What Should I Do Before, During, And After An Earthquake?What to Do Before an Earthquake Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, and extra batteries at home. Learn first aid. Learn how to turn off the gas, water, and electricity. Make up a plan of where to meet your family after an earthquake. Don't leave heavy objects on shelves (they'll fall during a quake). Anchor heavy furniture, cupboards, and appliances to the walls or floor. Learn the earthquake plan at your school or workplace.What to Do During an Earthquake Stay calm!If you're indoors, stay inside. If you're outside, stay outside. If you're indoors, stand against a wall near the center of the building, stand in a doorway, or crawl under heavy furniture (a desk or table). Stay away from windows and outside doors. If you're outdoors, stay in the open away from power lines or anything that might fall. Stay away from buildings (stuff might fall off the building or the building could fall on you). Don't use matches, candles, or any flame. Broken gas lines and fire don't mix. If you're in a car, stop the car and stay inside the car until the earthquake stops. Don't use elevators (they'll probably get stuck anyway).What to Do After an Earthquake Check yourself and others for injuries. Provide first aid for anyone who needs it. Check water, gas, and electric lines for damage. If any are damaged, shut off the valves. Check for the smell of gas. If you smell it, open all the windows and doors, leave immediately, and report it to the authorities (use someone else's phone). Turn on the radio. Don't use the phone unless it's an emergency. Stay out of damaged buildings. Be careful around broken glass and debris. Wear boots or sturdy shoes to keep from cutting your feet. Be careful of chimneys (they may fall on you). Stay away from beaches. Tsunamis and seiches sometimes hit after the ground has stopped shaking. Stay away from damaged areas. If you're at school or work, follow the emergency plan or the instructions of the person in charge. Expect aftershocks.

Disasters are often caused by natural occurrences such as earthquakes,volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, storms, floods, and typhoons. Although these natural occurrences cannot be prevented, the damagesthat they cause maybe minimized if people take precautionary measures.When a typhoon occurs, it could cause a lot of damages to properties and lives. Strong typhoons may bring strong winds that can blow down houses and other properties. The heavy rain that usually accompanies a typhoon could also be destructive because it may cause flood, flash floods, erosion and over flowing of rivers. All these factors couldcause damagesto properties and lives curing typhoon.In order to lessenthe damagesthat can happen during a typhoon there are precautionary measures that people should take before, during and after a typhoon.Before Check the roofs, windows doors and chimneys for any leaks or weak parts and repair them before rainy season comes. Reinforce posts and walls that are weak. Cut all branches of trees around your house that could be a cause of damage to your house. Check allelectrical wiringif they are safe. Stock up an adequate supply of all consumables such as rice, canned foodsand all kinds of food that could last for a few days. Stock up sufficientsupply of drinking waterand water for other purposes. Be ready for flashlights, batteries and other lighting materials. Prepare a radio and batteries for listening to news. Teach the children on what to do during typhoon. Pack a bag with clothes that you can use in case ofevacuation. Clean all water drainage and canals.During Alwayslisten tothe latest news about the typhoon. Do not leave your house if you are sure that it is safe. If you are outdoors stay away from electric posts and wires. Avoid low-lying areas that are prone to floods. Be ready to evacuate if needed. Do not leave theevacuationcenter unless you are told to do. Leave your house as soon as you feel that you are not safe. Boil drinking water or be ready for bottled drinks. Do not go out if there are no important errands. It is safer to stay at home during typhoon.After Inspect allelectrical wiringandwater pipesfor any damages and get the experts to repair them. Use slippers to protect your feet from any sharp objects that may have fallen. Stay away fromelectrical wiresthat have fallen. Repair any damages in the house. Boil your drinking water to make sure you are drinking safe water. Stay away from flood waters because they can cause water borne diseases. Clear everything that the typhoon has caused.**These precautionary measures could save lives and lessen damages to properties when they are seriously complied with.

Prepared by:THOMAS KENNETH BUSTOS, RN Municipal Link- San Ildefonso