Earthquake Preparedness in Vancouver: Tips for Survival

Vancouver is no stranger to earthquakes, and most of us feel small ones regularly. There have been some big earthquakes, here, in recorded history, such as January of 1700 and June of 1946, and there is always the possibility that a large one could happen again. In today’s blog we are going to give you some general safety tips for survival during a bad earthquake.

Tip #1

In general, the first rule of thumb is stop what you are doing, get down on the ground, and hold on until it passes. If possible, cover yourself and loved ones with a blanket, in case of falling debris.

Tip #2

If you are driving, pull over, stop, put on your emergency brake, and turn off your vehicle. Try to pull over in an open area and not close to buildings or power lines.

Tip #3

If you are outside, try to stay in an open area and not close to buildings or power lines. Just get down on the ground and brace yourself. Hold on if possible.

Tip #4

If you are worried about earthquakes, there are earthquake preparedness kits that you can buy that include food and water, which would have to be replenished or refurbished on a regular basis.

Stay calm. After a big earthquake, if you are inside a building, go outside, but use the stairs and not the elevator. If there are serious injuries, call 9-1-1.

If you are at home, check your house for damage. Take pictures, if possible, of damage. If you are at sea level, try to move to higher ground, as tsunamis can follow earthquakes.