Earthquake Safety: Before, During and After
By Fire Safety BD · Last updated
How to prepare a home or office, what Drop, Cover and Hold On means, and what to check once the shaking stops.
An earthquake gives no warning, so everything useful is done beforehand. Bangladesh lies in an earthquake-prone region, and in a dense city the things that hurt people most are falling objects, glass and panic on the stairs.
Before
- Fix tall cupboards, bookshelves and water filters to the wall.
- Keep heavy items on low shelves, and nothing heavy above beds.
- Know how to turn off the gas, the main electrical switch and the water.
- Pick the safe spot in each room: under a sturdy table, or beside an inside wall away from windows.
- Keep an emergency bag near the door and a torch and shoes beside the bed.
- Agree a meeting point in an open space, and a relative outside the city everyone can report to.
During: Drop, Cover, Hold On
- Drop to your hands and knees before the shaking knocks you down.
- Cover your head and neck. Get under a sturdy table or desk; if there is none, crouch beside an inside wall and protect your head with your arms.
- Hold on until the shaking stops.
- Stay away from windows, glass, hanging lights and tall furniture.
- Do not use the lift, and do not run for the stairs while the building is moving.
- In bed: stay there and cover your head with a pillow.
- Outside: move into the open, away from buildings, walls and overhead wires.
- Driving: slow down and stop clear of bridges, flyovers and wires.
After
- Expect aftershocks, and drop and cover again each time.
- Check yourself and others for injuries and give first aid.
- If you smell gas, turn it off if you can, open windows and leave. Do not light a flame or use switches.
- Put on shoes before walking — there will be broken glass.
- Leave by the stairs once the shaking has stopped, and do not go back into a damaged building.
- Use text messages rather than calls so the network stays free for emergencies.
- If trapped: tap on a pipe or wall and use a whistle rather than shouting, to save breath.
Frequently asked questions
Should I run outside when an earthquake starts?
No. Most injuries happen when people try to move during the shaking and are hit by falling objects or fall on stairs. Drop, take cover and hold on until it stops, then leave carefully.
What should an emergency bag contain?
Drinking water, dry food, a torch, a whistle, a first aid kit, regular medicines, a radio, a power bank, copies of important documents and some cash — enough for the household for a few days.