Sudden and intense back and forth motions will cause the floor to jerk, and every unsecured object surrounding you could topple. That is the reason why you should instantly react when you feel the first jolt. Stay inside if you are inside and outside if you are outside.
Drop, Cover, Hold on!
Drop: Just as the earthquake starts shaking the ground, drop down on your knees and hands. This position gives a stable balance which prevents you from tumbling.
Cover: Mainly cover the head and neck, but covering the whole body by hide under sturdy furniture or a strong shelter so you don’t get injured would be preferred.
Hold on: Keep holding on to the shelter (table or desk) or just your head and neck until the shaking ceases. Make sure to never let go even after the shaking stops.
Cover: Mainly cover the head and neck, but covering the whole body by hide under sturdy furniture or a strong shelter so you don’t get injured would be preferred.
Hold on: Keep holding on to the shelter (table or desk) or just your head and neck until the shaking ceases. Make sure to never let go even after the shaking stops.
INSIDE
Classroom:
- Try not to panic and don’t run outside, the most dangerous thing you can do during an earthquake is to try to leave; there would be things falling everywhere which could hurt you.
- Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.
- Stay away from places that might have gas leaks or flammable substances especially the science labs and the kitchen area.
- Hide and cover your head in a classroom during an earthquake. Stationary and books might be flying around so it would be very dangerous.
- Don’t move around a lot as it can be risky. If you are stuck under debris, call for help but don’t try to move anything around because the debris might be the pillar that’s saving your life.
Library
- Shelves and books and glass will be everywhere.
- Quickly hide under the desks
- Avoid using the elevator which is near the library because electricity will be cut off and you’ll be stuck and the ropes of the elevator might be cut due to the shaking.
- You should go into one of the conference rooms if you are nearby since those rooms don't have a lot of objects, but make sure to stay away from the glass door.
Science Laboratories
- When you are doing an experiment that involves Busen Burners, extinguish any Bunsen burners and turn off the gas.
- Listen out for any announcements made through the loudspeakers as they may update you on the situation and inform you on any instructions.
- If you smell gas or hear a hissing noise, open a window and quickly move out of the room.
Canteen
- Tables in the canteen might not be too sturdy but if you take cover under the table make sure to never let go of it, it will protects you from flying objects. Stay away from the glass doors and the microwaves.
- If the magnitude of the earthquake it too strong and chairs might move too violently, hiding away from the clutter of chairs would be a good idea.
- Believe it or not, the pretty and decorative lamps will fall almost definitely if an earthquake happens.
Do Not:
- Do not stand next to a window as it might shatter and injure you even from a few meters away. This rule also goes with anything sharp or heavy.
- Do not stand near power lines, light poles, buildings. There might be electrical sparks and fires.
- Do not run outside if you are inside during an earthquake. Objects falling off from the exterior of the buildings (glass, air conditioners, and pieces of metal) might harm you. It is better to stay put until the shaking stops.
- Do not use the elevator as it would get stuck because of short-circuit in the electricity. You might get trapped inside.
- Do not drive, or walk over bridges or ramps when the quake hits because those structures might have been damaged and have cracks in them. The best thing to do would be park the bus where there are no trees, streetlights, wears, or buildings.
- Do not light any kind of fire if it’s dark, especially in the science laboratories, because there may be a gas leak nearby, and could cause an explosion/fire.
OUTSIDE
Campus
- If you are in the corridor, staircase, or any other area where there is no provision of a shelter, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch alongside the interior of the building.
- Since it is hard to move around a lot while the shaking, if you happen to be in the washroom, hide in the space under the washbasin. The doors of the cubicle are not very strong and may break off and injure you.
- In the time it takes you to run to the doorway, you could be injured from falling objects so please just cover.
In a Bus
- Just as the shaking starts the bus should be driven in an open area: clear from trees, light posts, street signs, buildings, and power lines. If the street is somewhat congested, try to keep a few meters gap between any of the things mentioned above as they might fall on you.
- Avoid parking under bridges or overpasses.
- Once the bus has been safely parked stay inside the vehicle with the seatbelts on until the shaking stops.
- Once the earthquake is over, resume the driving but proceed cautiously as there may have been damage caused to the bridges, ramps, and roads.
- Turn on the radio of the bus as it could be an aid by updating information on the earthquake.
Did you know?
The white block in the middle of B5 is a very dangerous area to stand in because it is surrounded by a big structure.
The buildings that have the weakest structure are the sports center/gym/swimming pool because the roof of the building has less support than the Arts Center and other buildings.
Earthquakes are recorded by instruments called seismographs. The goal of this scientific instrument is to record the motion of the ground during an earthquake and it is what tells us what magnitude the earthquake is.
The buildings that have the weakest structure are the sports center/gym/swimming pool because the roof of the building has less support than the Arts Center and other buildings.
Earthquakes are recorded by instruments called seismographs. The goal of this scientific instrument is to record the motion of the ground during an earthquake and it is what tells us what magnitude the earthquake is.