Italy is a territory with a high seismic risk. Knowing it means not only knowing what to do when an earthquake hits the area in which we live, but also taking certain precautions to try to limit the damage as much as possible and above all keep ourselves safe. For this purpose, the Civil Protection has drawn up a vademecum which explains, in a simple and brief way, what you need to know and above all what you need to do in the event of an earthquake.
WHAT TO KNOW
Italy is a seismic country
All Italian municipalities can be damaged by earthquakes, but the strongest earthquakes are concentrated in a few specific areas: in North-Eastern Italy (Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto), in Western Liguria, in the Northern Apennines (from Garfagnana to Rimini ), and above all along the Central and Southern Apennines, in Calabria and Eastern Sicily. You too live in a dangerous area where earthquakes have already occurred in the past or their effects have been felt. And that could happen again in the future.
What happens to a building?
A seismic shock causes oscillations, more or less strong, which shake buildings in various ways. The most harmful swings are the horizontal ones. Older buildings and those not designed to withstand earthquakes may not tolerate such oscillations, and therefore pose a danger to people. It is the collapse of houses that kills, not the earthquake. Today, all new buildings must be built in compliance with seismic regulations.
The security of your home
It is important to know when and how your house was built, on what type of land, with what materials. And above all if it has been subsequently modified in compliance with seismic standards. If you have any doubts or if you want to know more, you can contact the technical office of your Municipality or a trusted technician.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE
With the advice of a technician
Sometimes it is enough to reinforce the load-bearing walls or improve the connections between walls and attics: to make the right choice, get advice from a trusted technician.
Alone, right away
– Move heavy furniture away from beds or sofas.
– Attach shelves, bookcases and other tall furniture to the walls; hang pictures and mirrors with closed hooks, which prevent them from detaching from the wall.
– Put heavy objects on the low shelves of the shelving; on high ones, you can fix items with double-sided tape.
– In the kitchen, use a stopper to open the doors of the furniture where plates and glasses are stored, so that they do not open during the shock.
– Learn where the gas and water taps and the general light switch are and how to close them.
– Identify the safe points of the house, where you can take shelter in the event of an earthquake: the doorways, the corners of the walls, under the table or bed.
– Keep a first aid kit, a flashlight, a battery-operated radio at home, and make sure everyone knows where they are.
– Find out if the Civil Protection Plan of your Municipality exists and what it provides: if it doesn't exist, expect it to be prepared, so as to know how to behave in the event of an emergency.
– Eliminate all situations which, in the event of an earthquake, could represent a danger for you or your family members.
WHAT TO DO IF THE EARTHQUAKE HAPPENS
during an earthquake
– If you are indoors, get under a beam, in a doorway or near a load-bearing wall.
– Be careful of things that could hit you when falling (plaster, false ceilings, glass, furniture, objects, etc.).
– Be careful when using ladders: they are often not very resistant and can be damaged.
– Better to avoid the elevator: it can get stuck.
– Pay attention to other possible consequences of the earthquake: collapse of bridges, landslides, gas leaks, etc.
– If you are outdoors, move away from buildings, trees, lampposts, power lines: you could be hit by falling vases, tiles and other materials.
After an earthquake
Make sure of the health of the people around you and, if necessary, give first aid. Go out with caution, wearing shoes: you could be injured by broken glass on the street. If you are in a tsunami-prone area, move away from the beach and go to an elevated place. Reach the waiting areas provided for by the Civil Protection Plan of your Municipality. Limit your use of the phone as much as possible. Limit the use of the car to avoid obstructing the passage of emergency vehicles.
