Tips to stay safe at home during an earthquake

• Tips on Keeping Your House Safe During an Earthquake
• Tips on Being Safe During an Earthquake
• Frequently Asked Questions

A strong earthquake can put your life in danger, whilst also causing severe damage to your house and belongings. So what can you do to keep yourself as safe as possible? In this guide, we go through some earthquake preparedness tips that will help you should the situation arise.

Tips on keeping your house safe during an earthquake

The tips listed below should go a long way to ensuring your property and belongings stay safe and intact in the event of an earthquake

Heavy Hanging Items Should Be Bolted

Any heavy item that mounts on the wall, such as a television, should be firmly fixed. Securing these items on the wall will not only protect them from damage, it also reduces the likelihood of broken glass or debris falling to the floor. For the best performance, anchor wall-mounted items directly into wall studs.

Heavy Items Should be Close to the Floor

Keep the heaviest boxes and single items on lower shelves. This assures that a heavy object will only fall a short distance during an earthquake, reducing the danger of injury or damage.

Make sure to install child-proof locks on cabinet door handles to keep stored objects safe and in their place.

Ensure Furniture by the Wall is Anchored

If bookcases, dressers, and other wall-hugging furniture are not anchored to a wall, they may tumble over during an earthquake. Using earthquake straps or anchor kits, attach the top rear side of such furniture to a wall.

These are often screwed to the furniture, and the associated nylon webbing, braided cable, or other flexible material is screwed to the wall studs or anchors.

Tips on being safe during an earthquake

In most cases, you can protect yourself during an earthquake by doing the following:

• Drop to your hands and knees. This stance keeps you from falling while still allowing you to manoeuvre if necessary.
• Hide beneath a strong table. If you don’t have access to a shelter, lie down against an interior wall. Even low-lying furniture can be useful in this regard. Basically, anything that won’t fall on you. Use your arms and hands to shield your head and neck.
• Don’t leave your shelter. Your head and neck should be covered at all times until the shock ends. If the shaking causes your shelter to shift, be ready to move with it.
• If possible, get away from glass, bookcases, cabinets or furniture that could fall due to the waves of the earthquake. Keep an eye out for falling items like bricks from fireplaces and chimneys. This also includes light fixtures and cabinets with swinging doors.
• If you’re in bed, grasp on and stay still, using a pillow to cover your head. Staying put means you’re less likely to get injured. If you walk or slide onto the broken glass on the floor, you may get hurt so cover yourself and stay there.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I’m in a car during an earthquake?

If you’re in a moving car, come to a complete stop as soon as possible and pull over to the nearest safe spot to avoid utility poles, overhead wires and under or overpasses. Remain in the vehicle until the shaking stops.

Can I use an elevator during an earthquake?

Definitely not. Avoid at all costs.

That wraps up our guide on earthquake preparedness tips. If you are concerned about the safety of your home for any reason at all, our guide to the best home insurance options in the UAE is essential reading