Earthquakes — Module 1 · Phase 3: After

When the shaking stops, don't automatically rush toward the exit. Quickly scan your surroundings and check for any immediate dangers.

• injured people;
• damage to walls, columns, beams, ceilings, or stairs;
• broken glass;
• fallen objects;
• unstable furniture or other items;
• blocked exits;
• smoke or fires;
• the smell of gas;
• damaged or downed power lines;
• water leaks;
• suspended objects that could fall.

Once outside, stay away from damaged buildings, facades, balconies, ledges, walls, poles, power lines, and other objects that could fall.

Do not return to a damaged building until the authorities or qualified professionals indicate that it is safe to do so.

Aftershocks may occur after the initial shaking. Some may be strong enough to cause objects to fall or to worsen existing damage.

DROP – COVER – HOLD ON

DROP

Get down to the ground immediately.

COVER

Protect your head and neck.

HOLD ON

Hold on until the shaking stops.

If you are already in an open, safe area, stay away from buildings, poles, power lines, walls, and other objects that could fall.

Do not enter damaged structures.

Children need physical protection, supervision and emotional support.

"Stay with me."

"Let's walk together."

"Don't touch anything on the floor."

"If it shakes again, we will take cover again."

After the shaking, locate the pets when you can do so without putting yourself in danger.

Before opening doors to the outside, secure the animal to reduce the risk of it escaping.

Put a leash and harness on the dog

Use a muzzle only when the animal needs it and is accustomed to wearing one

Place cats and other small animals in a suitable carrier

Keep pets under control throughout the evacuation

Noises, sirens, people, other animals, and aftershocks can trigger unpredictable reactions even in normally calm pets.

Do not return to an unsafe building just to look for a pet.

When conditions allow you to search without putting yourself at serious risk, do so with caution.

When movement ends in a shopping mall, supermarket, cinema, theater, stadium, place of worship, school, train station, auditorium, or other crowded place, avoid rushing into a crowd.

Follow the instructions of staff, first responders, emergency services, or authorities.

An earthquake that occurs in a coastal area can trigger a tsunami.

Move away from the coast immediately!

Stay in the safe zone until the authorities officially announce that the danger has passed.

The first people to reach an injured person after an earthquake may be family members, neighbors, bystanders, or members of the community itself. However, a rescue carried out without assessing the risks can result in more casualties.

Before you try to help:

Do not enter a building that has sustained significant damage, is at risk of collapse, is on fire, has a gas leak, has live electrical wires, or poses other serious hazards.

Keep in mind that moving an element that appears to be isolated can affect the stability of the entire structure and cause it to collapse.

Structural search and rescue operations should, whenever possible, be carried out by trained and properly equipped personnel.

After an earthquake, fires and damage to gas and electricity systems may occur.

Close the main gas valve only if you know how to do so, can safely access it, and local guidelines recommend doing so.

A facility that has been shut down due to a suspected leak must not be put back into service until it has been inspected in accordance with local regulations.

Treat any downed power line as if it were live.

Do not touch a power line or any object that is in contact with it.

If you can shut off the power from a safe location and know how to do so correctly, follow the instructions provided for the electrical system.

Otherwise, wait for trained personnel to respond.

Do not automatically enter a building after an earthquake.

The absence of visible damage does not guarantee that the structure is safe.

When authorities have restricted access to an area or building, follow those instructions.

02

Before getting close

Observe from a safe distance.

Pay attention to:

Treat the following situations as especially dangerous:

Doors that suddenly fail to open or close normally may be a sign of structural distortion, but this alone is not enough to determine a building's structural condition.

Do not attempt to conduct a technical assessment of structural integrity on your own.

When in doubt, stay out of the building and wait for an assessment by the authorities or qualified professionals.

Return only when conditions and instructions from the authorities allow you to do so.

Once inside:

Be on the lookout for aftershocks.

Identify an evacuation route.

Do not use elevators until they have been declared safe.

Do not approach balconies, damaged windows, or unstable elements.

Wear closed, sturdy footwear.

Use a flashlight if there is not enough light.

07

Be careful with glass, nails, sharp objects and spilled liquids.

08

Do not touch wet or damaged electrical systems.

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Do not light fires.

10

If you smell gas, leave the area immediately.

11

If you detect new damage, leave and report the situation.

Do not remain inside longer than necessary while there is still uncertainty about the building's conditions.

A major earthquake can temporarily disrupt:

Electricity

Drinking water

Gas

Telecommunications

Transportation

Businesses

Health services

Other essential services

Use the emergency supplies prepared in advance.

Prioritize:

Safe water

Adequate food

Essential medications

First aid kit

Flashlights

Radio

Batteries

Means of communication

Hygiene items

Essential documentation

Specific items needed for children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and pets

Manage the resources available rationally.

Do not enter a dangerous building solely to retrieve belongings.

If you need supplies that were left inside a structure, wait until they can be accessed safely.

