When an earthquake occurs, you should immediately take three steps to protect your life: “DROP, COVER, HOLD ON” to protect your head and neck from falling objects.
Taipei, Taiwan (Merxwire) – Recently, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred in Sichuan. When people quake, they usually choose to run away immediately from buildings. The most important thing at the moment of an earthquake is to protect the head and neck from being smashed or crushed by objects. The concept of disaster prevention is more advanced with the times. Experts call on everyone to update the evacuation instructions at any time. Beware of outdated ideas that will kill you!
Taiwan is located at the junction of the Pacific Ocean plate and the Eurasian plate. Earthquakes often occur, but is your concept of disaster prevention correct? Disaster prevention agencies and experts around the world agree that once an earthquake occurs, the safest action is to take a “drop, Cover, Hold On” activities and hide under the table or in the wall corner. When the table moves with the earthquake, the people under the table move with the table so that the table forms a protective layer to avoid injury.
According to the recommendations of the Earthquake Country Alliance (ECA), when an earthquake occurs, the most important thing is to protect your own body’s safety. Never rush out directly or stand in place and wait for the shaking to become more severe. ECA proposes seven steps for earthquake safety, of which the fifth item is “Drop, Cover and Hold On.” Lying down is to lower the body to protect the head and neck from being injured by falling objects; cover is Hide under the table and hold the legs of the table tightly with both hands. When the earthquake shakes so much that the table can be moved, the person hiding under the table should also move with the table, making the table a protective barrier. Finally, Hold On is to grab the table feet, feet flat on the floor, stabilize the body and the table, and avoid shaking and overturning.
In the past, it was circulated on the Internet that one should take refuge in the Golden Triangle during an earthquake. Still, many disaster prevention experts have long rejected this statement. The so-called golden triangle refers to the triangular living space formed by the house and the table and other objects when the house collapses, or the ceiling falls. However, we cannot judge the falling direction of the furniture. Instead, it may be injured by collapsed objects. It is now recognized that this method is hazardous and possibly fatal.
Affected by extreme climate and climate change, various disasters and earthquakes are widespread worldwide. In the face of catastrophe, we can’t relax, let alone take chances. Usually, we can be more prepared, and when disasters come, we can have more peace of mind.
