Lightning - Do's & Dont's

Earthquakes - Do's & Dont's

An earthquake does not cause death or injury by itself. People are hurt by falling plaster and collapsing walls or falling of heavy objects. Collapsing buildings and vibrations can cause short circuits and electric fires. Lighted gas or stoves may also cause fires. All this leads to panic and confusion. With some precautions it is possible to avoid such confusion.

Emergency Services

Damage to emergency services, such as to hospitals, fire stations and disruption of electricity and water supply causes spread of fire and diseases. This adds to the chaotic situation created by an earthquake.

Special Structures

It is very important that special structures are protected from the effects of earthquakes. Nuclear power plants, dams, bridges and industrial complexes, which deal with hazardous chemicals, can also be designed to withstand damage from future earthquakes. These special structures are designed and constructed after study of all aspects of earthquake problem at the site.

Earthquake Effects

Violent shaking during an earthquake can cause large fissures and can also rupture the ground. Shaking is amplified in soft sediments, which may cause liquefaction of soil. Sometimes fountains of sand and water are also witnessed. Landslides may sometimes artificially dam rivers to form lakes. When such dams fail, flash floods cause further havoc downstream. An earthquake shakes houses as well as other structures. If these structures are well designed and well constructed then even violent earthquakes will not be able to destroy them. Technology has been developed for constructing houses, which will resist the onslaught of earthquakes.

If you are caught indoors at the time of an earthquake:

• Keep calm.
• Stay away from glass windows, doors, almirahs, mirrors etc.
• Stay away from falling plaster, bricks or stones.
• Get under a table or a sturdy cot so that you are not hurt by falling objects.
• Do not rush towards the doors or staircase. They may be broken or jammed.

If you are outdoors at the time of earthquake:

• If open space is available nearby, go there.
• Keep away from tall chimneys, buildings, balconies and other projections.
• Do not run through streets; hoardings or lamps may fall on you.

After an earthquake:

• Check if you or anyone else is hurt. Use first aid atleast on the cuts and bruises.
• Keep the streets clear for emergency services.
• Switch off all appliances like the refrigerator, TV or radio. Turn off the gas.
• Wear shoes to protect your feet from debris.
• A battery operated radio will help you to get important messages.
• Be prepared for more shocks. These aftershocks always follow an earthquake.

Landslides - Do's & Dont's

Develop a Family Disaster Plan

Develop an evacuation plan. You should know where to go if you have to leave. Trying to make plans at the last minute can be upsetting and create confusion.

Discuss landslides and debris flow with your family. Everyone should know what to do in case all family members are not together. Discussing disaster ahead of time helps reduce fear and lets everyone know how to respond during a landslide or debris flow.

During a Landslide

• Stay alert and awake. Many debris-flow fatalities occur when people are sleeping. Listen to early warning of intense rainfall. Be aware that intense, short bursts of rain may be particularly dangerous, especially after longer periods of heavy rainfall and damp weather.
• If you are in areas susceptible to landslides and debris flows, consider leaving if it is safe to do so. Remember that driving during an intense storm can be hazardous. If you remain at home, move to a second story if possible. Staying out of the path of a landslide or debris flow saves lives.
• Listen for any unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. A trickle of flowing or falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides. Moving debris can flow quickly and sometimes without warning.
• If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow and for a change from clear to muddy water. Such changes may indicate landslide activity upstream, so be prepared to move quickly. Don't delay! Save yourself, not your belongings.
• Especially alert when driving. Embankments along roadsides are particularly susceptible to landslides. Watch the road for collapsed pavement, mud, fallen rocks, and other indications of possible debris flows.