Recovering belongings should never take priority over life.

Damage to the supply system may affect water quality.

Pay attention to official communications regarding its potability.

If the authorities warn that the supply may be contaminated, do not use that water for:

Drinking

Preparing food

Brushing teeth

Making ice

Washing utensils intended for food

Preparing baby food

Use sealed bottled water or another source that the authorities have indicated is safe.

If the authorities establish procedures for boiling, disinfecting, or treating water, follow those instructions exactly.

Do not assume water is unsafe simply because an earthquake occurred; follow the guidance corresponding to the local situation.

After a power outage or possible contamination:

Discard food that has come in contact with contaminated water when it cannot be safely cleaned or disinfected.

Do not consume food with an abnormal smell, appearance or condition.

Discard containers that are open, damaged, bulging or leaking.

Take extra precautions with perishable food that has been left unrefrigerated.

Keep refrigerators and freezers closed as long as possible during power outages.

Do not taste food to determine whether it is still safe.

Follow the instructions of health authorities regarding food storage and consumption.

The interruption of water, sewage, and waste collection services can create health risks. Maintain, when possible:

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02

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Do not use possibly contaminated water for food-related hygiene.

07

Avoid direct contact with wastewater.

08

Keep children and pets away from pooled water, waste, debris and unknown substances.

After a disaster, rumors and misinformation can spread quickly.

Get information from:

Civil protection authorities

Emergency agencies

The corresponding meteorological, geological, or alert services

Health authorities

Local governments

Security forces

Media outlets that publish verifiable official information

Use a portable radio when electrical or telecommunications networks are unavailable.

Do not spread messages whose source cannot be verified.

Pay special attention to information about:

After a major earthquake, authorities and response organizations may set up shelters, refuges, assistance centers, medical posts, or other facilities designed to care for the affected population. Their availability, location and services will depend on each emergency.

Get information through official sources.

Depending on local conditions, these centers may provide:

Do not automatically head to a particular center based on old or unverified information.

Confirm which ones are actually operational after the earthquake.

After an earthquake, communications and transportation can be affected. Do not travel around the city unnecessarily looking for family members if doing so means passing through dangerous areas. Use the family plan established in advance.

01

Nearby meeting point

If family members were in the home or its vicinity, head to the safe meeting point agreed upon in advance. This location should be far from facades, walls, posts, cables, and other hazards.

02

Official evacuations

Do not try to cross affected areas, damaged bridges, restricted zones, or dangerous areas simply to reach the designated meeting point. If the authorities order the evacuation of an area, proceed to the designated evacuation site, shelter, or safe area.

03

Alternative meeting point

If family members were in different locations, use the alternate meeting point designated in the family plan when it is safe to travel there. Safety takes precedence over immediate reunification.

When it is possible, let your family know where you are and where you are headed. Always follow the instructions of the authorities and stay alert to official information.

Telephone networks may become congested after an emergency.

01

Avoid unnecessarily long calls.

When communication services are available, keep messages brief.

Use text messages or messaging services

Avoid sending pictures, videos and large files

Reduce non-essential communications

Conserve your phone's battery

Keep the family's previously designated contact person informed

A contact located outside the affected area can be useful for centralizing information about different family members when local communications are congested.

Do not rely exclusively on a single app, social network or means of communication.

After an earthquake, electricity may remain unavailable for an extended period of time. To conserve battery power:

Reduce screen brightness

Close unnecessary apps

Enable power-saving features

Disable connections you are not using

Avoid playing videos

Avoid long calls

Use power banks when available

Conserve enough power for important communications and for receiving alerts.

Do not turn off features needed to receive alerts or official information when these are available through the device.

After the earthquake, the surroundings may have changed considerably.

Debris, broken glass, poor lighting, out-of-service elevators, obstacles, and changes to the usual routes may particularly affect people with disabilities.

Assistance should be adapted to each person's needs.

Promote autonomy and keep the person's essential assistive devices with them.

Before moving:

Check for injuries.

Ask the person how they are doing and what assistance they need.

Check the condition of their mobility or communication devices.

Identify essential medications or equipment.

Assess the route before beginning the evacuation.

Clearly explain any necessary change to the planned procedure.

Do not force unnecessary movements.

Be aware that some injuries may not be immediately apparent.

When evacuation becomes necessary:

Use accessible routes that remain safe.

Follow the established emergency plan.

Do not unnecessarily separate the person from their wheelchair, cane, crutches, walker, hearing aid, communication devices or other essential items.

Request trained personnel when a complex transfer is necessary.

Avoid improvising lifting techniques that could injure the person or those assisting them.

Do not use elevators that have been damaged, are out-of-service, or have not been authorized for use after the earthquake.

If a planned route is no longer accessible, immediately communicate the situation to those responsible for the evacuation or to the emergency services.

Do not leave a person in a hazardous area simply because a conventional evacuation method is not immediately available.

