1. INTRODUCTION

· When entering a fire-damaged structure, look for signs of heat or smoke.
· Have an electrician check your household wiring before the current is turned on.
· Beware of structural damage. Roofs and floors may be weakened and need repair.
· Keep records of all clean-up and repair costs.
· Do not throw away any damaged goods until an official inventory has been taken.
· In case of tenancy, contact the landlord.
· Secure personal belongings or move them to another location.
· Discard food and medicines that have been exposed to heat, smoke or soot.
· Do not try to open a safe or strong box. It can hold intense heat for several hours. If the
door is opened before the box has cooled, the entering air combined with the high internal
temperature can cause the contents to burst into flames.
· If the local administration say the structure is unsafe and must be vacated :
¨ Take jewellery, cash, and financial records and other important documents.
¨ After vacating, notify the new residential address to friends, relatives, police and
fire departments, delivery services, employers, schools and the post office
2 Earthquakes
[In addition to what has been listed under family preparedness as a generic response,
earthquakes demand specific preparedness and responses. Given below are the
preparedness measures and responses which are specific to earthquakes].
The actual movement of the ground in an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death and
injury. Most casualties result from falling objects and debris. Earthquakes also may trigger
landslides and generate huge ocean waves, each of which can cause great damage. There are
many actions which can be taken to reduce the dangers.
2.1 Preparing for an Earthquake
· Prepare a home Earthquake plan
· Choose a safe place in every room - under a sturdy table or desk or against an inside wall
where nothing can fall on you.
· Practice drop, cover, and hold on at least twice a year. Drop under a sturdy desk or table,
hold on, and protect the eyes by pressing the face against the arm. If there is no table or desk
nearby, sit on the floor against an interior wall away from windows or tall furniture that
could fall on you.
· Teach children to drop, cover, and hold on
2.2 During an Earthquake
· Stay calm.
· Inside, stand in a doorway or crouch under a desk or table, away from windows. Watch for
falling objects. If in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting the head with a pillow. Drop,
cover, and hold on
· Outdoors, stand away from buildings, trees, telephone, and electrical lines.
C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\C.Lotus.Notes.DataRevised Grain Bank