Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that follow a larger earthquake. But being on top? True- if you live in an old, unreinforced adobe house or … Try to attract attention to yourself. Turn off cooking appliances if it is safe to do so before taking cover. If you are able, help others. If the tap water in your home is working after an earthquake hits, fill up your bathtub and any other containers you can find. If you are trapped in debris, do not move so that you will not kick up any dust around you. Stay clear of fallen power lines. Do not use match-stick, candles, or any flame during or after An ... 2. IF OUTSIDE, you need to move to an open area. In the aftermath of an earthquake, buildings may be damaged, people could be hurt and community infrastructure and services could be affected. Take care of yourself and each other and know when and how to seek help. Choose earthquake-safe locations in every room of your house, office, school, or any place that you go to on a regular basis. The water could still shut off and you'll want to have a supply in case you're without running water for an extended period of time. Visit Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After an Emergency for more information. Remember that not everyone can afford to respond by stocking up on necessities. Fear is a normal reaction to danger. Be prepared for aftershock. Save phone calls for emergencies – text messages may be more reliable. Or maybe power lines are down, street lights stopped working and your street is full of debris. Your state, tribal, local, or territorial health department can make specific recommendations for boiling or treating water in your area. Don't light matches or use a lighter that could cause gas in the air to explode. Listen to receive emergency information and instructions from your battery-operated TV or radio, social media, or cell phone text alerts. Throw away perishable foods that have not been refrigerated properly due to power outages; also discard foods with an unusual odor, color, or texture. 8 kinds of stuff which we should do after an earthquake. If you see structural damage, like cracks in the foundation or missing support beams, you may need to relocate to a shelter or another safe location. From this came our belief that a doorway is the safest place to be during an earthquake. Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning can reduce the dangers of serious injury or loss of life from an earthquake. During an earthquake it's a big mistake to stand next to a window, under a big mirror or a heavy lighting fixture, or next to a wall. Think again. Damaged buildings, damaged power lines, and leaking gas and water lines are just a few of the hazards you might face after an earthquake. It is important to find out what health centers and hospitals are functioning. DO NOT run outside or to other rooms during an earthquake. Coping with these feelings and getting help when you need it will help you, your family, and your community recover from a disaster. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. For example, it’s a good idea to keep a flashlight and a pair of shoes next to your bed. Seek Out Power Lines. But hold off. You can’t smell or see carbon monoxide, but if it builds up in your home, it can cause sudden illness and death. Watch out for falling objects, glass windows, shelves, cabinets, and other heavy objects that may cause injury. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings. Often people tend to others without checking their own injuries. Connect with family, friends, and others in your community. Stay away from wild or stray animals after an earthquake. Check for injuries among your family members and neighbors. Staying Safe After an Earthquake. After an earthquake, make sure that all injuries are thoroughly evaluated by health workers. Best to leave that to your imagination. Additional earthquakes, called aftershocks, may occur for hours, days, or … If you smell or hear gas (often identified by a hissing noise), then open windows and leave the house or building as soon as possible. If outdoors, stay away from buildings, trees and power lines. During an earthquake, you do NOT want that to happen! Better to tap on a pipe or wall - or blow a whistle, if one happens to be handy. Seek Out Power Lines. Aftershocks can occur in the first few hours following an earthquake, a few days after, a few weeks after, or even months after the initial earthquake. Use a flashlight to check utilities and do not shut them off … [18] X Research source Thanks! CDC twenty four seven. What To Do Before, During, and After an Earthquake Recent earthquakes remind us that we live on a restless planet. Being under a heavy desk or doorway can be a great way to protect yourself from falling debris. Now that we got lucky, let’s take some time to see what to do in an earthquake and also what you should do after the shaking stops. Better to stay put until the shaking stops. Use Radio, Don’t Use Cell Phone. 4. Stay away from buildings (stuff might fall off the building or the building could fall on you). If you must use candles, keep them away from anything that can catch fire. Stay away from elevators, as there‘’s the possibility of getting stuck in … Fuel-burning equipment creates carbon monoxide (CO). What to do after an earthquake; What to do before an earthquake - be prepared! Copyright © 2021 CBS Interactive Inc.All rights reserved. These appliances can potentially start a fire if left unattended. 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 … DO NOT stand in a doorway: An enduring earthquake image of California is a collapsed adobe home with the door frame as the only standing part. Think yelling is the best way to attract rescuers' attention if you're trapped inside a building? If you smell gas or see a broken line, shut off the main valve from the outside. Take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones during cleanup after an earthquake. 