8 basic "pocket" measures people can apply when an earthquake occurs

According to statistics from the Institute of Geophysics (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), in the first two months of 2024, a total of 25 small earthquakes occurred nationwide, ranging in magnitude from 2.5 to 4. The most recent was the earthquake that occurred this morning, March 25. Many people in some areas of Hanoi said they clearly felt the shaking caused by the aftershocks of the magnitude 4 earthquake that just occurred in My Duc district.

According to the community guidance document of the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police Department, to stay calm and not panic when an earthquake occurs, people need to pay attention to the following measures:

1. If you are in an area with frequent earthquake warnings, you should proactively prepare emergency supplies including flashlights, radios, warm clothes, blankets, first aid kits, medicines, bottled water and non-perishable food and keep them in an easily visible and accessible area in case an earthquake occurs.

2. Keep calm and protect yourself

- When receiving early warning from the authorities, proactively open doors, windows and doors to ensure escape routes. If aftershocks occur, quickly escape outside.

- If you are in the house and cannot get out in time, hide under a table, cupboard, bed, or the nearest sturdy area to avoid furniture and objects falling from above.

- If you are in the kitchen area, quickly turn off the stove, close the gas valve and exit the kitchen area.

3. Check the safety of relatives and neighbors by calling their names or, if possible, searching the area.

4. Regularly check the radio or other media for updates.

5. Instruct people to stay away from areas with many high-rise buildings or high-rise structures because aftershocks may continue to occur, causing those areas to be at risk of collapse. Note that cars should not be used (except in some areas such as mountainous areas).

6. If a fire, explosion, or accident occurs, call everyone together to put out the fire and save people, and call the Fire Prevention and Rescue Police at 114 to promptly handle the situation.

7. Stock up on daily necessities

- Usually there will be no outside support in the first days after a disaster occurs. Therefore, proactively stock up on necessities to help your family and those around you overcome immediate difficulties.

- Collect natural disaster information and proactively report damage information to local authorities.

8. Comply with instructions from authorities and local governments.

- Comply with the rules of community life in the evacuation area, the spirit of mutual support and assistance.

- Always be careful when eating, drinking or living together, pay attention to the elderly and children to avoid disease outbreaks.

- Continue to be alert for aftershocks.