Earthquake

Under a strong dining table, bed.
Against an inside wall.
Away from where glass could shatter around windows, mirrors, pictures or
where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could fall over.
In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone and electrical lines, flyovers and bridges.

Educate yourself and your family members about emergency numbers (such as those of doctors, hospitals,
the police, etc) and the use of first aid and emergency kits. Learn the technique of ‘Drop-Cover-Hold’.
In case family members are separated from one another during an earthquake (a real possibility during the
day when adults are at work and children are at school), develop a plan for reuniting after the disaster.
To learn about earthquakes, participate in drills, awareness programs, and community training
organized by government departments and other concerned organizations.

When doing any construction, especially houses, buildings, complexes, and other critical infrastructure, consult a structural engineer, follow BIS codes relevant to your area, and ensure the construction is earthquake-resistant. Know your seismic zone and make necessary structural changes in your house.
Avoid flood plains and filled-up areas for construction as far as possible.
Preserve the design and layout drawings of your house for future reference.
Keep up with the maintenance of your house, buildings, commercial complexes, animal shelters, or any other critical infrastructure and repair them promptly. Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects.
Repair deep plaster cracks on walls and ceilings of the house/building regularly.
While arranging the house furniture, fasten the shelves securely to the walls. Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves. Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in low, closed cabinets with latches. Brace overhead light and fan fixtures.
Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds, settees, and anywhere people sit.
Secure water heaters, LPG cylinders etc., by strapping them to the walls or bolting them to the floor. Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves. Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections regularly. During the earthquake, it may cause potential fire risks.

Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are foreshocks, and a more
significant earthquake might occur. Minimise your movements to a few steps that reach a safe nearby place
and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.
Help people take immediate safety actions, especially children, older people and the differently abled.
Do not tie animals and pets.

DROP to the ground, take cover by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture, and HOLD ON
until the shaking stops. If no table or desk is near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch
in an inside corner of the building.
Protect yourself by staying under the lintel of an inner door, in the corner of a room, under a table or
even under a bed.
Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall (such as lighting
fixtures or furniture).
If you are in bed when the earthquake strikes, stay there. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow
unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
Use a doorway for shelter only if it is near you; if you know, it is a strongly supported, load-bearing
doorway.
Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries
occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location or try to leave.
Be aware that the electricity may go out, or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

Do not move from where you are. However, move away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and utility wires.
If you are in an open space, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly
outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls. Most earthquake-related casualties result from
collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings,
trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
Once the earthquake has stopped, proceed cautiously. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that the earthquake
might have damaged.

Do not light a match.
Do not move about or kick up dust.
Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available.
Shout only as a last resort. This will help you conserve energy, and shouting can cause you to
inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

Do not enter damaged buildings.
Use stairs and not lifts or elevators. Move cautiously, and check for unstable objects and other hazards
above and around you. Check yourself for injuries.
Anticipate aftershocks, especially after a major earthquake.
Stay away from buildings, electric poles, trees or any other hazardous places till the safety of these
structures is technically assessed/audited and approved by concerned government authorities.
Do not spread and/ or believe in rumours or misinformation. Follow instructions and warnings from concerned
government agencies and cooperate with them to conduct search and rescue operations.
Leave a message stating where you are going if you must evacuate your house.
Do not drive around the damaged areas, as rescue and relief operations need roads for mobility.
Do not attempt to cross bridges/flyovers, which may have been damaged.