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Even with today’s modern technologies, many natural disasters such as earthquakes still remain undetectable. Whether you’re outside or inside the comfort of your home, a simple misstep can prove to be life-threatening. Perhaps the anxiety is greater among condo-dwellers since condominium developments are typically high-rise. Fortunately, developers today are taking extra measures in the design of their buildings to withstand disasters such as these.
The National Building Code of the Philippines states that the National Structure Code of the Philippines has set tight guidelines for developers and building firms to follow to protect structures, such as condominiums, from natural disasters like earthquakes. The rigorous building code also establishes requirements for high-rise building development to prevent significant structural damage and safeguard households from earthquakes.
Still, complacency shouldn’t be the way to go. When it happens, the best course of action is still to be calm, as a clear presence of mind will help you get through the situation.
Preparing Your Condo for an Earthquake
Have an Emergency Kit
Every family member should create an emergency kit with water and food that can last three days, easy-to-make foods like noodles, bread, and canned goods, a first aid kit, and medications. Include your phone, power bank, charger, portable radio, flashlight, whistle, and batteries in your emergency kit as well. You should also add cash and other priceless objects like crucial papers, IDs, the deed or lease to your condo, and others.
Secure Your Condo From Heavy Objects
Heavy objects like bookcases, cabinets, wardrobes, mirrors, and other items could topple over during an earthquake. These falling objects must be securely fastened by anchoring them and adding bolts and locks in order to reduce head injuries, casualties, and structural damage.
Earthquake Plan
Due to the unpredictability of such disasters, it is crucial to have a preparedness strategy in place in case an earthquake occurs in your area. Make sure you locate and identify your condo’s escape and safe areas. You can highlight the safe areas and exits in your building using the floor plans that are typically located by the door of high-rise buildings and condos in Manila.
Discuss the potential outcomes and evacuation during an earthquake with your family or roommates. Decide in detail how and where you will all meet up if you become separated from one another. You must also include the emergency hotline numbers in your ready plan for occasions when help is needed.
If you find yourself inside your condo when an earthquake strikes, follow these dos and don’t to ensure your safety:
Do’s
Stay under a sturdy table
Following the “drop, cover, and hold on” formula, first, you must immediately drop down on your arms and knees. Next, reach for the sturdiest table in your condo unit and seek cover. Lastly, hold on to the furniture to stay planted in your position. Try to relax as you wait it out.
Count to 60—loudly
When you feel the shaking has already stopped, count aloud to 60 to help you monitor immediate aftershocks. Counting loudly will also signal people nearby people of your presence. Aftershocks often follow seconds after the first quake. Of course, this depends on the magnitude, with small and medium ones lasting a few seconds while larger ones continuing on for several minutes.
Go to an Interior Wall
When you don’t have a sturdy table to seek immediate cover under, an interior wall is your next best option, and perhaps one of the most important safety tips for those living in a condo. Cover your head and neck with your arms.
Grab the First Aid Kit
If you or anyone with you in the condo unit is injured, quickly get the first-aid kit during the interval between quakes if its within reach. Be fast but don’t make a run for it. Attend to the injury immediately but don’t move yourself or anyone seriously injured unless there’s an immediate danger. Do these things until the shaking stops.
Stay Inside
The importance of staying inside your condo unit cannot be emphasized enough. It’s going to protect you from falling debris and the sheer amount of panicking people outside. Modern condo developments are now designed to withstand shocks and seismic motions so they are definitely safer to be in.
Stay Away From Danger Zones
Because they are the first to break, stay away from windows, as well as facades, hanging objects and mirrors.
Reach for the Flashlight and Earthquake Preparedness Kit
Electricity will likely be disrupted in situations like this that’s why flashlights will be really important. Make sure you have a flashlight somewhere within reach or can easily be accessed inside your condo. Better yet, have one in every section, i.e. bathroom, bedroom, living room, and kitchen.
This is also the best time to bring out your Earthquake Kit on top of your First-Aid Kit if you happen to have one ready. If not, it should include the basics:
- Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
- Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home).
- Flashlight
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Extra batteries
- Deluxe family first aid kit
- Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
- Multi-purpose tool
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items
- Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
- Cell phone with chargers
- Family and emergency contact information
- Extra cash
- Emergency blanket
- Map(s) of the area
- Whistle
- Pen and paper
Stay Alert
Remaining calm is half the battle; the other is keeping alert. If you can still use your phone, text and call a friend or family that is near the area. Tell them where you are and immediately stay off your phone to conserve its battery.
Don’ts
Don’t Rush to Go Out
Trying to follow the current of people scrambling to rush outside may cause injuries due to chaos and falling objects. Only step outside as soon as the shaking has ceased.
Don’t Go Under a Doorway
Doorways cannot withstand earthquakes as effectively as a table or a bed. On top of that, standing near one put you at risk of getting trampled.
Don’t Use and Touch Power Lines
Electrical currents are highly volatile in these scenarios. Expect the power to go out and leave it be.
Don’t Hide in the Kitchen
The kitchen stores various items that are dangerous when they drop, like plates, knives, and glass. Second, you will be near the stove and other electrical appliances that might catch fire. Lastly, larger appliances like the refrigerator might topple and knock you out.
Don’t Get Out of Bed
When shaking starts while you’re asleep or on your bed, it’s best to stay in that position. Use your pillow to protect your head and only leave when there is a ceiling fixture that might fall.
Don’t Ride the Elevator
Again, there is a big possibility of electrical power being compromised. Taking the elevator might get you trapped inside. Use the stairs instead.
Don’t Use Matches, Candles, or Any Flame
In case of damaged gas lines and gas leaks, don’t start a fire immediately after an earthquake.
Don’t Shout for Help
Instead of shouting, which can make you inhale dangerous amounts of dust, a better option to attract the attention of rescuers is to use a whistle.
Don’t Do the “triangle of life”
Despite its popularity among survival guides and trainings, no actual real-life application has proven the effectivity of this technique so it’s not reliable to do.
With stricter building codes, smarter designs, and lessons from previous disasters, many developers are now putting extra effort to make modern condos earthquake-resistant. Still, it can only do so much when the real thing occurs so knowing the proper steps to undertake will lead you to survival, including ample preparations beforehand.
Sources: SFGate, Zillow
Read our previous journal for more real estate tips and advice.