After the Landslide

• Stay away from the slide area. There may be danger of additional slides
• Check for injured and trapped persons near the slide, without entering the direct slide area. Direct rescuers to their locations.
• Help a neighbour who may require special assistance - infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities. Elderly people and people with disabilities may require additional assistance. People who care for them or who have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations.
• Listen to local radio or television stations for the latest emergency information
• Watch for flooding, which may occur after a landslide or debris flow. Floods sometimes follow landslides and debris flows because they may both be started by the same event.
• Look for and report broken utility lines to appropriate authorities. Reporting potential hazards will get the utilities turned off as quickly as possible, preventing further hazard and injury.
• Check the building foundation, chimney, and surrounding land for damage. Damage to foundations, chimneys, or surrounding land may help you assess the safety of the area.
• Replant damaged ground as soon as possible since erosion caused by loss of ground cover can lead to flash flooding.
• Seek the advice of a geotechnical expert for evaluating landslide hazards or designing corrective techniques to reduce landslide risk. A professional will be able to advise you of the best ways to prevent or reduce landslide risk, without creating further hazard.

Cyclones - Do's & Dont's

Since pre-monsoon cyclone season of 1999, IMD has introduced a 4-Stage warning system to issue cyclone warnings. They are as follows:

• Pre-Cyclone Watch:Issued when a depression forms over the Bay of Bengal irrespective of its distance from the coast and is likely to affect Indian coast in future. The pre-cyclone watch is issued by the name of Director General of Meteorology and is issued at least 72 hours in advance of the commencement of adverse weather. It is issued at least once a day.
• Cyclone Alert:Issued at least 48 hours before the commencement of the bad weather when the cyclone is located beyond 500 Km from the coast.
• Cyclone Warning:Issued at least 24 hours before the commencement of the bad weather when the cyclone is located within 500 Km from the coast. Information about time /place of landfall are indicated in the bulletin. Confidence in estimation increases as the cyclone comes closer to the coast.
• Post landfall outlook:It is issued 12 hours before the cyclone landfall, when the cyclone is located within 200 Km from the coast. More accurate & specific information about time /place of landfall and associated bad weather indicated in the bulletin. In addition, the interior distraction is likely to be affected due to the cyclone are warned in this bulletin.

Staying safe

• Keep your radio on and listen to latest weather warning and advisories from the nearest All India Radio Station. Pass the information to others.
• Avoid being misled by rumors, pass on only the official information you have got from the Radio to others.
• Provide strong suitable support for outside doors. Board up glass windows or put storm shutters in place. Use good wooden planks securely fastened. If you do not have wooden boards handy paste paper strips on glasses to prevent
• Do not go out and stay in safe place.
• Get away from low lying beaches or other location which may be swept by high tides or storm waves.
• Avoid going into the sea during cyclone.
• Be alert for high water in areas where streams of rivers may flood due to heavy rains.
• Get extra food, especially things which can be eaten without cooking or with very little preparation. Make provisions for children and adults requiring special diet.
• Store extra drinking water in suitable covered vessels.
• If you are, in one of the evacuation area, move your valuable articles to upper floors to minimize flood damage.
• When the authorities advice evacuation follow the instruction promptly and head for proper shelter or evacuation points indicated for your area. Remain in shelter until informed that you may leave.
• Be calm. Your ability to meet emergency will inspire and help others.
• Keep calm at all times. If instructions are observed promptly, there is little personal danger involved

Floods - Do's & Dont's

India, being a peninsular country and surrounded by the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal, is quite prone to flood. As per the Geological Survey of India (GSI), the major flood prone areas of India cover almost 12.5% area of the country. Every year, flood, the most common disaster in India causes immense loss to the country's property and lives.

Till March 2007, an area of 18.22 m ha has been provided with protection against floods by way of construction of embankments, drainage channels, town protection works and providing raised platforms. The Union Government is also providing Central assistance to the flood prone States to take up some of the critical works.

A network of Flood Forecasting and Warning System has been established by the Central Water Commission in State river basins and flood forecasts are being issued through 175 stations.

