where does the most danger come from in an earthquake ?

Question

We live in a 30's apartment block near the San Andreas fault, and are wondering what we should do in an emergency, we are on the 4th floor of 8 levels, and have 3 kids so in an early morning quake we wont be able to evacuate in a hurry , but our building is so shaky we are worried about collapse-any ideas for shelters or strong tables etc ? thank you....

Answer 1

I was always told to stand in a doorway. I grew up in Alaska and experienced many quakes. I never lived in an apartment complex. I would definately stay off the stair and/or elevator once the earthquake began. Do you have an earthquake survival kit? It might be good idea to put one together if you don't.

Answer 2

stomboy6, I´ve been in and survived strong earthquakes, always in a house, though. Some small ones in office building, but newly constructed ones built w/specifics for earthquake zones.
Collapse is the first issue here, and it happens too fast to allow evacuation -- I don´t know if I should continue, don´t want to scare you, so I´ll suggest some things to have and do;
1. A good long-lasting flashlight on your nightstand or hanging withing reach for each family member. check the batteries regularly.
2. Slip on shoes, with hard soles, but not high soles - and ones that will allow you to run, or go up or down stairs. (broken glass)
3. Make certain everybody sleeps with pijamas
4. Buy disposable masks for all
5. Never, ever use matches, lighters, or switches -- nothing that can ignite broken gas pipes.
6. cell phones and a radio - use away from gas pipes
Check if your builiding is earthquake 'approved' - if not consider moving to one, or to a house.
You should have a family plan of action, a meeting place, some family member(s) out of state to call and report to
Once you survive the quake, you should be prepared to have everything you will need for a minimum of two weeks time. Have cash, medicines, water, water, water, can openers, canned food.
If moving is not an option, create an earthquake team within your building complex.
As for shelters within the apartment, the best are said to be to stand under the door frames, away from windows.
I could go on and on, and I´m not doing a very good job here, so make a plan of action, watch some news videos of past quakes analyze what you and your family will need, when and if it comes.
Hope this helps, and that the quakes miss your area.
All the best,

Answer 3

The hallway is usually the safest place in your situation. Ususally there are many doorways in a hall. The structure of a doorway is reinforced, so the hallway would have several reinforcements, making it the safest if you HAVE no way out. If the earthquake was the "big one".. a table would be useless. In your situation, if family was still in bed when the shaking begins, everyone takes their blanket with them and go directly to the hallway. Sit an a L position on the floor in a doorway, keep your heads covered with a blanket. Make sure each family member has a doorway "assigned" ahead of time.
Any way, thats probably how I would do it.. Hope it helps!

Answer 4

well so far i hav learnt in disaster management...its on the first place very detrimental to livin in such a buildin, i mean, why puttin d lives of ur children at stake, what, if GOD FORBID, all d measures that u must hav ever thought proves a big fiasco.
if u hav no other option but stayin there then i suggest, keep a bag of emergent n essentials at a palce in a very easily accessible place which consists of TORCH, FIRST AID KIT, BATTERIES, CELLPHONE, SOME MONEY, KNIFE, IMP. MEDICINES N ANY OTHER CARDINALS THAT IS LIKELY TO BE REQUIRED IN UR SCENARIO.
IMP. DO'S N DONT'S----
1. KEEP URSELF CALM N ASSESS THE SITUATION
2. NEVER THINK OF JUMPIN FROM THE WINDOW... U'L LAND UP IN FRACTURES IF U ESCAPED..
3. TAKE SHELTER UNDER STRONG STUDY TABLES.. NEVER GO UNDER FRAGILE PLANKS OR ALLOY BEDS.
NEVER STAND AGAINST ANY WALL, AS IT MAY COLLAPSE, THOUGH THE CORNERS OF THE WALLS R A BETTER OPTION AS IT IS COMPARITIVELY RESISTENT TO COME DOWN
4. TRY TO LEAVE THE SITE AS QUICKLY N EARLY AS POSSIBLE..
N LAST BUT NOT LEAST----- DO NOT PANIC..GOD BLESS UR FAMILY N UR BUILDING

Answer 5

Usually a smaller room like a hallway or bathroom is safest. They used to say to stand in a door way but if you do you have to be careful that the quake doesn't slam the door on you. Stay away from windows. Make sure you have a good pry bar or crowbar because doors can be jammed.

Answer 6

Moving to a one story dwelling would'nt hurt.