What do I do AFTER an earthquake?
WEAR STURDY SHOES
- to avoid injury from broken glass and debris. Expect aftershocks
CHECK FOR INJURIES
- If a person is bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound, use clean gauze or cloth if available
- If a person is not breathing administer CPR
- DO NOT attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in further danger of injury
- COVER injured persons with blankets to keep warm
- SEEK medical help for serious injuries
CHECK FOR HAZARDS
- Fire hazards--put out fires in your home or neighborhood immediately, call for help
- Gas leaks--shut off main gas valve ONLY if you suspect a leak because of broken pipes or odor
- Damaged electrical wiring--Shut off power at the control box if there is any danger to house wiring
- Downed or damaged utility lines--do not touch downed power lines or any objects in contact with them
- SPILLS--clean up any spilled medicines, drugs, or other harmful materials such as bleach, lye, gas
- DOWNED OR DAMAGED CHIMNEYS--Approach with caution--don't use damaged chimney (it could start a fire or let poisonous gases into your house)
- FALLEN ITEMS--beware of items tumbling off shelves when you open doors of closets and cupboards
- CHECK FOOD AND WATER SUPPLIES--Do not eat or drink anything from open containers near shattered glass
- If power is off, plan meals to use up foods that will spoil quickly or frozen foods (food in the freezer should be good for at least a couple of days)
- Don't light your kitchen stove if you suspect a gas leak
- USE BBQ or camp stoves, outdoors only for emergency cooking
- If your water is off you can drink supplies from water heaters, melted ice cubes or canned vegetables (AVOID drinking water from swimming pools or especially spas--it may have too many chemicals in it to be safe)
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