Emergency Guidelines: Earthquake

When an earthquake occurs...

1. If you are inside your house:

The safety of you and your family must take priority.

『Go under a table and protect your body.』

► The largest tremors will last up to 1~2 minutes only.

► First, go under a sturdy table, clutch onto the legs of the table, and hide your body.

► If you cannot find a table, protect your head with a seat cushion or something similar.

You must put out any fires quickly but calmly.

『Get into the habit of putting out any fires immediately with a fire extinguisher, and alerting everyone to put out fires early...』

※ It may be difficult for a fire engine to help extinguish fires during severe earthquakes therefore each individual can help reduce any fire damage.

► Learn how to extinguish fires using fire extinguishers or blankets.

► The most important thing is to work with your family and neighbors to control the fire in its early stages.

Do not rush outside!

『 -There are a lot of risk factors outside, check for safety first 』

► If you rush outside during an earthquake, it can be very dangerous because of falling objects such as billboards, signs, or windows.

► Also, items that are not fixed to the ground such as concrete or plastic block fences and vending machines can fall over so you must stay clear.

Open the door to secure a way out!

『 -Prepare an emergency evacuation plan in advance. 』

※ There have been reported cases of people trapped inside in apartments built using reinforced concrete because the doorways get distorted during earthquakes.

► Open the door to secure your exit.

► Prepare an emergency evacuation plan in advance against the risk of getting trapped inside.

2. If you are outside:

『 When you are outdoors, protect your head and stay clear of hazardous items. 』 Let’s be careful of falling objects or walls using concrete blocks!

※ When the ground shakes violently and it becomes difficult to stand, people instinctively want to lean on something. The pillars to your front door or concrete block walls might be the first thing to come to mind. These structures seem safe but in fact, they can be very dangerous.

Concrete block walls or front door columns have  fallen over to cause large numbers of casualties during severe earthquakes in the past. Therefore you must stay clear of these walls or columns.

※ In the city center or commercial districts, falling objects such as glass windows or sign boards can be most dangerous.

It is most important to protect your head with your hands or an object you carry in your hands.

Also, objects that are not fastened down to the ground such as vending machines can fall over so you must be careful. If your in the city, it may be safest to go inside a building, depending on the situation.

3. If you are in an elevator

『Check for your safety and evacuate quickly! Remain calm even if you get trapped inside an elevator』

You must not use elevators during earthquakes or fires.

If you are in an elevator, press all buttons and get off as soon as possible to evacuate.

When you get trapped inside, ask to be rescued using the interphone.

4. Correct information, correct action

『 Do not trust rumors! 』 Take action according to correct information distributed on the radio or from disaster prevention organizations

※ People panic during severe earthquakes.

It is very important to act in accordance with correct information.

Trust information you receive directly from municipal governments, the police, fire department, and other relevant authorities. Do not trust baseless rumors and take action as a result.

※ Search for news on the Korea Meteorological Administration website (www.kma.go.kr) or listen to broadcasts to understand the earthquake situation correctly.

Once the earthquake stops...

Aftershocks are less severe than earthquakes but they can cause critical damage to buildings that are affected by the main earthquake. As such, you must prepare thoroughly against aftershocks as well.

Take care of the wounded and ask to be rescued. If you are in a safe location for the wounded and stay where you are but move them if they are in a dangerous location. Secure their airway first and make sure you keep their head and wounded area steady before you move the wounded.

Do not feed water to unconscious people.

Do CPR if the victim’s heart stops or if the victim is not breathing.

Use a blanket to maintain the body temperature of the wounded but be careful not to cause a fever.

If you are without pwer, use a flashlight. Any leaked gas might explode so check for safety before using fire (candles, matches, lighters).

Wear sturdy shoes to prepare against shattered glass pieces.

If you suspect the safety of your house, you must consult an expert before entering back in.

Check your building (chimneys, fences, walls etc.) but make sure you do your initial checks at a distance for safety.

Clean up any chemicals, bleachers, oils etc. that was spilt inside the building but evacuate if there is too much of it, ventilation is poor, or if you do not know what it is and how to take care of it.

Understand the amount of damage to electrical wires, gas pipes, water pipes and other key pipes as well as household appliances.

If you hear smell leaking gas, open the windows and evacuate. If you can, close the main valve.

If there is a gas leak, close the gas valve, report to the authorities (local urban gas companies or LPG suppliers, KOGAS, 119 etc.) and use after an expert has cleared your system for use.

Use the circuit breaker if you have an electrical problem.

If your water pipes are damaged, close the valve supplying water into the house.

Do not use flush toilets until you confirm any damages to your sewage pipes.

Open cabinet doors carefully as objects can fall down.

Refrain from using the phone unless human lives are at risk.

Listen carefully to news on the emergency situation.

It is best not to go out into the streets but if you must, be careful of any damages caused by the earthquake (fallen power lines, buildings/embankments/bridges/roads on the brink of collapse).

Do not approach any affected areas before you get help from fire fighters, police officers, and emergency rescue personnel.

Prepare against a tsunami if you live in coastal areas.