Preparing for Quakes

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Sudden earthquakes can catch people off guard. It’s important to be prepared ahead of time. Here's what to do when an earthquake hits.

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The first thing to watch for when an earthquake strikes is falling objects. To avoid injuries, one should cover one's head and hide under a table or a desk. Once the tremors subside, the exit doors should be opened to secure an evacuation route. Gas valves and circuit breakers must be turned off to prevent fires. Immediately going outside can also be dangerous. It is better to wait until the shaking stops completely and to take the stairs instead of elevators. Drivers should exercise extra caution when they are caught on the road during a tremor, because it may feel as if there is a flat tire and the steering wheel may be hard to control. In this case, drivers should slow down, pull off the road to the right if they can, and get out of the car as soon as possible. The first thing that pedestrians should do is cover their heads with items such as bags that they are holding. Holding onto walls or pillars on the street is dangerous even if the ground is shaking violently.

[Soundbite] Chung Sung-ko(Busan Metropolitan City Fire & Safety HQ) : "When there is an earthquake, the earth's crust moves in all directions causing structures and fences to collapse, which may result in human casualties."

It is also advisable to keep a sufficient distance from tall buildings due to the risk of falling signboards and window glass.