Ways to Mitigate
against the impact of Earthquakes can be categorised into 4 main areas:
Earthquakes cannot be stopped, so mitigation is the next best option.
2. Education- the entire community in areas where earthquakes are likely need to know:
3. Planning- planning for an earthquake could be the difference between life and death.
4. Emergency procedures- in the case of an earthquake, everyone should know:
Make an emergency kit and leave it in a safe place. It should have all necessary items for your protection and comfort that can last for at least three days. It can include medical items (extra supplies of prescription medicines), clothing, copies of identity papers and bank details, cash and relatives’ contact numbers.
Earthquakes cannot be stopped, so mitigation is the next best option.
- Building Regulations
- Style-
the style of the homes and offices in earthquake prone areas should be low and
wide not tall and top heavy, as they are more likely to withstand an earth
movement.
- Materials-
Stronger materials such as steel and
concrete are proven to be more sturdy than products like wood and glass.
- Community Facilities- places such as halls, churches
and hospitals are especially important in earthquake prone areas for people to
gather during or after an earthquake. It is particularity important they are
constructed with earthquake mitigation in mind.
- Retrofitting-
In earthquake prone areas, older building should e updated to meet with the
current safety codes.
2. Education- the entire community in areas where earthquakes are likely need to know:
- What
to do near earthquake – get under tables or doorframes or go to clear location
outside (if time allows it)
- Knowing
where to gather (town hall etc. )
- If
in an office building, are there any safe meeting points?
3. Planning- planning for an earthquake could be the difference between life and death.
- Community leaders
and individuals have a responsibility to know about their houses and workplaces.
- Know where to
find out about earthquake warnings
- Have regular
checks done on your home’s ability to withstand and earthquake/ does it still
meet the building code?
- Families and work
teams should have strict procedures including a set place to meet. As well,
they should practice ‘Drop, Cover and Hold’ regularily.
- More
lives lost when people panic and don’t know where to go
4. Emergency procedures- in the case of an earthquake, everyone should know:
Make an emergency kit and leave it in a safe place. It should have all necessary items for your protection and comfort that can last for at least three days. It can include medical items (extra supplies of prescription medicines), clothing, copies of identity papers and bank details, cash and relatives’ contact numbers.