Earthquake Evacuation Steps

I.   When an earthquake starts:

1. Stay inside.
2. Get everyone to ‘DROP’ under heavy furniture such as a table, desk, bed or solid furniture. 
3. ‘COVER’ head and torso to prevent being hit by falling objects. 
4. ‘HOLD’ onto the object to remain covered.
5. If there is nothing strong to get under flatten or crouch against an interior wall. 
6. Face away from windows. 

      If Outside: Go to an open area away from buildings, walls, trees and power lines. Avoid the following: Doorways (slamming doors will cause injuries), windows (shattering glass), downed power lines (remain a minimum of 10 meters away) and coastlines (can trigger tsunamis). 

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II.   After the earthquake:

1. The teacher will:

1. Check for injuries and begin first aid if necessary. Do not move an injured child/adult unless the area is unsafe. 
2. Check water, gas, and electrical lines. If damaged, shut off at mains. If gas leakage is detected, open windows, and take children out of the building. Report gas leakage to emergency workers. 
3. Do not use candles, matches, or other open flames. Broken gas lines may catch fire or explode. 
4. Turn on your radio and listen to emergency instructions. Use car radio if no other radio is available. 
5. Do not make phone calls unless they are life-saving. Ensure the telephone handsets that have fallen are placed back in their cradle.    
6. Care and maintain supervision of the children (rope the area if necessary). Inside – in the centre of the room away from the windows. Outside – by or under large climbing structures. 
7. Collection of stored supplies. Located on the storage shelve beside the main entrance door in the dark blue bag.
8. Set up sign in and out for parents (use regular sign in binders). All children`s emergency card copies and earthquake plans are located in the back of the binder with out of province phone number. 
9. Deal with out of province information phone call. Name is our contact in Name province. 
10. Hand washing and toileting. Plug and fill all sinks for rinsing after urination in buckets. Toilets are not likely to be working. Bags are to be used to line the buckets for bowel movements. Not to use for food preparation or drinking water. The drinking water is located in the earthquake supplies. 
11. Food preparation and distribution. The centre will ration food items as children may remain at the centre 3-7 days before going home.  

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