How to behave if an earthquake is felt and we are alone, indoors or outdoors
If the earthquake strikes and you are in a closed place, do not rush out, but wait for the shock to end. Immediately reach the opening of a door inserted in a load-bearing wall (the thicker one), or a load-bearing wall, get under a beam or take cover under a bed or a sturdy table. Indeed, in the center of the room, you could be hit by falling objects, pieces of plaster, false ceilings, furniture, etc. Get away from glass and windows, which could break, and from everything that can fall on you. Before leaving, turn off the gas, water and electricity and put on your shoes. On your way out, avoid taking the elevator and be careful of the stairs, which could be damaged. Once outside, maintain a cautious attitude, reach an open space, away from buildings and unsafe structures that could fall on you. Avoid snooping around and reach the waiting areas identified by the municipal emergency plan, avoiding getting close to dangers.
If you are outdoors during the quake, move away from buildings, trees, lampposts, power lines: you could be hit by falling vases, tiles and other materials. Pay attention to the possible consequences of the earthquake: collapse of bridges, landslides, gas leaks, etc. If you are by car, do not stop near bridges, landslides or beaches, they could collapse or be hit by tsunami waves; also, stay away from industrial facilities, accidents are possible.
If an earthquake is felt and we are in the company of adults and children (indoors or outdoors)
If you are in the company of adults, the same indications apply as when you are alone. If there are children, in addition to the same indications as when you are alone both indoors and outdoors, make sure that the children also find shelter and that, in open places, they do not escape the control of adults: the fear of earthquake could make them move away. In general, it is useful to identify the safest points in your home in advance and show them to the children, so that they too know what to do in the event of an earthquake. At the end of the shock, if you are indoors and before going out, it can be useful to wear clothing and shoes that can avoid hurting the child. If you are on the street with children at the time of the shock, follow the same instructions as when you are alone but pay close attention to the child's safety. If at the time of the shock you find yourself with disabled people, you need to pay attention to some precautions, depending on the type of disability. Provide for the preventive installation of alarm signals (acoustic, optical, mechanical, tactile, etc.) that can be understood by the disabled person so that he can also react autonomously, within the limits of his abilities, to the emergency; inquire in advance about the location of the main architectural barriers in your area (stairs, steps, bottlenecks, perceptive barriers, etc.) which could represent an obstacle for a possible evacuation; identify at least one accessible escape route to a place deemed safe. If the disabled person is able to move independently, even if with limitations and aids, if you can accompany them but without carrying them; if the person can get away using a wheelchair, make sure that the path is free from any architectural barriers; if there are obstacles, such as stairs or steps, help her to overcome them. If the person is blind, guide them along the route in the way they deem most suitable and adopt suitable transport techniques.
What to do if after an earthquake we find ourselves facing rubble from which requests for help arrive
After an earthquake, check the state of health of the people around you and, if necessary, give first aid near the person who was struck, taking care not to move them or endanger your life. If you find yourself facing rubble from which requests for help arrive, call for help immediately, then make sure that the place is safe, i.e. that there are no gas leaks and uncovered electric cables or other potentially dangerous materials and wait for the arrival of the rescuers; meanwhile try to reassure the person involved, if conscious. Do not try to move seriously injured people, you could in fact aggravate their conditions and put yourself in danger, if the conditions are safe, stay and keep them company by talking to them until help arrives. Remember not to get in the way of search and rescue operations.
If after a shock we see electric wires on the ground
After an earthquake, leave the house wearing your shoes, you could injure yourself on the street with broken glass and rubble. If you see electric wires on the ground, keep away from that point absolutely avoiding touching or trying to remove the cables present and warn the rescuers or the authorities present on the affected area.
After an earthquake near seas, lakes or river banks, pay attention to the tsunami risk
After an earthquake, if you find yourself in a tsunami risk area, immediately move away from the beach and reach an elevated place: the higher you are, the less likely it is that the wave will reach you and overwhelm you. If you are in a boat, leave immediately and go offshore and towards deep seabeds, the effects of the tsunami occur in the coastal area, offshore the same waves may not be perceptible. Limit the use of the car to avoid obstructing the passage of emergency vehicles. Reach the waiting areas provided for by the civil protection plan. Limit your use of the phone as much as possible.
The Civil Protection also recommends visiting the following sites dedicated to emergencies:
- Civil Protection Department
- I don't risk – National communication campaign on good civil protection practices. In particular, on the site there are a folding and a card that can be printed and hung in places where everyone can read the expert advice on preventing and limiting damage in the event of an earthquake
- Able to protect – Civil protection and disability