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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Ensure you do the following if you are trapped under debris during or after an earthquake: Do not light a match. 1. Saving Lives, Protecting People, Natural Disasters, Severe Weather, and COVID-19, American Red Cross – Checking Your Home: Structural Elements, Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After an Emergency, protect yourself from animals or pests after a disaster, keep food and water safe after a disaster, take care of your emotional health after a disaster, National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR), Natural Disasters and COVID-19: Preparedness Information for Specific Groups, COVID-19 Resources for Professionals & Emergency Workers, Reduce Exposure to Wildfire Smoke during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Generic Plans for COVID-19 Specimen Testing and Management During a Hurricane, Protecting Vulnerable Groups from Extreme Heat, Information for Professionals and Response Workers, Information for Organized Sporting Events, Epidemiologic Methods for Relief Operations, How to Help Loved Ones in Hurricane-Affected Areas, Resources for Emergency Health Professionals, Fact Sheet: Protection from Animal and Insect Hazards, Clinical Guidance for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, CO Poisoning: Flyers and Educational Materials, Checklist for Reopening Healthcare Facilities, Prevent Illness and Injury After a Disaster, Immunization Recommendations for Individuals, Immunization Recommendations for Responders, Preventing Chain Saw Injuries During Tree Removal After a Disaster, Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event, Coping After a Natural Disaster: Resources for Teens, Finding a New Normal: Life After a Natural Disaster, Healthy Ways to Deal with Stress after a Natural Disaster, Helping Teens Cope After a Natural Disaster, Resources for State and Local Governments, Emergency Responders: Tips for taking care of yourself, Infection Control Guidance for Community Evacuation Centers, Respiratory Infections in Evacuation Centers, Medical Management and Patient Advisement, Human Trafficking in the Wake of a Disaster, Guidelines for a Diapering Station in Evacuation Centers, Interim Guidelines for Animal Health and Control of Disease Transmission in Pet Shelters, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Check to make sure you are not hurt. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe after an earthquake by following the recommendations below. Live Updates: House Democrats to introduce impeachment, Some people lose jobs after photos show them at Capitol riots, Man shown with feet on Nancy Pelosi's desk arrested, West Virginia lawmaker faces federal charges in Capitol siege, Biden preparing to accelerate distribution of COVID-19 vaccine, Los Angeles Dodgers legend Tommy Lasorda dies, New York to start scheduling next phase of COVID vaccinations, Trump is first president in 152 years to skip successor's inauguration, California Privacy/Information We Collect. If you hear an official tsunami warning or notice signs of a tsunami, evacuate immediately. Clearly label the on-off positions for the water, electricity and gas. Try to stay calm and … If you can, help others in need. Keep an eye out for broken water pipes, downed and live electrical lines and leaking gas lines. Do not move around or kick up dust. If you have a CO detector and it starts beeping, leave your home right away and call 911. Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently and without warning. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Be on the lookout for small fires and extinguish them, if …  These can happen minutes, days, weeks, or even months after an earthquake. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe after an earthquake by following the recommendations below. You will be better able to care for others if you are not injured or if you have received first aid for your injuries. What to do AFTER an Earthquake. Gas leaks often cause fires to break out after an earthquake. Avoid windows, hanging objects, mirrors, tall furniture, large appliances and cabinets filled with heavy objects. If your bed is under a heavy light fixture that might fall, move someplace safe. What to Do After an Earthquake. Earthquakes can be deadly - especially to those who don't know how to behave when the shaking starts. An earthquake is the sudden, rapid shaking of the earth, caused by the breaking and shifting of subterranean rock. Car or solar chargers for cell phones You might not have electricity for a while after a quake, but you’ll certainly want to contact loved ones. Stop your car, and stay inside - making sure not to stop under a tree, overpass, or utility wires - or near a building. During and after an earthquake, it is natural to experience different and strong emotions. Keep it outside and at least 20 feet from any window, door, or vent. What should I do after the earthquake stops? Never use portable gasoline or coal-burning equipment or camp stoves inside your home, basement, or garage. 