You don't know where you'll be when an earthquake
strikes and if you live in an earthquake prone
region of the world, chances are high that you
might just be in your car at the time it occurs.
In this article, you'll learn what to do should
you experience an earthquake while you're in your
car.
!! Steps !!
* Recognize that you are in an earthquake [1] situation. You will
feel the earth jolting and shaking, and begin to see things
falling, cracks opening, etc.
Move to the side of the road. Do this as quickly as possible but
keep your mind totally focused on safety. It is likely you won't be
the only person on the road, so keep an eye out for traffic and be
aware that some drivers may panic.
* As best you can, avoid pulling up under bridges, overpasses,
signs, building overhangs, power lines, trees, or any other
hazards that might fall onto your car. Avoid parking next to
buildings. The car offers very little protection should heavy
objects fall on it.
* Turn off the engine and put your handbrake on.
* Turn on the radio [2] and listen for updates, warnings, and
advice.
* Stay in your vehicle until the shaking stops.
Get out of your vehicle once the shaking has stopped. See
"Warnings" below for what to do if a power line has fallen on your
car. If you have emergency supplies inside your car, find them. The
ideal items to keep in a car are listed under "Things You'll Need"
below. Assess the damage to your car and in the immediate vicinity
to see whether it is safe to proceed.
* Check to see that the passengers are all right. Expect some shock
or panic and do your best to reassure such persons.
* Attend to any injuries using first aid.
Proceed home or to a safety shelter if possible and drive very
cautiously. Provided it is safe, rendezvous wherever it is safest
and most convenient to do so. Remember that it may be safer to stay
where you are, especially if there is chaos on the roads. Use your
phone to call people and let them know you're alright and to put
yourself in the queue for assistance. And keep listening to the
radio for warnings and updates as you drive.
* Do not ever drive through flood waters [3].
* Do not drive over large cracks in the road. You risk becoming
stuck.
* Do not drive under bridges that have cracks and other visible
structural damage. Even without visible damage, be wary of all
overhanging objects, bridges, signs, walls, and overpasses.
* Be wary of the potential for landslides [4] onto the road.
* If you're driving along a coastal road in an area known as a
potential tsunami [5] zone, drive to higher ground as quickly as
possible.
* If your car is damaged and cannot be driven, stay with it. Call
the emergency authorities to let them know what has happened and
be patient. Use your emergency supplies and keep everyone else in
the car calm.
* Expect aftershocks [6]. The main quake will be followed by
aftershocks which can easily dislodge damaged buildings and other
structures that haven't already fallen apart.
!! Video !!
!! Tips !!
* Having basic first aid knowledge is important when living in
earthquake regions.
* If you have internet access on your mobile phone, check traffic
cameras to see how roads are in your area. Remember that the
internet might not work though, and that traffic cameras may have
lost power.
* Rely on the radio.
* Be aware that your car alarm may go off as a result of the
shaking.
!! Warnings !!
* If a power line falls on your car, stay inside. A trained
professional will need to remove the pole to minimize the chance
that you might be electrocuted. Equally, do not attempt to touch
or get into a vehicle that has fallen power lines on it.
* When power lines go down, mobile phone/cell phone transmitters
have only several hours of power to run the transmitters on, power
that is drained quickly when everyone gets on the phones to check
loved ones. Keep calls short to check whereabouts of family and
friends and to make rendezvous arrangements.
!! Things You\'ll Need !!
For people living in earthquake prone zones, the following car
supplies are recommended as a permanent on-board kit:
* Flashlight (torch) with working batteries
* Water bottles with water
* Snack or energy food / bars
* Good walking shoes (if you usually have work shoes on)
* Emergency blanket
* First aid kit
* Download the list in PDF form [7].
!! Related WikiHows !!
* How to React During an Earthquake [8]
* How to Prepare for an Earthquake [9]
* How to Deal With Being Indoors During an Earthquake [10]
* How to Protect Your Home During an Earthquake [11]
* How to Help Your Community Prepare for an Earthquake [12]
!! Sources And Citations !!
* Jo Elwin, Catherine Smith, Prue Dashfied, editors, _Our Shaky
Isles_, (2010) – research source
* FEMA, Are you ready?,
http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/earthquakes.shtm [13] – research
source
!! Article Tools !!
* Read on wikiHow
*
Links:
------
[1] http://www.wikihow.com/React-During-an-Earthquake
[2] http://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Shortwave-Radio
[3] http://www.wikihow.com/Cope-Following-a-Flood
[4] http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Safe-During-a-Landslide
[5] http://www.wikihow.com/Understand-Tsunami-Notification-Terms
[6] http://www.wikihow.com/Act-After-an-Earthquake
[7] http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Emergency_Car_Supplies_List_%28Earthquake%29_73.pdf
[8] http://www.wikihow.com/React-During-an-Earthquake
[9] http://www.wikihow.com/Prepare-for-an-Earthquake
[10] http://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Being-Indoors-During-an-Earthquake
[11] http://www.wikihow.com/Protect-Your-Home-During-an-Earthquake
[12] http://www.wikihow.com/Help-Your-Community-Prepare-for-an-Earthquake
[13] http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/earthquakes.shtm
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