Earthquakes - Dealing with Emergencies

The Philippines is located in an active seismic area. There are a number of active volcanoes and seismic activity is quite common.

Fortunately in Manila, major earthquakes are rare although tremors do occur from time to time.

Wherever you live or stay in the Philippines you should acquaint yourself with the seismic history of your surroundings and take sensible precautions before the event. If hiking or sightseeing in areas with active volcanoes, caution is always advised.

Questions you should ask about your home or office

  1. How old is it? If it is in an apartment building or a cement structure, is it made with reinforced cement (steel beams or cables inside the cement)? Reinforced or steel-framed construction, typical in larger buildings today, possesses the strength and flexibility to withstand earthquake movement.
  2. Do the gas lines shut off automatically in a strong earthquake or must they be shut off by hand. If so, where are they located? Ask your property owner or building supervisor.
  3. Check all fire extinguishers readily and make sure they are accessible and not obstructed.

Preparing for an Earthquake

Generally earthquakes strike without warning so preparations should be part of your normal daily routine.

During an earthquake tall furniture and bookcases may tip over and cause damage or injury or block doorways and exits to your building. Cabinet doors may burst open, emptying dishes and other objects onto the floor. Lamps, TV sets, hanging plants, suspended light fixtures and other household items may fall.

Toxic and flammable materials in the kitchen, workshop or warehouse may spill. Appliances may "walk." So be prepared.

To prepare your home or office for the possibility of an earthquake consider the following:

  1. Secure chests, cabinets, bookcases by bolting/screwing them to the wall. They must be secured into a "stud" slat inside the wall. If not, an extreme earthquake jolt may tear the furniture away from the thin plasterboard that makes up most of the wall. If you cannot find the stud of the wall, then you can make a kind of exterior stud with metal L-brackets and/or lag screws
  2. Cabinets containing breakable objects can be secured with childproof locks or even thick rubber bands. Safety latches will not open in a quake. Keep heavy objects on low shelves
  3. Where the glass covered pictures/art are works hanging? Are any located above beds? Are they near important passageways like the hallway to your children's rooms? If they fell and the glass broke would it be dangerous?
  4. Secure hanging fixtures well.
  5. Store toxic and flammable materials in spill-proof, crush-proof containers on low shelves, preferably in locked cabinets.
  6. Similarly place heavy or breakable objects on low shelves.
  7. Remove any lock wheels or casters from the refrigerator and other heavy appliances or block them so they will not move. Brace your water heater by fastening it to a wall with metal straps.
  8. Make sure your home or work premises is equipped with a fire extinguisher, that it is in good working order and that you know how to use it.

Preparing your Family

VERY IMPORTANT - Have a family or office meeting built into your schedule so that people will know what to do if an emergency really does arise. This should be done at least annually.

  1. Do a pretend emergency drill with your children.
  2. Agree with all members of your family where you will meet, that is where your designated evacuation site is and how you get to it.
  3. Decide which neighbors you will contact.
  4. Have your housekeeper or nanny well informed of all these decisions.