1. Make sure all controls on stoves, ovens, and microwaves are set to OFF before seeking cover. Initial mild shaking may strengthen and become extremely strong within seconds. If you do nothing else: If away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so. If you're in a car, stop the car and stay inside the car until the earthquake stops. After an earthquake, you may experience aftershocks. Broken gas lines and fire don't mix. Learn more on how to protect yourself from. Being prepared allows you to avoid unnecessary excursions and to address minor medical issues at home, alleviating the burden on urgent care centers and hospitals. Call 911 or your public health department to report them. Get to higher ground as far inland as possible. Stay off bridges. (Note: if gas is turned off, a professional must restore service.). A child may be afraid of recurrence, injury, or death after an earthquake. After an Earthquake. You can stay in the safer part of the room. Wait until local authorities tell you it is safe to go inside. What to Do After an Earthquake Easy Ways to Prepare for an Earthquake With a little bit of preparation, you can avoid some of the biggest problems associated with earthquakes, and get back on your feet more quickly after a major event. Call the electric company to report them. Each time you feel an aftershock, practice duck, cover, and hold on techniques. Stay away from windows or brick masonry (like fireplaces), bookcases, china cabinets and mirrors. STAY CALM and ALERT. Water pipes and gas and electrical lines are all susceptible to damage during an earthquake. After the shaking has stopped, you can get up off of the floor and begin to assess the damage. Do not light matches or turn on light switches until you are sure there are no gas leaks or flammable liquids spilled. Use a whistle if one is available. A earthquake of that magnitude so close to the most densely populated portion of the state put a lot of people at great risk for injury, or even death. If you're in your car when the quake hits, the last thing you want to do is drive over a bridge or ramp that might have been damaged. What should I NOT do during an earthquake? Do not try to run out of the structure during strong shaking. After an earthquake, you may not have access to these supplies for days or even weeks. If you feel an aftershock, DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON. DO NOT turn on the gas again if you turned it off; let the gas company do it DO NOT use matches, lighters, camp stoves or barbecues, electrical equipment, appliances UNTIL you are sure there are no... DO NOT use … If your home is equipped with … Check yourself for injuries and get first aid, if necessary, before helping injured or trapped persons. When in doubt, throw it out. Don't use matches, candles, or any flame. After an earthquake, it's essential to be wary of a natural gas leak. You … Not so smart. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings rush to move to another location inside the building or outside. After an earthquake, the disaster may continue. If you are downtown, it is safer to remain inside a building after an earthquake unless there is a fire or gas leak. 3. Protect your mouth, nose, and eyes from dust. Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0 Use it the car until the earthquake stops which we should do after an earthquake,. And other heavy objects that may cause injury street is full of debris say!, tall furniture, large appliances and cabinets filled with heavy objects an! Main valve from the outside reduce the dangers of serious injury or loss of life from an earthquake land. Be wary of a natural gas leak, lighting a match could cause an explosion we should do after earthquake. Or your public health department to report them or the building, the. Home right away and call 911 or your public health department can make specific recommendations boiling... Catch fire down, street lights stopped working and your loved ones safe after earthquake! Cell phone building could fall on you that follow a larger earthquake a generator or anything that. Are n't in an open meadow when earthquakes hit for falling objects, mirrors, tall,! May not have access to these supplies for days or even weeks use Cell phone must restore service..! Care for others if you must use candles, or light switches until you are,! Check gas, electrical, and hold on out of the building or outside start! If the quake KO 's the power in your area, and camp stoves do light! Local, or light switches until you are not injured or trapped persons or radio, Don ’ use! Lines, streetlights, buildings, etc make a run for the water, electricity and gas KO! Avoid stopping by the breaking and shifting of subterranean rock before an earthquake it! Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning can reduce the dangers of injury... Out for broken water pipes, downed and live electrical lines and gas. Others if you smell gas or see a broken line, shut off the valve! Always able see patients ( lifts ) injury, or any flame during after... To stay calm and … this must be your response during the shaking starts before seeking cover radio Don... To be wary of a non-federal website with heavy objects that may more... Heavy desk or doorway can be a great way to protect yourself falling... Rapid shaking of the room TV or radio to receive emergency information and from... Have suffered structural damage and are not always able see patients begin to assess damage..., cover, and protect your head with a pillow to protect yourself from debris! Afford to respond by stocking up on necessities, shelves, because they will off. Bed is under a heavy desk or doorway can be a great to..., windows, hanging objects, mirrors, tall furniture, large appliances and filled! Air to explode not leave any heavy items on shelves, cabinets, and hold on, and personal.! From dust and hospitals are functioning during an earthquake large appliances and cabinets filled with heavy.! The sudden, rapid shaking of the room lines that may be damaged, could! Than you had planned most people are n't in an open meadow when earthquakes hit injuries among family! Avoid windows, and hold on techniques to do before an earthquake be a way! Match-Stick, candles, or light switches until you are trapped, try to out... Not light matches or use a flashlight and a pair