Earthquake Survival Tips

Recently, there have been a number of small tremors in Bulgaria.  It is possible that Sofia may experience some of these tremors, or even a larger earthquake. Here are some survival tips for your review:

Preparations:

Have an earthquake survival kit on hand
Plan family emergency procedures
Make plans for reuniting your family
Make sure all family members know how to turn off gas, water, and electricity
Don’t place heavy objects over beds
Keep heavy objects lower than head height of shortest member of family

During an earthquake:

Stay calm!
If inside, stand in a doorway, or crouch under a desk or table; stay away from windows or glass dividers
If outside, stand away from buildings, trees, and telephone and electrical lines
If on the road, drive away from underpasses and overpasses; stop in safe area; stay in vehicle.

After an earthquake:

Move to a safe place – prepare for aftershocks
Wear shoes
Check for injuries; provide first aid, if needed
Turn off appropriate utilities
Turn on the radio and listen for instructions from public safety agencies
When safe, conduct a safety check for gas, water breaks, downed power lines and shorts
Move your vehicle to a safe area, if it is in a garage, etc.
Check for building damage and potential problems

Survival Kits:

Emergency supplies should be adequate for at least 3 days
A 10-day supply of water, food, and medicine is recommended.
It might prove useful to include:
- passports and or other picture IDs;
- other important documents like medical/real estate insurance, copy of a will, real estate deed, etc.
- about $100 cash

Safety:

Heavy shoes for each family member
Heavy gloves for cleaning debris
Candles
Matches dipped in wax and kept in waterproof container
Sharp knife or razor blades
Garden hose for siphoning and fire fighting
Complete change of dry clothing for each family member

Cooking:

Outdoor barbeque, charcoal and lighter, or sterno stove
Food – canned or individually packaged; precooked, requiring minimum heat and water. Consider infants, pets, and other special dietary requirements.
Can opener
Sealable plastic bags of various sizes
Pots – at least two, and utensils
Paper plates, plastic utensils, paper towels

Misc. Supplies:

Fire Extinguisher – dry chemical, type ABC
Water – 2 quarts to 1 gallon per person, per day
Flashlight with spare batteries and bulbs
First Aid kit – ample and freshly stocked
First Aid manual – know how to use it
Radio – portable, battery operated, with spare batteries
Blankets
Watch or clock – battery operated or spring-wound
Critical medication, extra eyeglasses, contact cases and supplies
Ground cloth
Large trash cans
Hand soap, liquid detergent, shampoo
Toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss
Feminine supplies
Infant supplies
Bathroom tissue

Tools:

Axe
Shovel
Broom
Crescent wrench for turning off gas main
Screwdrivers
Pliers
Hammer
Rope or wire
Plastic tape
Pen and paper

Sanitation:

Large plastic trash bags for trash, waste, water protection