If inside a building when an earthquake occurs

  1. Stay where you are! If you are inside, stay inside unless fire breaks out and you know you can get to a safe location. Stay inside until you are advised otherwise. Most earthquake injuries occur as people enter or leave buildings. The greatest danger is from falling objects just outside exterior doorways and walls;
  2. Open a doorway and secure an exit path. Strong movement can cause doorframes to distort and doors to jam;
  3. Move to a safe location, get under a sturdy table or desk, stand or crouch in a strong doorway in a load-bearing wall, not a partition wall or brace yourself in an inside corner of the room. Take the best available cover and make sure children are protected. If possible, shield your head with a coat, cushion or blanket;
  4. Stay away from windows, mirrors or other glass that might shatter;
  5. Avoid chandeliers and other heavy hanging objects that might fall;
  6. Keep clear of bookcases, cabinets and other pieces of heavy furniture that might topple or spill their contents;
  7. Stay away from stoves, heating units, fireplaces and any area where bricks might fall from the chimney;
  8. Stay away from brick walls (both interior and exterior) and vending machines;
  9. When you feel an earthquake tremor, if possible, turn off all sources of electricity and gas to prevent fire (gas pipes, stoves, heaters, etc.);
  10. If a fire occurs, extinguish it quickly. (Always make sure that your fire extinguisher is in working order and easily accessible. Learn how to use it.) If you are instructed to leave the building, protect your head with a chair or some other sturdy object and watch for falling objects such as windows, glass, walls, ceilings and other loose objects;
  11. If you are in a high-rise building, do not use the elevators at all or the stairs when the earthquake is taking place;
  12. Do not just blindly rush outside, see what's ahead of you, objects may be falling or about to fall. If walking towards the evacuation site be aware of large store signs, big glass windows, and exterior walls falling - look up!
  13. When you evacuate do not be concerned with what you are wearing or your belongings, you and your family's lives are at stake;
  14. Do not use your car.
  15. Do not use your telephone unless a genuine emergency - the phone lines will be busy enough at such times.

    16. If outside when an earthquake occurs

  16. If you are outside, find shelter outdoors, unless you are lucky enough to be in an open space where nothing can fall on you. Be sure to stay clear of power lines and poles, trees or branches, external stairs, building facade ornaments, chimneys or anything that might fall;
  17. Stay well clear of escarpments and areas that are likely to be prone to landslides.
  18. If on the shoreline be aware of the dangers of Tsunami and move to higher ground.
  19. If you are downtown, hazards increase, especially in areas of high-rise buildings. Windows and building facades can shower the streets with deadly litter. Get under a strong doorway or crawl under a parked vehicle, the bigger the better.
  20. driving when an earthquake occurs

    21. If driving when an earthquake occurs

  21. Do not suddenly stop, instead, slow down and pull over to the side of the road.
  22. Try to find an open area where you will not be prone to falling objects or landslides.
  23. If you have to leave your car, close the windows and doors but leave they key in the car. Do not lock the doors.

What you might need after a quake

You can prepare by having the following emergency kit ready and placed in the safest location in your house that is close to the location where you would go for the best cover and best exit.

  1. Emergency medical kit (needs to be replenished/checked every 6 months) Note: Some people experience a slight feeling of nausea or unsteadiness immediately following an earthquake because the balance mechanism in the ear is disturbed.
  2. Swiss army knife
  3. Money in cash - small bills (approx. P50,000) - remember automatic teller machines may not be working.
  4. Xerox copies of all important legal papers, including all passports, ID Card,
  5. Important phone numbers in your home country and abroad
  6. Flashlights and extra batteries, rechargeable lanterns and candles (including matches)- put in various places throughout your home especially in bedside drawers - please observe the usual precautions with storage of these items in homes with children
  7. Portable radio and extra batteries
  8. Hard hats or protective head covering e.g. bike helmets
  9. Water and food - approx. 5 days worth for each family member
    • Spring water is better than mineral water
    • Dried and canned goods
    • Powdered milk
    • Baby formula/bottles/foods
  10. Can opener, eating utensils and plastic dishware/cups
  11. Clothing
    • Rainproof and all weather gear;
    • Shoes (placed under or near beds - this is very important as people often run from buildings and cut their feet on glass and debris);
    • Socks;
    • Diapers for young children;
  12. Portable gas stove;
    • Extra gas canisters;
  13. Personal hygiene items;
    • Sanitary napkins/tampons;
    • Toothbrushes and toothpaste;
    • Soap and washcloth;
  14. Crowbar (for opening jammed doors and passageways);
  15. Fire extinguisher(s) (important to learn how it works);
  16. Cellular telephone - preferably with spare and fully charged batteries;
  17. Backpack;
  18. Blankets;
  19. Whistle.