by the earthquake.
  • It is recommended to move inland two miles or to land that is 100 feet above sea level immediately.
  • Do not wait for officials to issue a warning. Move quickly, and avoid debris and other hazards.

If you are near slopes, cliffs or mountains

  • If you are NEAR SLOPES, CLIFFS OR MOUNTAINS, be alert for falling rocks and landslides.

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