Staying Safe

• Move to the safer place or highlands with dry food/baby food/ and potable water on receipt of warning.
• Valuable household articles/documents etc. to be tied to a high roof or concealed with polythene in deep under ground for safety. Insure any household articles.
• Move the cattle to a safe place/high land with ample fodder and drinking water.
• Listen to radio for detail and latest news warning on flood.
• Turn off all the electrical systems and equipments.
• Disinfect the drinking water before use and keep the food covered always.
• Beware of snakes
• Don't venture out from the shelter/safe place. Don't mess up the living place.
• Keep surrounding clean and hygienic.
• Don't take stale food. Take dry food as far as possible.
• Don't create and believe in rumours.

Drought - Do's & Dont's

A drought is a disaster that few people can manage on thier own. Citizens will need significant help from the government to get over th eproblems caused by drought, particularly the lack of food and sufficient drinking water. It is imperative for the government officials to respond quickly and with well thought out strategies, which can include the following:

• Undertake contingency crop planning
• Provide support to farmers
• Provide relief employment to those who have no prospect of getting work due to the ongoing drought.
• Strictly enforce Water Resource Management rules and regulations.
• Provide food and water to the most needy.
• Provide gratuitous assistance and/or relief through Tax Waivers and Concessions.
• Pay additional attention to health and hygiene.
• Finance relief expenditure.
• Ensure smooth and clear flow of information to the media.

Staying Safe

• Implementing Drought Mitigation Measures
• Water Harvesting and Conservation
• Water Saving Technologies: Drip and Sprinkler Irrigation Systems
• Long-term Irrigation Management

Fire Disasters - Do's & Dont's

The following are things you can do to protect yourself, your family, and your property in the event of a fire:

Smoke Alarms

• Install smoke alarms. Properly working smoke alarms decrease your chances of dying in a fire by half.
• Place smoke alarms on every level of your residence. Place them outside bedrooms on the ceiling or high on the wall (4 to 12 inches from ceiling), at the top of open stairways, or at the bottom of enclosed stairs and near (but not in) the kitchen.
• Test and clean smoke alarms once a month and replace batteries at least once a year.
• Replace smoke alarms once every 10 years.

Escaping the Fire

• Review escapes routes with your family. Practice escaping from each room.
• Make sure windows are not nailed or painted shut. Make sure security gratings on windows have a fire safety-opening feature so they can be easily opened from the inside.
• Consider escape ladders if your residence has more than one level, and ensure that burglar bars and other antitheft mechanisms that block outside window entry are easily opened from the inside.
• Teach family members to stay low to the floor (where the air is safer in a fire) when escaping from a fire.
• Clean out storage areas. Do not let trash, such as old newspapers and magazines, accumulate.

Flammable Items

• Never use gasoline, benzene, naphtha, or similar flammable liquids indoors.
• Store flammable liquids in approved containers in well-ventilated storage areas.
• Never smoke near flammable liquids.Never smoke near flammable liquids.
• Discard all rags or materials that have been soaked in flammable liquids after you have used them. Safely discard them outdoors in a metal container.
• Insulate chimneys and place spark arresters on top. The chimney should be at least three feet higher than the roof.
• Remove branches hanging above and around the chimney.

Heating Sources

• Be careful when using alternative heating sources.
• Be sure to fill kerosene heaters outside, and be sure they have cooled.
• Place heaters at least three feet away from flammable materials. Make sure the floor and nearby walls are properly insulated.
• Use only the type of fuel designated for your unit and follow manufacturer's instructions.
• Store ashes in a metal container outside and away from your residence.
• Keep open flames away from walls, furniture, drapery, and flammable items.
• Keep a screen in front of the fireplace.
• Have heating units inspected and cleaned annually by a certified specialist.
• Keep matches and lighters up high, away from children, and, if possible, in a locked cabinet.
• Never smoke in bed or when drowsy or medicated. Provide smokers with deep, sturdy ashtrays. Douse cigarette and cigar butts with water before disposal.

