Guide in pdf format

Earhtquakes

BEFORE THE EARTHQUAKE

• Fix shelves and bookcases to the walls.
• Screw fuel and water tanks as well as heaters to the walls.
• Put heavy objects to lower shelves.
• Remove heavy objects from above beds and sofas.
• Fix all lights.
• Specify well protected spaces in each room of the house
  • Under steady desks or tables.
  • Away from glass surfaces and bookcases.
  • Away from exterior walls.
• Specify safe spaces outside the house
  • Away from buildings and trees.
  • Electric and telephone cables.
• Check the correct function of the electric network as well as all connections of the gas network.
• Inform all family members of how to turn off the switches/valves (water supply, electricity, gas).
• Inform all family members of the above mentioned measures.
• Get a portable radio with batteries, a torch and a first aid kit.
• Inform, especially the children of the family, of the emergency numbers (112, 100, 166, 199, etc).
• Agree on a specific place to meet after the earthquake.

  DURING THE EARTHQUAKE

• If you are inside the house
  • Remain calm.
  • Cover yourself under any steady furniture and protect your eyes using the interior side of your hand.
  • If there isn’t any steady furniture around you, sit on the floor turning your face towards the interior wall, away from windows and furniture which could fall on you.
  • If you are in bed, do not move and protect your head using a pillow.
  • Do not try to move away from the house.
  • Do not use the elevator.
  • Do not go out in the balconies.

  If you are on a tall building move away from glasses and exterior walls.

  If you are in a recreation place or in a store or mall, remain calm and avoid panic. Stay away from the crowd which could probably be moving irregularly to exits.

• If you are outside the house
  • Move away from neighbouring buildings as well as from electric or telephone cables.
  • Cover your head using a briefcase or a purse that may be available.
  • Stay in an open space until the earthquake shock stops.

• If you are using a vehicle
  • Drive to an open space and stop the car immediately.
  • Stay inside the car until shaking stops.
  • Avoid bridges or pedestrian overpasses.

  AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE

• Be prepared for the aftershocks.
• Check for possible injuries to you or anyone around you.
• Do not move seriously injured persons.
• Follow the instructions of the authorities and do not believe in ungrounded rumors.
• Use the telephone only in emergency to avoid an overload of the telephone network.
• Do not use the car, impeding the rescue parties.
• Avoid entering the house especially if you see damages, smell gas or see any cables destroyed.

If you are close to the seaside (tsunami)

• The earthquake constitutes a natural warning for an oncoming tsunami. After a strong earthquake, move away from the seashore or from areas of low altitude next to the sea.
• Stay away from seaside areas until you are informed by the competent Service that risk is over. A tsunami is not only a wave but a series of waves with different time of arrival at the seashore.
• Do not approach the shore in order to watch a tsunami coming. When you see the tsunami coming, it will probably be too late to avoid it.
• In many cases, an oncoming tsunami is preceded by an important increase or decrease of the water level. This phenomenon constitutes a warning of the nature and should be seriously taken into consideration.
  • Not all earthquakes cause a tsunami. However, when you feel an earthquake, stay alert. A warning for an oncoming tsunami may follow.
  • A relatively small-sized tsunami could be transformed to an extremely dangerous tsunami in a distance of several kilometers.

  AT SCHOOL

• During the earthquake indoors
  • Cover yourself quickly under the desk.
  • Fall on the knees and cover your head with your hands.
  • Stay away from the windows.
  • Stay where you are until you are given more instructions by your teachers.
• During the earthquake in an open space
  • Listen carefully to the instructions of your teachers and stay away from other buildings, trees and cables.
  • Sit on the ground and cover your head with your hands.
  • Stay outdoors.
  • If you are in the way to school, do not change your itinerary and go on in the same direction.
  • If you return home from school, do not change your itinerary and go on in the same direction.