Residents
Owners
Earthquakes are getting more frequent and stronger nowadays. On September 18, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake toppled down buildings and derailed trains in Taiwan. The next day, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake shook Mexico’s Pacific Coast on the anniversary of two strong earthquakes in 1987 and 2017.
This natural phenomenon is scary, but we can prepare for it to mitigate the injuries and deaths caused by earthquakes. Knowing what to do during a major earthquake can make a lot of difference and will keep you level-headed instead of succumbing to panic and fear.
If you’re living in a condo, you must have a sense of earthquake readiness. Read these tips on how to prepare for a future earthquake.
Create an Earthquake Preparedness Plan
Having an evacuation plan is a number one priority in earthquake preparedness. It can help you and your companions in the condo to be safe when an earthquake hits. A sound evacuation plan can help mitigate casualties and damages.
It’s crucial to be familiar with the safe routes and exits in your condo building. Set a meeting place if you and your companions in the condo unit get separated during the evacuation. Make sure to have their contact numbers handy, as well as the contact information of the nearest healthcare service and relevant authorities in your area.
Have an Earthquake Preparedness Kit
An earthquake preparedness kit can help you survive whenever you’re stuck in a condo building after an earthquake. Everyone must have a checklist of the items they need in this kind of situation. Here’s a list of essential items and goods you should include in your earthquake preparedness kit.
- Canned goods or ready-to-eat meals
- Supply of drinking water that can last for a few days
- Flashlight and batteries
- Whistle
- First aid kit and personal medication
- Phone, charger, and power bank
- Multipurpose tool
- Extra clothing
- Important documents like IDs and insurance policies
What to Do During Earthquake
You should never panic when an earthquake is happening because it keeps you from thinking clearly. Make sure that you know what to do to keep yourself and others safe in this situation. Take note of these safety tips when a quake hits.
Duck, Cover, Hold
You have probably heard this tip in earthquake drills many times, and it needs repeating here. When an earthquake occurs, find a sturdy thing like a table in the room and duck under it. Make sure to cover your head while you walk onto the table and when you’re already under it to protect your head against falling debris. Hold onto the table if the shaking gets stronger.
Wait for the earthquake to subside before you get out of the table. Then, carry out your evacuation plan once the shaking stops.
Avoid the Hazards
Avoid hazardous areas in your condo when you’re looking for a spot to hide and cover. Your kitchen can be a risky place during an earthquake, as glasses, dishware, and knives can fall and break and injure you. Don’t go near areas where there are windows, mirrors, and electrical appliances.
What to Do After an Earthquake
Damages, casualties, and aftershocks are the things to watch out for after an earthquake. Always take extra precaution and keep your composure as you go out of the condo building.
Don’t Take the Elevator
Power lines are likely to not function after an earthquake, or it can be that the condo management are checking the power lines to see if they’re working properly. As is likely the case, avoid using the elevator at this moment to avoid getting trapped inside.
Use the staircase or fire exit of the condo building to evacuate after an earthquake. Always cover your head as you’re walking.
Look for a Safe Location
As far as possible, don’t go with a large crowd of people when you’re evacuating to avoid a stampede. Then, outside the condo building, look for a vacant spot that’s safe from damaged structures, broken windows, falling objects, and large trees. Aftershocks may occur, and they might cause more damage to the structures and inflict injuries on people.
Use Your First Aid Kit
If you’re injured because of the earthquake, make sure to administer first aid right away. Also, check your companions whether they have injuries and take care of them. Call a healthcare service if the injuries need more than first aid.
Takeaway
Strong earthquakes can cause damage to buildings and take away human lives. Therefore, you better be prepared for a future earthquake to ensure and mitigate casualties. If you’re residing in a condo, it’s crucial to have an earthquake readiness plan to evacuate yourself and your companions safely out of the building. Be sure to remember the tips we have discussed in this article for that matter.
