New Delhi: Earthquakes are a common natural occurrence, however, pose a varying degree of danger. Hence, it is important to know which steps can be taken to save oneself and the people around from the potential threat. ALSO READ | Earthquake In Turkey, Greece Claims About 22 Lives With Nearly 800 Injuries; 196 Aftershocks Reported

Here are some of the commonly used precautions and safety measures for protection from damage caused by an earthquake.

What to do during the earthquake?


In case, you experience an earthquake - always remember to drop, cover, and hold. Do not try to run outside, secure yourself in the place you are in.

• Drop

Get down on the floor on your hands and knees. This also puts you in a position to crawl out for shelter when needed. You can easily remember it as a crawl position.

• Cover

Cover your head and neck from your arms. Find a table nearby to be under to protect yourself from anything falling over you until the shaking stops. In case there is no table, go towards one of your interior walls, however, place yourself away from tall objects and furniture that can potentially collapse or fall over because of the tremours.

• Hold

Be at the safe spot until the shaking stops and safety is assured. If you’re under a table or any such shelter then keep hold of it with one hand. However, if you’re outside, cover your head and neck with your arms.

If you are on a wheelchair or walker and cannot get down to the floor, you can try different measures like locking the wheels,  covering your head and neck with your arms while bending over to protect your vital organs.

If you are outdoors, stay outside but move away from any buildings and power lines.

In case you are driving or riding any other vehicle, stop aside but be careful to not stop under an overpass or any such structure that can potentially collapse.

If you are in a coastal area and a strong earthquake strikes, try to get to higher ground as soon as possible as such earthquakes can lead to a tsunami also.

What to do after the earthquake ends?


Earthquakes can lead to a series of aftershocks that are small tremours felt afterward. As per Turkey's media reports, about 196 aftershocks were felt in the country with 23 even hitting over the magnitude of 4 following the major earthquake on Friday.

So when the tremour subsides, be prepared to handle more and do not immediately rush. First of all, check for any injuries and then check the gas and electric lines to turn them off safely. Do not switch on the gas on your own or try to light a match or any kind of fire until safety is confirmed.

In case the building you are in has suffered heavy damage, get yourself and others out as soon as possible. If you are trapped, do not panic - try to calm down. Cover your mouth, nose and eyes to protect them from any dust around, and then contact someone for help. For those who are outdoors, always be careful of any dangerous elements such as electrical wires dangling over and fragile structures.

Try to access any media source to know the latest update about the situation. Listen and follow very carefully the warnings and instructions given by officials and stay away from believing and sharing misinformation on social media - always check verified and official sources/accounts for facts.

Let your contacts know about your whereabouts and safety.

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