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| EARTHQUAKE
SURVIVAL FOR CHIDREN
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| Earthquakes
are caused by the breaking and shifting of rock beneath
the earth’s surface. They can strike without warning
and can occur at any time. New Zealand has a moderate to
very high risk of earthquakes. Save the Children’s
emergency experts share what to do in the event of an earthquake,
and how you can keep children safe during a disaster. |
PREPARING
YOUR FAMILY FOR AN EARTHQUAKE |
| Talk
to your children about earthquakes. |
Explain
to your child what could happen, using simple, age-appropriate
words. Outline an emergency plan for the whole family,
with an evacuation plan and meeting location and
emphasize that their safety is your utmost priority. |
| Find
safe spots in your home. |
Identify
and discuss the safest place in an earthquake in
your home and tell children to go there immediately
if they feel an earthquake. The safest place is
an interior room of your house without any windows,
such as a bathroom or closet. If possible, take
cover under something sturdy, like a heavy table. |
| Practice
earthquake drills. |
Once
you’ve created your evacuation plan and talked
with your children about it, it’s time to
practice. Practicing earthquake drills will help
children understand what to do and how to stay safe
during an earthquake. |
| Learn
your child’s school or childcare disaster plans. |
If child’s school or childcare center is in
an area at risk from earthquakes, find out how their
emergency plan addresses earthquakes. Learn their
procedures for evacuation, notifying parents and
if there is an alternate pick up location. |
| Keep
contact information up to date. |
Phone numbers, addresses and relationships change.
Keep your children’s school or childcare emergency
release information up to date, so that if an earthquake
strikes, you’ll know where your child is and
who can pick them up. |
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DURING
AN EARTHQUAKE |
| Drop,
cover, and hold on. |
If you’re inside, drop to the ground and
take cover under something sturdy like a desk
or table. With one hand hold on to the object
and with your other arm protect your head and
neck. If you don’t have anything sturdy
to take cover under, crouch down next to an interior
wall. Stay indoors until the shaking stops and
you’re sure it’s safe to exit. In
most buildings in New Zealand you are safer if
you stay where you are until the shaking stops.
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| Find
an open area. |
If
you’re outside, the safest place in an earthquake
is a clear spot away from buildings, trees, streetlights
and power lines. Drop to the ground and stay there
until the shaking stops. |
| If
in a vehicle, stop. |
Pull
over to a clear location, stop and stay there with
your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops.pull
over to a clear location, stop and stay there with
your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops.
Once the shaking stops, proceed with caution and
avoid bridges or ramps that might have been damaged. |
| If
you are at the beach. |
If
you are at the beach or near the coast, drop, cover
and hold then move to higher ground immediately
in case a tsunami follows the quake. |
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FOLLOWING
AN EARTHQUAKE |
| Listen
to your local radio stations as emergency management
officials will be broadcasting the most appropriate
advice for your community and situation. |
Expect to feel aftershocks. |
Check
yourself for injuries and get first aid if necessary.
Help others if you can. |
Be
aware that electricity supply could be cut, and
fire alarms and sprinkler systems can go off in
buildings during an earthquake even if there is
no fire. Check for, and extinguish, small fires. |
If
you are in a damaged building, try to get outside
and find a safe, open place. Use the stairs, not
the elevators. |
Watch
out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines,
and stay out of damaged areas. |
Only use the phone for short essential calls to
keep the lines clear for emergency calls. |
If
you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise,
open a window, get everyone out quickly and turn
off the gas if you can. If you see sparks, broken
wires or evidence of electrical system damage, turn
off the electricity at the main fuse box if it is
safe to do so. |
Keep
your animals under your direct control as they can
become disorientated. Take measures to protect your
animals from hazards, and to protect other people
from your animals. |
If
your property is damaged, take notes and photographs
for insurance purposes. If you rent your property,
contact your landlord and your contents insurance
company as soon as possible. |
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