Take an earthquake for instance
Natural disasters follow few man made rules. We are watching the disastrous consequences of one in Haiti… collapsed buildings, chaos, lack of emergency services, death and injuries. Many of our citizens and our government have sent assistance to this ravaged country. But what would you do if an earthquake happened in our area? Living near the New Madrid Fault line as we do, there is a high probability that one will occur… but no one can predict when… we can only be prepared for it.
Commonsense can help a lot during a natural disaster. But what should you do?
What if you are outdoors? Common sense would tell you to move safely to a clear area and avoid power lines, trees, vehicles or any other hazards. If you live down stream from a dam or river, an evacuation plan and knowledge of your flood-zone area is something vital to have.
What if you are driving? Avoid any overpasses or bridges… pull over to the side of the road from other vehicles, stop and set your parking break. Don’t get out of your vehicle till the shaking is over. Stay away from downed power lines and let a professional handle them. All common sense… right!
What if you’re inside a building? Earthquake pamphlets with photos of people crouching under desks with their head lowered and holding on jog my memory. Just like those photos, being a rational person, you would drop, cover, and hold on. After dropping to the floor, taking cover under a sturdy desk or table, you would reasonably hold on to till the shaking stops. No table or desk? Move against the interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms. Using your commonsense you would avoid being near the stove or refrigerator, tall furniture, exterior walls or windows… all of which might fall and crush you. Most importantly you wouldn’t go outside and make yourself more vulnerable to other hazards.
The USGS offer many opportunities to learn and prepare for an earthquake. For our children, they have ‘cool’ facts, puzzles, games and activities. Your child can become an Earthquake Scientist and ask questions on this web site:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/
This site also has a tab for Students and Teachers. It offers educational resources for all levels to learn more about earthquakes. FEMA also offers a fun, yet informative site for kids at http://www.fema.gov/kids/quake.htm
Since natural disasters can’t be forecasted, we can only prepare. Creating a disaster plan, a supply kit, and fixing any potential problem in our homes can go a long way to surviving an earthquake. By using our commonsense, we increase our chance of surviving any natural hazard.
BJ Lanford can be reached at bjlanford@gmail.com for any questions or comments.
Great informative article. Would like to see more.