Check for
injuries. Do not move a seriously injured person unless they are
in immediate danger of further injuries.
Check for
hazards.
Fire or fire
hazards.
Gas leaks.
Shut off the main gas valve only if a leak is suspected or
identified by the odor of natural gas. Wait for the gas company to
turn it back on once the damage is repaired.
Damaged
electrical wiring. Shut off power at the control box.
Downed or
damaged utility lines. Stay away from downed lines, even if
power appears to be off.
Fallen objects
in closets and cupboards. Displaced objects may fall when you
open the door.
Downed or
damaged chimneys. Approach chimneys with caution. They may be
weakened and could topple during an aftershock.
Your telephone.Make sure each phone is on its receiver. Telephones off the
hook tie up the telephone network unnecessarily.
Clean up.
Potentially harmful materials and/or medicines may have spilled.
Anticipate
tsunamis. If you live along the coast, be alert for news of
tsunami warnings issued by the federal government's Tsunami Warning
Center. If an earthquake is centered nearby, there will not be
time to issue a warning. If you experience a strong earthquake
that lasts a very long time, move to higher ground or go to the
upper floors of a building as soon as you are able and stay there
until the authorities issue an all clear.
Expect
aftershocks. Most of these are smaller than the main earthquake.
Some may be large enough to do additional damage to weakened
structures.
