Earthquake of Magnitude 6.9 Hits Region — What To Do
- Jeronnie Richardson (MBA)
- Aug 21, 2018
- 2 min read
There are a number of things you can do to stay safe during an earthquake — and none of them involve running. According to the University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre, on 21 August at 5:31 PM local time an earthquake occurred west of Trinidad, located at 10.56°N, 62.80°W, with a magnitude of 6.9 and a depth of 86 km. It was felt widely across the Eastern Caribbean, and the event was reviewed by a seismologist.
It's become clear that most people aren't fully sure what to do when the ground starts shaking. So we've put together a simple guide — because in the minutes after a quake, a flood of information, photos and videos hit the internet, some decades old, and very little of it shows the right thing to do.
If you are indoors
DROP to the ground, take COVER under a sturdy table or other furniture, and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there's no table nearby, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall — light fixtures, furniture and the like.
If you're in bed, stay there. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you're under a heavy fixture that could fall — in which case move to the nearest safe place.
Avoid doorways unless you know it's a strongly supported, load-bearing one close to you; many interior doorways are lightly built and offer little protection.
Stay inside until the shaking stops. Most injuries happen when people try to move around or leave a building mid-quake.
Do NOT use the lifts.
Be aware that the power may cut out, or sprinklers and fire alarms may activate.
If you are outdoors
Stay there.
Move away from buildings, streetlights and utility wires.
Once in the open, remain there until the shaking stops — the greatest danger is directly outside buildings, at exits and along exterior walls.
If you are in a moving vehicle
Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses or utility wires.
Once the shaking stops, proceed cautiously — avoid roads, bridges or ramps that may have been damaged.
If you are trapped under debris
Do not light a match.
Do not move around or kick up dust.
Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you, or use a whistle if you have one. Shout only as a last resort — shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
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