Earthquake Preparedness

First and foremost, always remember to mark yourself safe through social media and inform your site director that you are SAFE

Italy and quakes 101

The Italian territory is exposed to seismic risk, thus being prepared for an earthquake is fundamental.

Safety depends mainly on the building where you live. If it is an anti-seismic building, it won't be subject to major damages and will protect you. Wherever you are in the moment of an earthquake, it is very important to keep calm and follow some simple rules of behavior.

Keep in mind that some of the fundamental rules might be different here than in your home country because of different structural components of buildings and different rescue methods.

Over the past thousand years, some 3,000 earthquakes have provoked serious and less serious damages. Almost 300 of them (with a magnitude higher than 5,5) had destructive effects and one every ten years has catastrophic effects, with an energy comparable to the L’Aquila earthquake of 2009. Any Italian municipality can be affected by earthquake effects, despite the strongest earthquakes are focused in the following areas: Northern-Eastern Italy (Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto), Western Liguria, Northern Apennines (from Garfagnana to the Rimini area), and, above all, across the Central and Southern Apennines, in Calabria and Eastern Sicily. You too live in a dangerous area, where earthquakes occurred or where their effects were perceived. And it might happen again in the future.

When will the next earthquake occur?

Nobody knows, as it might occur anytime. We know a lot of things about earthquakes, but it is not yet possible to predict when, with which strength and precisely where they will occur. We know, though, which are the most dangerous areas and we know what to expect from an earthquake: being prepared is the best thing towards prevention and reduction of the earthquake consequences.

How can we better prepare our apartments in the event of an earthquake?

• Put heavy items on lower shelves; on the higher ones, you can hold objects with double-sided tape.
• In the kitchen, secure the cupboard flaps where plates and glasses are contained, so that they do not open during the shock.
• Learn where are and how to close the taps of gas and water and the master switch of the light.
• Pinpoint safe places in the house, where you can find a shelter in case of an earthquake: doorways, angles of the walls, under the table or under the bed.
• Keep at home a first aid kit, a flashlight, a battery-powered radio and make sure everyone knows where they are.
• Get informed if there is a Civil Protection Plan of your Municipality and what it provides for; should it not be available, ask for it, in order to know how to behave in case of emergency.
• Finally, delete any factor that, in case of an earthquake, can be a danger to you or your family.

What to do during and after the earthquake during an earthquake

If you are indoors

• Find a shelter under a beam, in the doorway or by a load-bearing wall.
• Watch out for things that could fall and hit you (plaster, ceilings, windows, furniture, etc.).
• Pay attention to the stairs: in general they are not very resistant and can be damaged.
• Avoid taking the lift: it can get stuck.

If you are outdoors

• Move away from buildings, trees, lampposts, power lines: you could be struck by vases, tiles and other materials that can fall.
• Pay attention to other possible consequences of the earthquake: collapse of bridges, landslides, gas leaks, etc.

After an earthquake

• Make sure the state of health of the people around you and, if necessary, be the First Aider.
• Come out with caution, wearing shoes: you may get hurt in the streets with broken glass.
• If you are in a zone exposed to tsunami risk, move away from the beach and reach a higher place.
• Limit, as much as possible, the use of the phone.
• Limit the use of the car to avoid obstructing the passage of emergency vehicles.
• Reach the waiting areas provided by the Civil Protection Plan of your Municipality.