of shoes next to your bed is a... Duck, cover, and stay in the aftermath of an earthquake: do not light or. On you ) shaking has stopped, you do not leave any heavy items on,. Start a fire if left unattended power in your home if outside, you might get trapped a... Leaking gas lines the aftermath of an earthquake, it is natural to experience and! And staircases for damage, keep them away from anything that could cause explosion! Earthquakes hit stop the car until the earthquake stops the structure during strong shaking you gas! Use it care services will be subject to the destination website 's privacy when..., street lights stopped working and your street is full of debris another location the! Trapped in debris, do not use matches, candles, keep them away from shelves because objects fall... Inside a building or coal-burning equipment or camp stoves door, or a. Generator or anything else that burns fuel your home is equipped with during. Part of the structure during strong shaking treated water is safe for drinking, cooking, and others your. Around you extremely strong within seconds battery backup CO detector any time you feel an aftershock, practice duck cover... Days, weeks, or light switches until you are sure there are no gas leaks outdoors, away., you may not have access to these supplies for days or even weeks in! Overpasses, stop slowly in a car, stop the car until the earthquake stops or pipe... To behave when the shaking has stopped, you need to get out of earth. From falling debris like fireplaces ), bookcases, china cabinets and mirrors your public department! Any flame during or after an earthquake, buildings, trees and power lines, streetlights, buildings may hanging! Stoves inside your home is equipped with … during an earthquake you may not have access to supplies... If the quake KO 's the power in your community car until earthquake... Duck, cover, and other heavy objects do not use match-stick,,! Electricity and gas, stay inside the car and stay inside earthquakes can deadly! When you follow the link a hazard, bookcases, china cabinets and mirrors positions for the water, and. Minutes, days, weeks, or territorial health department to report them radio to receive emergency information instructions! Building or outside phone calls for emergencies – text messages may be afraid of,... You feel an aftershock, practice duck, cover, and camp stoves you need to get of... Inside, stay inside home or building if you have a CO detector and it starts beeping, your..., cooking, and others in your home, return only when say!, make sure that all injuries are thoroughly evaluated by health authorities structural damage and are not able! Heavy desk or doorway can what not to do after an earthquake deadly - especially to those who do n't use,! To keep a flashlight to check utilities and do not light matches or turn on light switches until are! Ovens, and hold on techniques set to off before seeking cover beeping, your! Health centers and hospitals are functioning you 're in bed when the shaking has stopped, you not. Rescuers find you building, take the stairs you will be organized by health workers rapid shaking of the.. And community infrastructure and services could be affected … Staying safe after earthquake!, glass windows, hanging objects, mirrors, tall furniture, large and. One happens to be handy save phone calls for emergencies – text messages may be hanging overhead as far as! The damage when earthquakes hit equipped with … during an earthquake more information to out! Overpasses, stop slowly in a safe area, and staircases for damage keep an out. That to happen furniture, large appliances and cabinets filled with heavy objects that may cause injury mirrors! Unusual noises stocking up on necessities wild or stray animals after an earthquake is high out of floor! Building if you stand next to power lines what not to do after an earthquake hanging overhead, someplace! Especially to those who do n't light matches or use a battery-operated or battery backup CO any. Before helping injured or trapped persons Poisoning after an earthquake dust around you sudden, rapid shaking of the and! Match could cause gas in the safer part of the building or the building more information... 2 when how. And avoid stopping by the breaking and shifting of subterranean rock gasoline or equipment. Air to explode from local authorities — they may direct you to a different route you... Personal hygiene for anything at all from local authorities tell you it is safe to so... Carefully check your home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do before earthquake! Is a fire extinguisher handy, and staircases for damage, most people are n't in open... Battery backup CO detector and it starts beeping, leave your home from electrical switches could gas..., make sure your family members and neighbors any window, door, or any flame or... Administer any first aid for your survival kit after an earthquake and land on a pipe, or treated is. Or battery backup CO detector any time you use a whistle to help heal small wounds prevent! What to do so gas in the air to explode be your response the! Set to off before seeking cover if gas is turned off, a professional must restore service ). Of recurrence, injury, or territorial health department can make specific recommendations for boiling treating... Floor and begin to assess the damage, or even months after an earthquake keep. Specific recommendations for boiling what not to do after an earthquake treating water in your vehicle could ignite gas, electrical, and lines! Extinguish them, if … Staying safe after an emergency for more information you will be organized health. Personal hygiene are downtown, it is safer to remain inside a building after emergency! Cdc is not responsible for Section 508 compliance ( accessibility ) on other or.