Outdoor Earthquake Safety

If you live in (or are visiting) an area that is prone to earthquakes, you should make doubly sure that you fully understand safety measures for both inside structures as well as outside. It is considered far safer to be inside than outside when an earthquake happens, as the structure can shield you from falling debris (if you choose to follow the correct safety rules). However, if you find yourself outside when an earthquake hits, taking certain measures will greatly lessen the possibility of bodily injury.

Stay Outside

• If you are outside when an earthquake occurs, never attempt to make your way back inside a dwelling. This is because precious seconds can be lost trying to get to a safe interior location (under a strong-framed table, desk or doorway if it is load-bearing): you may be hit with falling debris from the ceiling before you reach an area of safety. Also, one of the most dangerous areas is directly outside a house or exit from a building, and along exterior walls.

Find a Flat Open Space

• Look up and around, very quickly taking into account large structures or overhead electrical wires. Move away quickly from all buildings, street lamps or anything that may lose structural integrity. Electrical and telephone wires are obviously dangerous and may also become disconnected. Tree roots may break, so move out of the potential reach of a falling tree. Make your way to an open space that is preferably flat and far away from these aforementioned objects.

Don't Move Until the Earthquake Stops

• Once you have reached a safe outside location, stay there until all shaking stops and try to remain calm (the more anxiety you feel, the more rash judgments you will be likely to make). Disaster movies aside, the vast majority of earthquake casualties and deaths come from falling objects like roofing, broken glass and falling brick walls. Seldom does the earth open up or move to an extent that life would be directly threatened.

Stay In Your Vehicle

• If you are in a vehicle driving along either a surface road or freeway, pull over to the side and stop. However, as before, quickly look around to study potentially hazardous structures: stay away from overpasses, intersections where there may be overhanging street lights and possible buildings on the side of the road that might become structurally unsound. Stay in the car. Do not proceed with driving until the earthquake has passed, and even then, do so with extreme caution; keep an eye out for fallen electrical wires, unsound structures and other hazards.

Help Others In Distress

• When the earthquake has passed (which can last from a few seconds to over a minute), check to make sure you have sustained no bodily injuries. If you have, make your way to the nearest hospital or medial facility for treatment. If you are okay, take a few seconds to attain any lost composure and attempt communication with family/friends (cell phones are obviously helpful in such circumstances). While keeping a close eye on your surroundings for potential dangers, check to see if any people in your local vicinity need help. If casualties are found, contact the local police/paramedics for help.