After the shaking:

Check that the wheelchair is functioning properly.

Visually inspect the wheels, brakes, and essential components.

Remove small obstacles when you can do so safely.

Keep the person in their wheelchair as long as it continues being a safe means of mobility.

Lock the brakes when stationary.

Do not lift or carry a person manually unless necessary.

Do not carry a wheelchair with removable components or components not designed to support the person's weight during a transfer.

If the electric wheelchair stops working, ask the person about the procedure they normally follow to receive assistance.

When a transfer over stairs or significant obstacles is necessary, try to ensure that trained personnel and appropriate equipment are available.

After the earthquake, familiar reference points may have disappeared or changed.

If you are providing assistance:

• identify yourself; briefly describe the situation;
• ask how the person would prefer to be guided;
• warn them about steps, broken glass, debris, uneven surfaces and obstacles;
• describe significant changes in the route;
• do not push or pull the person unexpectedly;
• do not separate the person from their cane or other orientation aids;
• if the person uses a guide dog, keep the animal with them whenever possible;
• allow the person to keep as much independence as possible.

Power outages and environmental noise can make communication difficult. Try to:

Establish eye contact.

Use sign language where it is known.

Use clear gestures.

Write messages when necessary.

Use a phone or other devices as visual aids.

Provide written information about evacuations and significant changes.

Provide enough lighting for lip-reading or visual communication.

Do not shine a bright flashlight directly into the person's eyes.

Sirens, crowds, changes in routine, aftershocks and unknown environments may produce anxiety or overstimulation. Use:

Brief instructions.

Familiar language.

Concrete explanations.

Previously practiced routines.

Visual aids when available.

Personal items that help regulate sensory stimuli when they are part of the person's usual needs.

Avoid yelling, contradictory commands, and unnecessary physical contact.

In shelters or crowded places, try to find a relatively quiet space whenever possible.

Do not use physical restraint as a general method of control.

People who depend on medication or medical devices require special consideration. Keep the following immediately accessible, whenever possible:

If a person depends on essential electrically powered equipment and the power supply is interrupted, report the situation as soon as possible to emergency services, the assistance center, or the appropriate provider.

Do not enter an unsafe structure to retrieve medications or equipment without first assessing the risk.

After an earthquake, activate the support system established during preparedness planning.

Family members, neighbors, caretakers or previously designated individuals can check whether those who need assistance:

Do not enter a hazardous building to carry out this check.

If you are unable to locate a potentially vulnerable person and there is reason to believe that they may be trapped or in danger, report the situation to emergency services.

In the days that follow:

Continue to be prepared for aftershocks.

Respect restricted areas.

Do not enter buildings declared as unsafe.

Follow the guidance on water and food.

Stay informed through official sources.

Conserve available resources.

Keep in contact with family members when communications allows.

Assist vulnerable people in your surroundings.

Keep children away from debris and damaged structures.

Keep pets under control.

Be careful around wires, broken glass, hazardous substances and unstable elements.

Do not interfere with rescue operations.

Report dangerous situations to the authorities.

Returning back to normal may take time.

Do not interpret a decrease in the visible activity of emergency services as an indication that all hazards have disappeared.

Community solidarity can be essential after a disaster. However, assistance should be provided in an organized manner.

If you wish to help:

Contact the responsible authorities or the organizations.

Find out about the actual needs.

Follow the coordination instructions.

Do not enter restricted areas on your own initiative.

Do not interfere with search and rescue teams.

Do not handle unstable structures.

Do not distribute unverified information.

Do not obstruct streets or access routes needed by ambulance, firefighters, and emergency response teams.

Spontaneous assistance is most effective when it is safely integrated into the organized response.

After an earthquake, people may experience fear, anxiety, confusion, irritability, difficulty sleeping and concern for family members or about possible aftershocks. These reactions can occur in both adults and children.

Try to:

Stay with others.

Stay in communication with family members and trusted people.

Obtain information from reliable sources without continually exposing yourself to disturbing images.

Reestablish basic routines when conditions allow.

Allow children and adults to express their concerns.

Seek professional help when a person experiences an intense or persistent reaction, or one that significantly interferes with their daily functioning.

In children, keep explanations simple and age-appropriate.

Do not promise that there will be no more aftershocks. Explain that further shakings may occur and remind them what to do if the ground starts shaking again.

Emergency numbers vary by country and, in some cases, by jurisdiction. Do not assume that a single number works universally throughout the Americas.

Before an emergency occurs, identify and record the official emergency numbers for the place where you live or are staying.

When a real emergency occurs:

First state what happened.

Provide the location as precisely as possible.

Report how many people need assistance.

Briefly describe the existing hazards.

Follow the operator's instructions.

Do not end the call until instructed to do so, unless it becomes unnecessary to do so for safety reasons.

If phone lines are congested, do not make unnecessary calls.

Reserve emergency services for situations that truly require urgent intervention.