The Directorate for Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs reminds citizens that in the event of an earthquake, it is of crucial importance not to allow them to panic, that when an earthquake occurs, they stay in their house, apartment, workplace and take the appropriate position in the safest place. place.
"They should leave the building only after the shaking has stopped, calmly, without panic, taking into account the state of the stairs if they are in multi-story buildings, and moving away to a safe distance from the building," according to the Directorate.
The Directorate for Emergency Situations is, as they state, in constant communication with colleagues from the Republic of Albania with the aim of possibly sending assistance, which is common in such situations.
What to do before an earthquake?
Check all potential hazards:
- attach shelves, boilers, chandeliers, mirrors, etc. for the wall;
- avoid placing cabinets, shelves, pictures, mirrors, etc. above the places where people stay and sleep;
- place dangerous and flammable substances in a safe place.
Identify safe places inside and outside the facility:
− in the house, apartment, school, determine one or more safe places for shelter in case of an earthquake, and that as far as possible from windows, large glass surfaces and partition walls;
- outdoors as far as possible from buildings, trees, telephone and electric lines, bridges, tunnels, etc.
Have ready at your fingertips:
- flashlight, transistor receiver with spare batteries, mobile phone, first aid kits, medicines, identification documents, fire extinguisher, multipurpose knife, sleeping bag, etc.;
- certain stocks of canned food and bottled water.
Carry out continuous education:
− to upgrade knowledge and skills about protection and how to act before, during and after an earthquake;
- at school and at the workplace, find out what is foreseen in the earthquake protection and rescue plan.
What to do during an earthquake?
If you are there during the earthquake indoors:
- Stay calm and composed - don't let yourself panic. Be aware that some earthquakes are just initial shocks and that the next, stronger earthquake may soon follow.
- Find shelter in safe places in the house, such as: doorposts, load-bearing walls, a place under a table, sturdy furniture, and stay there for the duration of the earthquake, or cover your face and head with your hands and take shelter in the corner of the interior walls of the room - no way you may stay in the center of the room.
- Don't try to run away.
- Stay away from glass, windows, exterior walls and doors, and anything that can fall, such as chandeliers or shelves.
- If you are in bed, get down next to the bed and protect your head.
- Stay indoors until the earthquake stops and it is safe for you to leave (research has shown that most injuries occur when people try to leave buildings during an earthquake). From the ground floor building or from the first floor, you can go out into the open space (never through a window or balcony/terrace), but make sure you are at a safe distance from the buildings.
- As long as the earthquake lasts, avoid stairs and elevators.
- If you are in a public facility (school, company, shopping center, recreation center or store) - stay calm and avoid panic. Stay away from the mass of people panicking towards the exits.
- Be aware that there may be a power outage, and that alarms (fire and other) may be activated.
If you are there during the earthquake in an open space:
- Stay away from buildings, bridges, tunnels, street lights, electric poles and cables; the greatest danger is near buildings, at exits and along external walls.
- If you are on the street, take care of objects that can fall on you, such as chimneys, roof tiles, broken window glass and the like.
Protect your head with your hands or a purse.
- Stay put until official instructions.
If you are in a moving vehicle during an earthquake:
- Stop if traffic safety allows and stay in the vehicle.
- Avoid stopping near buildings, trees, overpasses or electric cables.
- Proceed with caution when the earthquake stops. Avoid roads, bridges, viaducts, tunnels, ramps that may have been damaged in an earthquake, as well as locations that have been recorded as prone to landslides and landslides.
What to do after an earthquake?
If you find yourself under rubble:
- Do not light a match.
- Don't move.
- Cover your mouth with a tissue or cloth.
- Hit the pipe or wall so rescue teams can find you. If
you have a whistle, use it. Only shout if it is a last resort, as shouting can cause you to inhale dangerously large amounts of dust.
- Keep your composure and try to get your bearings.
- If pressed with a lighter material, start with a light removal, saving strength and avoiding sharp objects and subsequent injury.
In other situations:
- Be prepared for additional earthquakes. If the object is damaged, due to the possibility
of a stronger earthquake, leave it calmly, without panic and in order: mothers with children, the elderly, the sick, people with disabilities, etc.
- Take the most important things with you.
- If you are in a damaged building and smell gas or see broken cables, do not light candles and matches, due to the risk of fire and explosions.
- Turn off the electricity at the main switch, close the gas and water at the main valve.
- Check if anyone is injured.
- Do not move seriously injured persons.
- Use the phone only in case of emergency so that the phone lines are not overloaded.
- Do not use vehicles because rescuers need the roads.
- Avoid entering the house/apartment, especially if there is damage.
- Drink only bottled water.
- Do not disturb the work of the rescuers.
- Follow the instructions of the competent authorities and act on them.
- If a fire occurs, try to extinguish it and notify the local protection and rescue service.
- If necessary and if you are able, join the rescue teams from the ruins and get involved in the search and assistance to the victims under the ruins of the collapsed buildings.
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