With the ripple effects of Nepal’s earthquakes being felt in India for a second time (even down south) and a third one also predicted to be on the way, it would be a good idea to be prepared for such natural disasters. Instead of thinking it could never happen to you, here are 10 things you should do instead.
1. Keep a bag always packed and ready with copies of all your important documents so that you are not left stranded without any identity papers in case your home is put out of commission for a while.
2. Get familiarised with evacuation and earthquake plans for your building, if there are any.
3. Pick safe places in each room of your home/ workplace/ college. This could be either under a piece of furniture, like the dining table and away from a book shelf or a window, to avoid projectile books and glass. Avoid tall furniture as it could fall on you.
4. Doors are only as strong as other things in your room. So in case of a violent tremor, don’t attempt to exit as you might get crushed under doorways. Stay put and take cover under furniture.
5. Only exit after the tremors have stopped and avoid using elevators.
6. Keep a torch and a pair of sturdy shoes by each person’s bed.
7. Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds and sofas and any other places where people sit or sleep.
8. Keep your water heaters and gas appliances firmly braced to the walls with studs. Learn to shut the gas valve off in case of an emergency and keep a wrench handy in case it’s stuck fast.
9. In case of floods, put together a basic supply kit of canned food, bottles of water and medicines for your family, in case of emergencies. If there is an announced imminent danger of flood, make sure to pack warm clothes for your family and check out the highest ground in your building to take shelter in.
10. To be prepared for fire, keep a couple of water and sand buckets handy. Also keep a fire extinguisher handy in case of electrical fires.
Image Courtesy: Reuters/ ©Thinkstock photos/ Getty images
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