222 lines
6.2 KiB
Plaintext
222 lines
6.2 KiB
Plaintext
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FACT SHEET: EARTHQUAKES
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FACT SHEET:
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EARTHQUAKES
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Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently and without warning.
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Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning
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can reduce the dangers of serious injury or loss of life from
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an earthquake.
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BEFORE
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Check for hazards in the home.
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Fasten shelves securely to walls.
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Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves.
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Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china
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in low, closed cabinets with latches.
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Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds,
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couches, and anywhere people sit.
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Brace overhead light fixtures.
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Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections.
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These are potential fire risks.
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Secure a water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and
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bolting it to the floor.
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Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get expert
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advice if there are signs of structural defects.
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Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely
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in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.
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Identify safe places in each room.
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Under sturdy furniture such as a heavy desk or table.
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Against an inside wall.
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Away from where glass could shatter around windows, mirrors,
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pictures, or where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could
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fall over.
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Locate safe places outdoors. In the open, away from buildings,
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trees, telephone and electrical lines, overpasses, or elevated
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expressways.
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Make sure all family members know how to respond after an earthquake.
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Teach all family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity,
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and water.
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Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire
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department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
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Contact your local emergency management office or American
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Red Cross chapter for more information on earthquakes.
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Have disaster supplies on hand.
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Flashlight and extra batteries
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Portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries
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First aid kit and manual
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Emergency food and water
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Nonelectric can opener
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Essential medicines
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Cash and credit cards
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Sturdy shoes
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Develop an emergency communication plan.
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In case family members are separated from one another during
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an earthquake (a real possibility during the day when adults are
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at work and children are at school), develop a plan for reuniting
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after the disaster.
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Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family
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contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long
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distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address,
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and phone number of the contact person.
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DURING
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If indoors:
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Take cover under a piece of heavy furniture or against an
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inside wall and hold on.
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Stay inside.
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The most dangerous thing to do during the shaking of an earthquake
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is to try to leave the building because objects can fall on you.
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If outdoors:
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Move into the open, away from buildings, street lights, and
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utility wires.
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Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops.
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If in a moving vehicle:
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Stop quickly and stay in the vehicle.
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Move to a clear area away from buildings, trees, overpasses,
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or utility wires.
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Once the shaking has stopped, proceed with caution. Avoid
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bridges or ramps that might have been damaged by the quake.
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Pets after an Earthquake
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The behavior of pets may change dramatically after an earthquake.
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Normally quiet and friendly cats and dogs may become aggressive
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or defensive. Watch animals closely. Leash dogs and place them
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in a fenced yard.
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Pets may not be allowed into shelters for health and space
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reasons. Prepare an emergency pen for pets in the home that includes
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a 3-day supply of dry food and a large container of water.
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AFTER
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Be prepared for aftershocks. Although smaller than the main
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shock, aftershocks cause additional damage and maybring weakened
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structures down. Aftershocks can occur in the first hours, days,
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weeks, or even months after the quake.
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Help injured or trapped persons. Give first aid where appropriate.
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Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate
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danger of further injury. Call for help.
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Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for the latest
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emergency information.
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Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance--infants,
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the elderly, and people with disabilities.
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Stay out of damaged buildings. Return home only when authorities
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say it is safe.
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Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
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Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches or gasoline or other
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flammable liquids immediately. Leave the area if you smell gas
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or fumes from other chemicals.
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Open closet and cupboard doors cautiously.
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Inspect the entire length of chimneys carefully for damage.
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Unnoticed damage could lead to a fire.
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INSPECTING UTILITIES IN A DAMAGED HOME
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Check for gas leaks--If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing
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noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off
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the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas
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company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any
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reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
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Look for electrical system damage--If you see sparks or broken
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or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the
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electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have
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to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call
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an electrician first for advice.
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Check for sewage and water lines damage--If you suspect sewage
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lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber.
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If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid
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using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting
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ice cubes.
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MITIGATION
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Mitigation includes any activities that prevent an emergency,
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reduce the chance of an emergency happening, or lessen the damaging
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effects of unavoidable emergencies. Investing in preventive mitigation
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steps now such as repairing deep plaster cracks in ceilings and
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foundations, anchoring overhead lighting fixtures to the ceiling
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and following local seismic building standards, will help reduce
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the impact of earthquakes in the future. For more information
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on mitigation, contact your local emergency management office.
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Return
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