While @ Home
After an Earth Quake
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Check yourself for injuries. Protect yourself from further danger by putting
on long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, and work gloves.
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Check others for injuries. Give first aid for serious injuries.Look for
and extinguish small fires. Eliminate fire hazards.
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Check for gas leaks--If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise,
open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside
main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If
you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
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Look for electrical system damage--If you see sparks or broken or frayed
wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the
main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to
the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.
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Check for sewage and water lines damage--If you suspect sewage lines are
damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are
damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap.
You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.
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Listen to the radio for instructions.
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Expect aftershocks. Each time you feel one, DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON! Aftershocks
can occur in the first hours, days, weeks, or even months after the quake.
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Although smaller than the main shock, aftershocks cause additional damage
and maybring weakened structures down.
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Inspect your home for damage. Get everyone out if your home is unsafe.
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Stay out of damaged buildings. Return home only when authorities say it
is safe.
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Use the telephone only to report life-threatening emergencies and briefing
your out-of-state contact.
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Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches or gasoline or other flammable liquids
immediately. Leave the area if you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals.
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Open closet and cupboard doors cautiously.
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Inspect the entire length of chimneys carefully for damage. Unnoticed damage
could lead to a fire.