Electrical Wiring

• Have the electrical wiring in your residence checked by an electrician.
• Inspect extension cords for frayed or exposed wires or loose plugs.
• Make sure outlets have cover plates and no exposed wiring.
• Make sure wiring does not run under rugs, over nails, or across high-traffic areas.
• Do not overload extension cords or outlets. If you need to plug in two or three appliances, get an approved unit with built-in circuit breakers to prevent sparks and short circuits.
• Make sure insulation does not touch bare electrical wiring.

Other

• Sleep with your door closed.
• Install fire extinguishers in your residence and teach family members how to use them.
• Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your residence.
• Ask your local fire department to inspect your residence for fire safety and prevention.

What to do During a Fire

If your clothes catch on fire, you should stop, drop, and roll until the fire is extinguished. Running only makes the fire burn faster.
To escape a fire, you should check closed doors for heat before you open them. If you are escaping through a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel the top of the door, the doorknob, and the crack between the door and door frame before you open it. Never use the palm of your hand or fingers to test for heat - burning those areas could impair your ability to escape a fire (i.e., ladders and crawling). Open slowly and ensure fire and/or smoke is not blocking your escape route. If your escape route is blocked, shut the door immediately and use an alternate escape route, such as a window. If clear, leave immediately through the door and close it behind you. Be prepared to crawl. Smoke and heat rise. The air is clearer and cooler near the floor. Crawl low under any smoke to your exit - heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling. Close doors behind you as you escape to delay the spread of the fire.Stay out once you are safely out. Do not reenter.

What to do After a Fire

The following are guidelines for different circumstances in the period following a fire:

• If you are with burn victims, or are a burn victim yourself, cool and cover burns to reduce chance of further injury or infection.
• If you detect heat or smoke when entering a damaged building, evacuate immediately.
• If you are a tenant, contact the landlord.
• If you have a safe or strong box, do not try to open it. It can hold intense heat for several hours. If the door is opened before the box has cooled, the contents could burst into flames.
• If you must leave your home because a building inspector says the building is unsafe, ask someone you trust to watch the property during your absence.

Chemical & Industrial Disasters - Do's & Dont's

The Bhopal disaster was one of the world's worst industrial catastrophes. It occurred on the night of December 2–3, 1984 at the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant when a leak of methyl isocyanate gas and other chemicals from the plant resulted in the exposure of hundreds of thousands of people. Estimates vary on the death toll but a government affidavit in 2006 stated the leak caused 558,125 injuries including 38,478 temporary partial and approximately 3,900 severely and permanently disabling injuries.

Staying Safe

• Evacuate the area immediately and dial disaster management control room for help.
• If indoors, exit the building rapidly as possible.
• Once out side, if you believe that you may have been exposed to toxic substance, discard you inhibition to remove you clothes, remove your clothes immediately, which may save your life.
• Taking out your clothes can remove 80 percent of the contamination hazards.
• Look for a near by water tap or fountain, pool or other source of water so that you can quickly and thoroughly rinse any skin part that may have been exposed.
• Fire brigades on arrival in area may spray water on every one affected and decontaminate.
• Remain calm.
• Medical attention shall be needed and first aid to be given to seriously affected people.
• Evacuate most seriously exposed individuals.

If you happen to be in open and outdoors, you may observe birds and small animals falling to the ground due to poisonous gas. You must immediately move indoors and create a physical barrier between you and toxic cloud. A building protection is preferred, however, getting in side your car will also help you.

• Shut all doors and windows of the house and put off fans and air conditioners.
• Try to plug flow of air or wind to you rooms.
• Stay indoors.
• Listens Radio, TV News and Announcements.
• Authority will notify you when it is safe to come out.
• Have a bath immediately on entry to the house and keep your cloth in a plastic bag, it will help remove any contamination that might have occurred before you were able to get indoors. It may be done in period of less than a minute or one minute.
• You may like to keep gas mask handy

Terrorism - Do's & Dont's

An earthquake does not cause death or injury by itself. People are hurt by falling plaster and collapsing walls or falling of heavy objects. Collapsing buildings and vibrations can cause short circuits and electric fires. Lighted gas or stoves may also cause fires. All this leads to panic and confusion. With some precautions it is possible to avoid such confusion.

