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Avoid Earthquake

Where is the best place to take shelter in an earthquake? What are the first aid procedures to deal with it? The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that in most cases you can protect yourself from an earthquake if you immediately do something called “Drop, Cover, Hold on.”


Avoid Earthquake
Avoid Earthquake

Process includes the following steps:

Get on your hands and knees.

This position protects you from falling and allows you to move if necessary.

Cover your head and neck (and your whole body if possible) under a sturdy table or desk, and if there is no shelter nearby, get down close to a wall or next to low furniture that won’t fall on you, and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.

Stay in place until the shaking stops, If you are indoors, stay put and do not run outside or into other rooms during an earthquake. You will be less likely to get injured if you stay where you are.


Where is best place to take shelter in an earthquake?

The best place to take cover when an earthquake strikes while you’re at home or at work is under a table, or any solid piece of furniture that offers protection, such as a desk or bed.


Apply the rule of “take cover, cover and stand still”.

If possible, and in the few seconds before the shaking intensifies, quickly move away from glass, hanging objects, bookcases, or other large furniture that could fall. Watch for items falling from stoves and fireplaces, light fixtures, items hanging on walls and high shelves, and cabinets with doors that can open.

If you are in the kitchen, quickly turn off the stove.


If you’re in bed, grab it and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow.

You are less likely to get injured while you are in place.

Broken glass on the ground can cause injury if you walk or roll on the ground.

You are safer under the table.

Stay away from windows and outside walls, stay in the building and don’t use elevators.

Do not try to get out of the shower as this may lead to slipping and falling.

And when the shaking stops you can get out of the shower.

Avoid Earthquake
Avoid Earthquake

Best place to take shelter outside

The best place to take shelter in an earthquake while you’re outside is in an open area, as far away from any walls, buildings, power lines, or poles as possible.

Stay away from buildings, utility wires, potholes, and fuel and gas lines.


The greatest danger is falling debris just outside doorways and near exterior walls. Once you’re in the open, stay low and stay there until the shaking stops.

Never run towards a beach, when strong underwater earthquakes occur, they may cause huge waves to cross the shore, destroying everything in their path.

What do you do if earthquake occurred while you in the car?

If you are in a moving vehicle, stop as quickly and safely as possible, and move your vehicle to the side of the road or sidewalk, away from utility poles, overhead wires, and underpasses or overpasses.

The car may rock violently on its springs, but it’s a good place to stay until the shaking stops.


Turn on the radio to get the latest information and news, and to receive instructions and directives that may be issued by the authorities.

Do not drive if a power line has fallen on your vehicle. If you try to escape from the car or drive away you may be electrocuted.


Stay as still as possible until help arrives, and if there are downed power lines nearby, don’t drive over them either.

Instructions to be Followed When an Earthquake Occurs The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Administration (AFAD) informs the citizens about the issues to be paid attention to earthquake first aid

Avoid Earthquake
Avoid Earthquake

First Aid & Protective measures after an earthquake

If you are trapped by falling objects or collapsing, protect your mouth, nose and eyes from dust.

If you are bleeding, apply pressure to the wound and elevate the injured part.

Call for help over the phone, blow the emergency whistle, or bang hard parts of the building 3 times every few minutes.


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Rescue personnel may hear such sounds. Once you are safe, help others and check for damage.

Protect yourself by wearing sturdy shoes and work gloves to avoid injury from broken glass and debris, and also wear a dust mask and eye protection.

If the person is bleeding, apply pressure directly to the wound and use a clean cloth or gauze if available.

Do not move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.

Cover the injured to keep them warm.

Avoid Earthquake