BASIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EARTHQUAKE

PROTECTION


Have a first-aid kit ready



Secure furniture to the wall
Before the Earthquake:

Fasten down
hazardous objects well
1. Have ready: First-aid kit, torches,
battery-operated radio, batteries etc
and some provisions in a place known
to everyone. Know how to disconnect
electricity, gas and water.
2. Make an emergency action plan and
ensure that the family gathers in a
secure place.
3. Prepare a telephone list so that, if
necessary, you can call the civil
protection, fire, medical emergency or
police services.
4. Do not place heavy objects on top of
high furniture, secure them on the
ground.
5. Fix furniture such as cupboards,
bookshelves, etc., firmly to the walls
and fasten down those objects which
could cause damage if they fell such as
pictures, mirrors, lamps, toxic or
inflammable products, etc.Fix furniture
such as cupboards, bookshelves, etc.,
firmly to the walls and fasten down
those objects which could cause
damage if they fell such as pictures,
mirrors, lamps, toxic or inflammable
products, etc.
6. Check the structure of your
house and, above all, ensure that
chimneys, eaves, rendering, balconies,
etc., are securely fixed to the main
structural components of the house. If
necessary, consult a building expert.

During the earthquake:


Protect yourself by lying
underneath a bed



If the earthquake is not strong, stay calm
it will soon be over.
If the earthquake is strong, stay calm and
transmit your calm to others. Be very careful
to avoid risks and remember the following
instructions:
a. If you are inside a building, stay inside;

Lie underneath a table



Do not use the lift
if you're outside, remain outside.Entering or
leaving buildings can only cause
accidents.
b. Inside a building, look for strong
structures: underneath a table or bed,
underneath a door lintel, next to a
pillar, supporting wall or in a corner
and protect your head.
c. Do not use the lift and never run
headlong towards the exit.
d. Extinguish all fires. Do not use any
type of flame (match, lighter, candle,
etc.) during or immediately after the
tremor.
e. Outside of a building, keep away from
electricity cables, cornices, windows,
parapets, etc.
f. In order to avoid being hit by
dangerous falling objects (glass,
cornices, etc.), do not approach or
enter buildings. Head for open
spaces, do not run and beware of
traffic.
g. If you are travelling in a car when the
earthquake occurs, stop where you can and
remain in it away from bridges and steep
drops.


Keep away from
electricity cables

After the Earthquake:


Do not flee headlong
keep calm and ensure that others do
the same. Prevent any panic situations.
Check whether anyone is hurt; give
them any necessary first aid. The
seriously injured should not be moved
except if you have the knowledge to do
so; in the event that the situation
worsens (fire, landslide, etc.) move the
patient with care.
Check the condition of water, gas and
electricity conduits, both visually and
by smell, never start machinery. In the
event of any anomaly or doubt, turn off
the mains switches, and inform the
technicians or authorities.
Do not use the telephone. Only do
so in the event of an extreme
emergency. Turn the radio on to
receive information or instructions from
the authorities.
Be careful opening cupboards
some objects may have been left in an

Do not go on to the
balcony
unstable position.
Use boots or shoes with thick soles to
protect yourself from objects which are
sharp or may cut.
Do not repair damage immediately,
except if there is broken glass or
bottles containing toxic or inflammable
substances.
Put out any fires. If you cannot control
them, contact the fire brigadestraight
away.
After a very violent tremor leave the
building where you are in an orderly
and gradual fashion, especially if the
building is damaged.
Keep away from damaged
buildings. Move to open areas.
After a strong earthquake, other
smaller aftershocks follow which may
cause additional destruction, especially
to damaged buildings. Stay away
from such buildings.
If there are urgent reasons to enter
damaged buildings, do so quickly and
do not remain inside. Do not enter
buildings with serious damage until it is
authorized to do so.
Take care when using mains water
since it may be contaminated. Drink
bottled and boiled water.
If the epicentre of a large earthquake is
at sea, it may cause a tidal wave. This
may be of considerable size in the Gulf
of Cadiz. Stay away from the beach.

WORK WITH THE CIVIL
PROTECTION SERVICE:

Follow
the rules and recommendations for
Seismic Emergencies and the
instructions of the Civil Protection
service.
Turn the radio on and follow the
instructions given by the authorities.
Do notlet yourself be influenced by or
spread rumours.
Report seriously damaged buildings to
the authorities, especially those which
threaten to collapse in thoroughfares.
Report the existence of hazardous
material (radioactive, toxic products,
etc.) or any event (fire, explosions,
etc) which threatens to increase or
provoke damage.
Work with and under the orders of the
Civil Protection service. Coordination
is essential. Help provide assistance
to the injured, ill, children and old
people.We all play a role in civil
protection.
Pay attention to the instructions of the
authorities. If requested, do not enter
affected areas. Being curious is
dangerous and makes assistance work
more difficult.
Do not use your car as there is a risk
of accidents and hinders external aid.
Only use the telephone in extreme
cases. Use your resources sparingly
(water, food, etc.). Work together
with your neighbours.
REMEMBER THAT THE BEST WAY
TO PROTECT YOURSELF IN THE
EVENT OF A POWERFUL
EARTHQUAKE, IS TO BE WELL
INFORMED AND PREPARED
USEFUL DEFINITIONS:
Earthquake: Sudden and abrupt
liberation of energy accumulated by a
slow deformation in the Earths surface
which spreads through seismic waves.
Seismic source: Volume of rock which
fractures during an earthquake.
Seismic tremor: Accumulation of
motions vibrating the earth.
Hypocentre: The point where the
earthquake begins.
Epicentre: Point on the surface
situated vertically above the focus or
hypocentre.
Aftershocks: Smaller earthquakes
which follow an earthquake.
Precursors: Smaller earthquakes
which precede a main earthquake.
Magnitude: Measurement developed
by Richter which indicates the size of
and energy liberated by an earthquake
in the form of seismic waves. The
magnitude scale has no limits, although
no earthquakes have been observed
with a local magnitude higher than 9.
Intensity: Parameter which indicates
the impact of tremors in an area
affected by earthquake tremors. It is
measured using the reactions of
people, the degree of damage caused
to buildings and the disturbance caused
to land (fissures, landslides, etc.). The
official scale used in Spain is the E.M.S.
92 which is divided into 12 levels.
Damage starts to be significant from
level VII.