BOMB THREAT

• If you receive a telephoned bomb threat, you should try to keep the caller on the line and get as much information from the caller as possible.
• Record the entire call if possible, and try to ask the following questions: When is the bomb going to explode? Where is it right now? What does it look like? What kind of bomb is it? What will cause it to explode? Did you place the bomb, and why? What is your name?
• Notify the police and building management immediately.
• Wear shoes to protect your feet from debris.
• If ordered to evacuate a building that received a bomb threat, avoid standing in front of windows or other objects that could be turned into projectiles should the bomb explode.

SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE

• Be weary of suspicious or unexpected packages and letters at your place of employment.
• DO NOT OPEN suspicious envelopes or packages. Never sniff or smell suspect mail. Instead, place the envelope or package in a plastic bag or sealed of container to prevent leakage of their contents. If you do not have a sealed container, then cover the envelope or package with anything available (e.g., clothing, trash can, etc.). Leave the room and close the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering.
• Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent any contaminants on the suspect mail from spreading to your face.
• List all people who were in the room or area when the suspicious envelope or package was recognized. Give a copy of this list to both the local public health authorities and law enforcement officials for follow-up investigations and advice.
• If you are at work, report the incident to your building security official or an available supervisor, who should notify police and other authorities without delay. If you are at home, report the incident to local police.
• In general, refrain from eating or drinking in a designated mail handling area, especially if a suspicious package is found there.

EXPLOSION

It is best to rely on police, fire, and other officials for instructions. However, as with any emergency, local authorities may not be able to immediately provide information on what is happening and what you should do. You should listen to the radio or TV for official news and information as it becomes available.

Take shelter against your desk or a sturdy table if you are inside. If you are outside and there is an explosion, cover your nose and mouth, watch for debris and quickly go inside a building away from the explosion that has not been damaged.

If the explosion was in your building, exit the building ASAP. Do not use elevators, and be sure to check for fire and other hazards.

If you are trapped in debris, use a cell phone, flashlight or try whistling to signal your location to rescuers. Avoid unnecessary movement so that you don't kick up dust. Cover your mouth and nose with layers of fabric that can filter the air but still allow to breathe. (For example, two to three layers of cotton such as a t-shirt, handkerchief or towel. Otherwise, several layers of tissue or paper towels may help.) Tap on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can hear where you are. Shout only as a last resort, as shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of potentially toxic dust.If you are trapped in debris, use a cell phone, flashlight or try whistling to signal your location to rescuers. Avoid unnecessary movement so that you don't kick up dust. Cover your mouth and nose with layers of fabric that can filter the air but still allow to breathe. (For example, two to three layers of cotton such as a t-shirt, handkerchief or towel. Otherwise, several layers of tissue or paper towels may help.) Tap on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can hear where you are. Shout only as a last resort, as shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of potentially toxic dust.

Stay off your phone and cell phone unless it is absolutely necessary! Duirng a terrorist event, the thousands of non-emergency calls to friends and family have jammed phone systems, preventing emergency calls from getting though. In addition, emergency officials may be trying to call you about a danger in your area (using reverse-911, for example) and their important call to you will be blocked if your phone is in use.

