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BEFORE
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DURING
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AFTER |
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BEFORE AN
EARTHQUAKE |
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Potential earthquake
hazards in the home and workplace should be removed or
corrected. Top-heavy objects and furniture, such as
bookcases and storage cabinets, should be fastened to
the wall and the largest and heaviest objects placed on
lower shelves. Water heater and other appliances should
be firmly bolted down and flexible connections should be
used whenever possible. Pay special attention to
emergency equipment such as radio transmitters and
medical equipment. |
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Supplies of food and
water, flashlight, a first-aid kit and a battery
-powered should be set aside for use in emergencies. Of
course, this is advisable for other types of emergencies
as well, such as hurricanes. |
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One or more members of the
family should have knowledge of first aid procedures
because medical facilities nearly always are overloaded
during an emergency or disaster, or themselves be
damaged beyond use. |
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All family members should
know what to do to avoid injury and panic. They should
know how to turn off the electricity, water and gas;
they should know the location of the main switch and
valves. This is particularly important for teenagers who
are likely to be alone with smaller children. |
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It is important for
residents of Jamaica to be aware that this is
“earthquake country” and earthquakes are likely to occur
again where they have occurred before. Building codes
that require earthquake-resistant construction should be
vigorously enforced. If effective building code and
grading ordinances do not exit in your community support
their enactment. |
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DURING AN
EARTHQUAKE |
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The most important thing
to do during an earthquake is to remain calm, if you do
so you are less likely to be injured. If you are calm,
those around you will have a greater tendency to stay
calm, too. Make no moves or take no action without
thinking about the possible consequence. |
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Motion during the
earthquake is not constant; commonly there are few
seconds between tremors. |
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If you are inside a
building, stand in a strong doorway or get under a desk,
table or bed. Watch for falling plaster, bricks, light
fixtures and other objects. Stay away from tall
furniture, such as china cabinets, bookcases and
shelves. Stay away from windows and mirrors. In tall
buildings it is best to get under a desk if it is
securely fastened to the floor and to stay away from
windows or glass partitions. |
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Do not rush outside.
Stairways and exits may be broken or may become jammed
with people. Power for elevators and escalators may have
failed. Many of the 115 persons who perished in Long
Beach and Compton in California 1933, ran outside only
to be killed by falling debris. If you are in a crowed
place such as theater, athletic stadium or store, do not
rush for an exit because many others will do the same
thing. If you must leave a building, choose your exit
with care and when going out, take care to avoid falling
debris and collapsing walls. |
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If you are outside when an
earthquake strikes, try to stay away from high
buildings, walls, power poles, lamp post or other
structures that may fall. Falling and fallen electrical
power lines must be avoided. If possible, go to an open
area away from all hazards but do not run through the
streets. If you are in an automobile, stop in the safest
possible place, which of course would be an open area
and remain in the car. |
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AFTER AN
EARTHQUAKE |
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After an earthquake, the
most important thing to do is to check for injuries in
your family and in the neighbourhood. Seriously injured
persons should not be moved unless they are in immediate
danger of further injury. First aid should be
administered, but only by someone who is qualified. |
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Check for fire and fire
hazards. If damage has been severe, water lines to
hydrants, telephone lines and fire alarm systems may be
difficult. Swimming pools or water tanks are possible
emergency sources of water for fire fighting. |
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Utility lines to your
house – water and electricity- and gas applications
should be checked for damage. If there are gas leaks,
shut off main valve which is usually at the gas
cylinder. Do not use matches, lighters or open flame
appliance until you are sure there are no gas leaks. Do
not use electrical switches or appliances if there are
gas leaks, because they give off sparks which could
ignite the gas. Shut off the electrical power if there
is damage to the wiring; the main switch usually is in
or next to the main fuse or circuit breaker box.
Spilled, flammable fluids, medicines, drugs and other
harmful substance should be cleaned up as soon as
possible. |
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Water lines may be damaged
to such an extent that the water may be off. Emergency
drinking water can be obtained from water heater, toilet
tanks canned fruits and vegetables, and melted ice
cubes. Toilets should not be flushed until both the
incoming water lines and outgoing sewer liner have been
checked to see if they are open. If electrical power is
off for any length of time, plan to use the food in your
refrigerator and freezer before they are spoiled. Canned
and dried foods should be saved until last. |
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There may be shuttered
glass and other debris in the area, so it is advisable
to wear shoes or boots and hard hat if you own one.
Broken glass may get into food and drinks. Liquids can
be either strained through a clean cloth (such as
handkerchief) or decanter. Coal stove or barbeque can be
used for emergency cooking. |
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Closet and other storage
area should be checked for objects that have been
dislodged or have fallen, but the door should be opened
carefully because of objects that may have fallen
against them. |
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Do not use the telephone
unless there is a genuine emergency. Emergency news and
damage reports, alerts and other information can be
obtained by turning on your radio. Do not go
sight-seeing; keep the streets open for passage of
emergency vehicles and equipment. Do not speculate or
repeat the speculations of others – this is how rumors
start. |
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Stay away from beaches and
other waterfront areas where seismic sea waves
(tsunamis) sometimes called “tidal waves” could strike
again. Your radio is the best source of information
concerning the likelihood that a seismic sea wave will
occur. Also stay away from steep landslide-prone areas
if possible. After shocks may trigger landslide or
avalanche, especially if there has been a lot of rain
and the ground is nearly saturated. Also stay away from
earthquake damaged structures. Additionally earthquake
shocks known as “aftershocks” sometimes occur over a
period of several weeks. These are usually smaller that
the main shock but these can cause damage too,
particularly to damaged and already major weakened
structures. |
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Parents should stay with
young children who may suffer psychological trauma
during the occurrence of after-shocks. |
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Cooperate with all public
safety and relief organizations. Do not go into damaged
area unless authorized. |
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Anticipate after-shocks
which, though not as strong as the main shock, can cause
collapse of already weakened buildings. |
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Martial law (state of
emergency) may have to be declared in major earthquake
disasters. |
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Send information about the
earthquake and after-shocks to the seismic research unit
and the geological survey to help earth scientists
understand earthquakes better. |
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