Earthquake rescue manual-what should we do after the earthquake

This article describes how we can save ourselves after an earthquake, focusing on what to do after an earthquake to avoid danger and reduce losses. It involves many details in life, including water, electricity, housing and many other aspects.

Check your injuries. After the earthquake, people often went to help others without checking their injuries. We can only help others more effectively if we ensure that we are not injured, or if we receive emergency treatment after injury.

Wear long pants, long-sleeved tops, sturdy shoes, and work gloves to protect yourself. These measures will prevent you from being scratched by broken objects.

After taking care of yourself, actively help the injured or trapped. If possible, call 110 as soon as possible and help implement the rescue. Do not move people who are seriously injured unless they are being injured or are in immediate danger.

Find and extinguish small fires to eliminate the risk of fire. Use existing resources to extinguish small fires as soon as possible to prevent the fire from spreading. Fire is the most common danger after an earthquake. After the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, the fire continued for three days, causing more damage than the earthquake itself.

Unless you smell gas or think the gas is leaking, you don't need to turn off the gas valve. It may take several weeks or months for professionals to reopen the gas valve in the correct way. If you open the gas valve without authorization, it may cause an explosion and cause casualties.

Immediately clean up spilled medicines, bleach, gasoline, or other flammable products. Avoid harm caused by these chemicals.

Be careful when opening closets and cabinets. The items inside may have been scattered with the shaking of the earthquake to prevent them from falling and causing injury.

Check the damage to the house. If it is not safe in the house, please go outdoors immediately. Aftershocks after the earthquake will cause further damage, and some unstable houses may collapse. If an earthquake just happened, please go to an open place immediately.

To help neighbors, they may need special assistance. Families with elderly and disabled people, as well as families with large populations, may need additional assistance in emergencies. Please help them.

If possible, get the latest information and instructions through the radio (be careful to save the battery), TV, etc. In the event of a power outage, a battery-powered radio may be your main source of information. Local radio stations and local officials will provide the most effective advice appropriate to your situation.

Be prepared for aftershocks. Every time you feel aftershocks, please hide yourself in the right place and hold on! An earthquake may occur after a few minutes, days, weeks, or even months.

Beware of falling wires and damaged gas pipes, and stay away from dangerous areas. The dangers caused by earthquakes are complex and difficult to predict, and you may be easily injured.

Keep away from damaged buildings. If you are not at home, wait until the official news says it is safe and then go back. Aftershocks after the earthquake may collapse the damaged buildings.

Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights whenever possible. Kerosene lamps, torches, candles, matches, etc., can easily tip over or spontaneously cause a fire.

Check the damage of the chimney carefully. Some unintentional damage may cause a fire, and the debris that falls after the aftershock will hurt people. Cracks in those chimneys may even cause a fire a few years later.

Take photos, record the destruction of houses and furniture, etc., and leave good evidence for insurance claims.

Avoid smoking indoors. Smoking in a confined place may cause a fire.

When entering the building, be very careful. What you think is the most unlikely place to be dangerous, may actually have destroyed the building. Be very careful every step you take.

Carefully inspect walls, floors, doors, stairs, and windows to ensure that they do not fall debris or collapse.

Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, open the window and leave quickly. If possible, turn off the gas from the main valve outside. Call the gas company from a neighbor's house to let them deal with it. If you turn off the gas yourself, you must ask a professional to turn it back on, and do not act without permission.

Check the damage of the home circuit system. If you see electrical sparks or damage to aging wires, or if you smell a burnt plastic, immediately turn off the power through the main fuse box or main switch. In case of abnormal situation, do not act arbitrarily, it is better to seek the help of an electrician.

Check the sewer pipe and water pipe. If you suspect the sewer pipe is broken, stop using the toilet and call the plumber for treatment. If the water pipe is damaged, contact the water company and avoid using the water in the faucet, which may be contaminated.

Be careful of loose plaster walls, drywall and ceiling to prevent them from falling or collapsing and causing damage.

Unless there is a life-threatening situation, minimize phone use during an earthquake. The telephone line was busy during the earthquake and was reserved for people who were in danger of life.

Pay attention to the abnormalities of animals, tie up animals such as dogs and cats, and put them in the fence. During an earthquake, pets may behave abnormally, and usually calm and friendly cats and dogs may be strongly aggressive or self-defense, avoiding them from causing trouble to humans.

Excerpt from the American Red Cross website. From: Talking About Disaster: Guide for Standard Messages. Produced by the National Disaster Education Coalition, Washington, DC, 1999.