CHEMICAL OR BIOLOGICAL ATTACK

• It is best to rely on police, fire, and other officials for instructions. However, as with any emergency, local authorities may not be able to immediately provide information on what is happening and what you should do. You should listen to the radio or TV for official news and information, such as the area considered to be in danger, the signs and symptoms of the chemical or disease, and where you should seek emergency medical care if you were exposed.
• Unlike an explosion, a chemical or biological attack may not be immediately obvious. However, there are some warning signs that you should look out for. Many people having difficulty breathing, suffering from watery eyes, twitching, choking, losing coordination, becoming nauseated, or having a burning sensation in the nose, throat, and lungs may indicate a chemical or biological attack. Many sick or dead birds, fish or small animals in an area is also a cause for suspicion.
• If you see signs of a chemical or biological attack, or if you are in the immediate vicinity of an attack, you should immediately get away from the area. Cover your mouth and nose with layers of fabric that can filter the air but still allow to breathe. (For example, two to three layers of cotton such as a t-shirt, handkerchief or towel. Otherwise, several layers of tissue or paper towels may help.) Contact authorities once you are outside of the affected area.
• If you are in the area of a declared biological emergency, follow the instructions of doctors and other public health officials. Keep sick people separated from others if possible. Use common sense, good hygiene, and cleanliness to avoid spreading germs.
• Stay off your phone and cell phone unless it is absolutely necessary! Duirng a terrorist event, the thousands of non-emergency calls to friends and family have jammed phone systems, preventing emergency calls from getting though. In addition, emergency officials may be trying to call you about a danger in your area (using reverse-911, for example) and their important call to you will be blocked if your phone is in use.

NUCLEAR OR RADIOLOGICAL ATTACK

• While the blast will be immediately obvious, nuclear radiation cannot be seen, smelled, or otherwise detected by normal senses. Radiation can only be detected by radiation monitoring devices.
• As with any radiation, you want to try to limit exposure.
• It is best to rely on police, fire, and other officials for instructions. However, as with any emergency, local authorities may not be able to immediately provide information on what is happening and what you should do. You should listen to the radio or TV for official news and information as it becomes available.
• If you are outside and there is an explosion or authorities warn of a radiation release nearby, cover your nose and mouth and quickly go inside a building away from the explosion that has not been damaged. If you are inside and there is an explosion or radiation release inside your building, cover nose and mouth and go outside immediately, then quickly go inside a building away from the explosion that has not been damaged.
• A radiological attack has similarities to a hazardous materials incident, except that you are safer taking cover in an undamaged building than attempting to evacuate. Remember: to limit the amount of radiation you are exposed to, think about shielding, distance and time. If you have thick walls and roof (such as a thick concrete basement, with no open ventilation to the outside) between yourself and the radioactive materials, more of the radiation will be absorbed by the walls and you will be exposed to less. The farther you are away from the blast and radioactive fallout, the lower your exposure. Minimizing time spent exposed to radioactive materials will also reduce your risk of injury.
• Stay off your phone and cell phone unless it is absolutely necessary! Duirng a terrorist event, the thousands of non-emergency calls to friends and family have jammed phone systems, preventing emergency calls from getting though. In addition, emergency officials may be trying to call you about a danger in your area (using reverse-911, for example) and their important call to you will be blocked if your phone is in use.

BE VIGILANT

• During periods of severe threat, increase your disaster supplies to be adequate for up to two weeks.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Be on the lookout for the Seven Signs of Terrorism
  1. Surveillance: Any unusual or suspicious recording or monitoring your area through video, binoculars, night vision devices, taking pictures, or making drawings. Also, any unusual or suspicious interest in a building or area.
  2. Elicitation: People attempting to gain information about your operations, staffing and security. Any unusual or detailed questions about a building, area, or event.
  3. Tests of Security: People highly attentive to locations of security cameras and methods. Any attempts to gain access to secure areas, or to measure reaction times upon entering restricted areas.
  4. Acquiring Supplies: People attempting to obtain explosives and weapons. Any unusual purchases or thefts of chemicals, fertilizers, weapons, uniforms, etc. Any attempts to steal or obtain fraudulent uniforms, credentials, identification, badges, etc. Any self-storage rentals with suspicious activity or suspicious items stored. Any unusual modifications of vehicles to accept heavy loads, or to resemble commercial or emergency vehicles. Evidence of cons, frauds, smuggling, counterfits, or other schemes to make money.
  5. Suspicious Persons Out of Place: People who don't seem to belong, who loiter in an area where people shouldn't be located, who have conspicuous or unusual behavior, etc.
  6. Dry or Trial Run: Putting people into position and moving them around without actually committing a terrorist act.
  7. Deploying Assets: People and supplies getting into position to commit the act.