In recommendations to the public with the aim of taking measures for safety and self-protection against any earthquakes, on the occasion of the very strong seismic tremor that hit the Ghazadib region (being on the border with Syria ) with a magnitude of torque Mw=7.8 and which was also felt in Cyprus, the Civil Defense Force announced.
As far as prevention is concerned, the Civil Defense recommends that at home/office/school, the shelves and bookcases should be firmly fixed to the walls, tall furniture should be moved away from the doors, which can be moved and block possible escape exits, place large and heavy objects lower on shelves and anything else that can fall and break, remove heavy objects from over beds and sofas, mark from now on the safest places in the home, school, work or place of employment to take refuge in them in the event of an earthquake: under sturdy tables, desks or desks, away from glass surfaces and bookcases, away from external walls.
He also recommends securing the water heater and tanks well of fuel and water, fixing lights and ceiling fans well, checking the correct operation of the electricity supply network and of natural gas.
At the same time, it recommends that the public inform their family members/office staff how to turn off the main switches for electricity, water and gas and for the emergency telephone number, 112, to provide themselves with a portable radio with batteries and a case first aid and place a fire extinguisher in an accessible place and practice using it.
In case the public is outside the home/office/school, Civil Defense recommends choosing a safe meeting place after the earthquake that is away from buildings and trees, as well as away from telephone and electric cables.
At the time of the earthquake, Civil Defense advises the public if they are inside the house to keep calm, not to panic, take cover under some durable furniture (table, desk or desk), kneel and hold with their hands his leg, if there is no durable furniture, to kneel in the middle of the room, reducing his height as much as possible and to protect his head and neck with his hands, to move away from large glass surfaces (windows, glass partitions) or furniture and objects that may injure them, do not try to move away from the house and do not go out on the balcony.
At the same time, it recommends that the public, if they are in a tall building, move away from windows and external walls, stay in the area until the vibration ends, not use the elevator to escape, because there is a risk of falling or being trapped in it, due to its interruption electricity or distortion to its drivers, not to stand on open windows, balconies or on the edges of roofs, because the vibration may cause them to fall into the void.
He also advises the public if they are in an entertainment area, shopping center or large store to stay in the area until the vibration ends and not get carried away by the panicked crowd moving disorderly towards the exits, because they risk being trampled.
If the public is in an open space, Civil Defense recommends that they avoid standing near buildings, rocks, electric poles or objects that may fall and injure them, if they have a bag or briefcase with them, to cover their heads with them, to move away from the coasts, because after a strong earthquake, waves can be created with great speed and height that will sweep the coasts.
If the public is in a car, it is recommended that they park as quickly and carefully as possible in an area that does not obstruct traffic, away from high-rise buildings, piles or rocks and avoid passing through tunnels, bridges or overpasses.
After the earthquake, Civil Defense advises the public if they are inside the house to prepare for any aftershocks, to carefully check themselves and those around them for possible injuries, to immediately help children, as well as the disabled, helpless, sick or elderly people to be protected, if he is trapped or trapped somewhere from where he cannot escape, to try in every way to give signs of life so that the rescue crews can locate him, if a fire has broken out somewhere, to put it out before it gets bigger, to avoid entering his house if he sees damage, cut cables, gas or natural gas leakage, not to touch electric cables and objects that touch cables, because he is at risk of electric shock.
It also advises the public not to attempt to move a seriously injured person unless their life is in immediate danger, not to enter damaged buildings until they are assured by authorities that they are safe, to evacuate the building from the stairwell (do not use the lift), after first turning off the electricity, gas and water switches, to use their landline or mobile phone only in exceptional cases, because it causes an overload on the telephone networks, which prevents the smooth coordination of the actions of the Response Services whose mission is to deal with the consequences of the earthquake, to respond to calls for help, but not to circulate unnecessarily so that rescue crews can circulate unhindered, to take refuge in an open and safe area and to follow the instructions of the authorities and not pay attention to rumours.
I'm telling you In order for the public to react to an upcoming gravity wave (tsunami), the Civil Defense recommends that if someone is in a low-lying coastal area, although not all earthquakes cause tsunamis, to stay alert, to observe if there is a significant increase or drop in water level, which is a natural warning, to move away from the sea and head inland for higher elevations, because a small tsunami at one point on the coast can turn into a large tsunami, kilometers away.< /p>
Finally, he advises the public to stay away from the coast, because a tsunami does not consist of a single wave but of a series of waves and to return only after being informed by the competent authorities that there is no danger and not to approach the shores to watch for an oncoming tsunami, because by the time he sees it it may be too late to avoid it.
