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Know What to Do During a Disaster

June 25, 2007

Ready?
Here are some basic procedures for specific disasters. (For more information on these and other disasters, visit the Public Safety Canada Website.)

During an Earthquake

  • If You Are In a Building:

    • Stay inside. Stay away from windows. Get under a heavy desk or table and hang on. If you can’t get under something strong, flatten yourself against an interior wall, protect your head and neck.

  • If You Are Outside:

    • Go to an open area. Move away from buildings or any structure that could collapse. Stay away from power lines and downed electrical wires.

  • If You Are In a Car:

    • Stop the car and stay in it. Avoid bridges, overpasses or underpasses, buildings or anything that could collapse on you and your car.

    During a Tornado

  • If You Are in a Building:

    • Go to the basement immediately. If there isn’t one, crouch or lie flat (under heavy furniture) in an inner hallway or small inner room or stairwell away from windows. Stay away from large halls, arenas, shopping malls etc. (their roofs could collapse).

  • If You Are Caught Outside:

    • If there is no shelter, lie down in a ditch or ravine, protecting your head.

  • If You Are Driving:

    • Get out and away from the car. It could be blown through the air or roll over you. Lie down in a ditch or ravine, protecting your head.

    During a Severe Lightning Storm

  • If You Are in a Building:

    • Stay inside. Stay away from windows, doors, fireplaces, radiators, stoves, metal pipes, sinks or other electrical-charge conductors. Unplug TVs, radios, toasters, computers and other electrical appliances. Don’t use the phone or other electrical equipment.

  • If You Are Outside:

    • Seek shelter in a building, cave or depressed area. If you’re caught in the open, crouch down with your feet close together and your head down (the “leap-frog” position). Don’t lie flat- by minimizing your contact with the ground, you reduce the risk of being electrocuted by a ground charge. Keep away from telephone and power lines, fences, trees and hilltops. Get off bicycles, motorcycles and tractors.

  • If You Are In a Car:

    • Stop the car and stay in it. Don’t stop near trees or power lines that could fall.

    During a Flood

    Turn off basement furnaces and the outside gas valve. Shut off the electricity. If the area around the fuse box or circuit breaker is wet, stand on a dry board and shut off the power with a dry stick. Never try to cross a flooded area on foot. The fast water could sweep you away.

  • If You Are In a Car:

    • Try not to drive through flood waters. Fast water could sweep your car away. However, if you are caught in fast-rising waters and your car stalls, leave it, and save yourself and your passengers.

    During a Winter Power Failure

    Turn the thermostat(s) down to minimum and turn off all appliances, electronic equipment and tools to prevent injury, damage to the equipment and fire. Power can also be restored more easily when the system is not overloaded.
    Use proper candle holders. Never leave lit candles unattended.
    Don’t use charcoal or gas barbecues, camping heating equipment or home generators indoors.
    Home generators are handy for backup electricity in case of an outage, but there are hazards to be aware of.
    To operate a generator safely, follow the manufacturers instructions, and always:

  • ensure that the generator operates outdoors in well-ventilated conditions, well away from doors or windows;
  • Connect lights and appliances directly to the generator. If extension cords must be used, ensure they are properly rated cords approved by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

    • Direct installation of a generator to an existing electrical system should only be done by a qualified technician.

    This information is a synthesis of various sources. For more disaster preparedness information visit the Public Safety Canada Website.

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    Written by adam · Filed Under Emergency, Events, The Environment, theOwen 

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