|
 Home
> Disasters > Earthquakes
> What you should do
 
What
you should do
Know
your local earthquake risk
What
you should do
|
•
|
Ask your
local Council if whether tremors or earthquakes have ever
occurred in your area and what damage resulted. |
|
•
|
Study
that information and ask your local Council about ways to
make your house safer in the event of an earthquake. |
|
•
|
Find
out how and where to turn off power, gas and water supplies. |
|
•
|
Plan
together where your family will meet if separated. |
|
•
|
Know
your safe areas during an earthquake. |
|
•
|
Check
that you have adequate household and contents insurance and
which hazards are not covered by the policy. |
Watch
for possible warning signs
|
•
|
Erratic
animal behaviour - scared or confused pets or birdcalls not
usually heard at night may indicate that an earthquake is
imminent. |
|
•
|
Ground
water levels - Watch for sudden water level changes in wells
or artesian bores. |
When
an earthquake hits
|
•
|
If you
are indoors - stay there (clear of falling debris outside).
Keep clear of windows, chimneys and overhead fittings. Shelter
under and hold onto a door frame, strong table or bench. |
|
•
|
In high
rise buildings, stay clear of windows and outer walls. Shelter
under a desk near a pillar or internal wall. |
|
•
|
DO
NOT
use elevators. |
|
•
|
In crowded
areas or stores, do not rush for doors, but move clear of
overhead fittings and shelves. |
|
•
|
If outside,
keep well clear of buildings, overhead structures, walls,
bridges, powerlines, trees etc. |
|
•
|
In a
city street, shelter from falling debris under strong archways
or doorways of buildings. Don't go under awnings as they may
collapse. |
|
•
|
In a
vehicle, stop in an open area until shaking stops. |
|
•
|
Beware
of downed powerlines and road damage, including overpasses
and bridges. Listen to your car radio for warnings before
moving. |
After an
earthquake
|
•
|
Turn
off electricity, gas, water and DO
NOT light matches until after you have checked
for gas or fuel leaks. |
|
•
|
Check
for injuries and apply first aid. DO
NOT move seriously injured people unless they are
in immediate danger. |
|
•
|
Check
for broken water, sewerage or electrical mains. |
|
•
|
DO NOT
use the telephone immediately (to avoid congestion) unless
there is a life threatening situation. |
|
•
|
Check
for cracks and damage to the roof, chimney etc. |
|
•
|
Evacuate
the building if it is badly damaged and be prepared for aftershocks. |
|
•
|
Do not
waste food and water as supplies may be interrupted. Collect
emergency water from heaters, ice cubes, toilet tanks and
canned foods. |
|
•
|
Listen
to your local radio station and heed warnings and advice on
damage and service disruptions. |
|
•
|
Try to
avoid driving unless for an emergency (to keep the streets
free for emergency services). |
|
•
|
Do not
go sightseeing or enter damaged buildings. |
|
•
|
Try to
stay calm and help others if possible. |
Further information about earthquakes:
Queensland
University Advanced Centre for Earthquake Studies
www.quakes.uq.edu.au/
Seismology
Research Centre
www.seis.com.au/EQ/Earthquakes
Geoscience
Australia: Earthquake Information
www.agso.gov.au/geohazards/quakes
|
