how to survive an earthquake know what to do and what not to do
if a big quake hits you will need a safe place
sturdy shoes a fire extinguisher and a flashlight
optional work gloves and a helmet or hard hat
step 1 extinguish all flames and cigarettes if you're indoors
move away from windows and any unsecured tall rolling or heavy furniture and
equipment step to drop to your knees and curl up
this minimizes injuries by making yourself a smaller target next cover
your head neck and chest by crawling under something sturdy like the table
finally hold on to your cover if there's nothing around you to scoot under cover
your head with your hands
stay put until the tremor stop forget the old advice about standing in a
doorway in most modern buildings doorways are no stronger than any other
area
step 3 if you're outdoors get away from the building's walls power lines and
trees
if that's not possible get inside a building the worst place to be standing
is next to a building where you could be hit by falling debris
step 4 if you're driving ease off the accelerator and come to a stop slowly
avoid getting stuck on or under an overpass or bridge
place the car in park and remain inside until the tremor stock
step 5 when the shaking stops put on sturdy shoes before you move around if
you have work gloves and helmet or hard hat
put those on to step 6 exit the building our car check to see if anyone is
injured
watch out for hazards that might fall from overhead or that might be on the
ground in front of you
step 7 once back in her home
don't like matches a lighter or your stove until you're sure you have no gas
leaks
use a flashlight to check for broken pipes
cracks in walls loose light fixtures and damaged electrical wires open closet and
cabinet doors carefully contents may have shifted
step 8 anticipate aftershocks which can continue four days after an earthquake
did you know geologists estimated twenty to forty percent chance of a major
earthquake hitting new york city by twenty fifty six