earthquake

• An earthquake will occur without prior warning.
• Aftershocks may destroy buildings damaged by the main earthquake.
• A strong earthquake is a chaotic event that will leave many residents homeless, without means of subsistence (food and water), many trapped under rubble (depending on the time of the earthquake), many injured physically and mentally, and access routes blocked for rescue.
• From events around the world, it is known that in the first 24 hours, approximately 95% of those trapped will be rescued by volunteers from the city's residents. The Home Front Command's rescue and rescue forces will arrive only during the initial response phase (about 24 hours) and thereafter, after the reserve force has been mobilized for dedicated professional rescue.
• In light of the above, it is important to know the basic response to the rescue effort and the characteristics of the response and handling of the crisis.

In an earthquake, an open area is the safest !

Preparing the home and family

Most injuries during an earthquake are caused by collapsing shelves and heavy objects, broken glass, fires, and gas leaks. Therefore, the following actions should be taken :

• Secure bookcases, televisions, furniture, and shelves to the walls. 
• Support and anchor: solar and heating boilers, gas cylinders, air conditioners and their compressors. 
• Store toxic and flammable materials in a locked place, away from heat sources.
• Place heavy objects in low places. 
• Train family members in earthquake preparedness. 
• Make sure the children know the location of escape hatches, electrical, gas, and water switches.
• Set a safe meeting place, outside the home, in case of need.

Instructions for those staying in a building during an earthquake
If you are inside a building and feel an earthquake and/or hear the Home Front Command sirens calling out "earthquake", quickly move to a safe place, according to the following order of priority:

1. Go to an open area – if you can get out of the building within a few seconds – go to an open area immediately !
2. If you cannot exit the building within a few seconds:

• Quickly enter the police station and leave the door and window open. 
• If there is no emergency room – move to the stairwell if possible, continue towards the exit and move away from the building (do not use the elevator).
  Only if you can't get out , sit in an inner corner of the room or under a heavy piece of furniture and protect your head with your hands. If you are confined to a wheelchair, lock it and protect your head! Important to know – during an earthquake, do not stay in an underground shelter !

Instructions for those in open areas :

1. Open space – the safest !
2. Stay in the open and stay as far away from buildings/bridges/electricity poles as possible. 
3. Be careful of objects that may fall on you (wall cladding stones, air conditioner compressors, broken glass, torn electrical wires, etc.). 
4. If you are near the beach, you should move away from the beach according to the signs for fear of a tsunami or go up to a building, fourth floor or higher.

Instructions for those in the vehicle :

1. Stop carefully and wait inside the vehicle until the shaking stops – the vehicle is protecting you! 
2. Avoid stopping under or on a bridge, at an interchange, near buildings or under a steep slope or near power poles, for fear of their collapse, and stay away from them by car or on foot.

Correct behavior after an earthquake :

1. Exit the building, take your emergency kit with you, and stay in an open area, away from buildings .
2. Do not enter damaged buildings without permission from a structural engineer (except for rescue and rescue purposes).
3. Be prepared for aftershocks – these tremors appear minutes or days after the earthquake and may collapse structures that were weakened by the first tremor .
4. Listen to the media or the authority's announcements (SMS message or via public address systems in municipal vehicles) to receive information and instructions.
5. Do not use elevators .
6. If there is damage to the structure, do not light a fire or switch on any type of device (including using a cell phone) for fear of an explosion due to a gas leak.
7. The restoration of gas/electricity supply to the building will only be done by a qualified technician.
8. The following health guidelines must be observed::
   • Drinking – Do not drink tap water unless you have received permission to drink running water from a qualified local authority. Only drink water from closed drinking bottles.
   • Food – Do not eat food that has been exposed to contaminated water or food that has been in the refrigerator for a long time without electricity. You can eat food from canned goods whose packaging is not damaged.
   • Health – Do not use contaminated water to wash hands and utensils for food preparation. Maintain personal and environmental hygiene and cleanliness.

Trapped under rubble :

1. If there are people trapped under rubble in your immediate vicinity, use household means to lift heavy objects, such as a car jack or a crowbar, with caution. 
2. Provide first aid if possible, such as arterial blockage, and call emergency and rescue forces.
3. Trapped:
   • Cover your respiratory tract with a dust-protective garment and avoid exhausting yourself by shouting.
   • Tap on pipes or walls or blow a whistle to allow rescuers to locate you.
4. Don't light a fire. 

In an earthquake, an open area is the safest !