Disaster Preparedness When Traveling in Earthquake-Prone Areas

Now, one of my favorite parts of travel writing is that — the very food that you eat can be the subject of the article you will be tackling in your article. But the best reason and the most exciting part to indulge in a traveling adventure is to earn money from the articles you'll be writing about the places you visit, and the hotels you'll be staying in. Which, if you know the tricks and secrets of the trade, will all be free of charge. I know most adventurous souls like you will not be able to resist such a treat.

Just to make it clear and so that you can be well informed, the article we have been talking about could be published in trade magazines, travel magazines, airline magazines, and whatnot.

Here's the thing. While traveling you will naturally take photos, right? The images you will be snapping will earn money too. And not only once but many times. A photo, if taken like a professional, can be sold to several publications many times over.

Now, let's talk about the drawback. You have to face the reality that you are in an unfamiliar place and that causes problems. In case, an earthquake will suddenly hit. What will you do? how can you protect yourself? Where will you take cover? Where will you get emergency needs? Where can you ask for help?

This is the main reason I wrote this article. To help you prepare for any untoward incident. Let's focus on just one kind of disaster in this post — earthquakes.

Here are Safety Tips to be Protected from Earthquakes

• Have a readiness plan.


• Consult a professional to learn where to stay. They might know some hotel or home rental that are sturdier. Or you can learn some techniques to make your place a little sturdier from them, such as making bookcases almost invincible by bolting them to wall studs, installing extra-strong latches on kitchen cupboards, and using straps on a water heater to wall studs.


• Pick an area in each room of the hotel that you hide into in case an earthquake strikes. This spot should be where nothing has the tendency to fall on you.


• Keep a supply of canned food (something that's easy to open), a first aid kit that's updated always, 3 gallons (11.4 liters) of water, dust masks and goggles, and a working battery-operated radio and some flashlights. A pen and a sturdy mobile phone; the smaller the better.


• Practice turning off your water and gas mains every time you go out.

If Shaking Begins

• You have to drop down immediately; take cover under a table, desk, or a high sofa and hold on.


• Be still and stay indoors until the shaking stops. Listen and observe carefully if there are no more aftershocks and exit. This way, you have a better chance to not be injured and safe from danger.


• Avoid and stay from furniture or bookcases that could fall on you.


• Stay away from windows (especially large ones). In a technically advanced high-rise structures, always expect the fire alarms and sprinklers to go off when a quake hits.


• In case you are in bed, hold on and keep still where you are, protecting your head with a pillow. If you can act fast, go under the bed for better protection.


• If you are outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, and power lines. Drop to the ground.


• If you are in a car, slow down and drive to a clear place. Stay in the car until the shaking stops.

via Anthony Dejolde

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GN (Galeri Nusantara) berusaha memberikan informasi terbaru mengenai berbagai hal yang ada diseluruh nusantara dan dunia dengan akurat dan sumber yang terpercaya.