How to prevent a major earthquake in Japan

Earthquakes occur throughout the year in Japan, and it can be scary every time your phone gets an alert that a quake might be heading your way. While it’s impossible to predict the next big earthquake, you can relieve some of your anxiety by being prepared. Here are some important tips on what to do before an earthquake and what to watch out for during one, so you and your loved ones can stay safe from Japan’s biggest natural disasters.

Protect your furniture

Securing furniture is simple and can be done in under an hour of manual labor, but it can prevent you from getting hurt or worse while protecting your valuables. Secure any furniture (especially anything heavy or fragile) by fastening it to the wall, floor or ceiling. Tension rods are probably the simplest option, do not require a drill, and can be found at IKEAYou can also Amazonwebsite.

Make a plan and be informed

This includes knowing your evacuation route, and knowing the nearest evacuation location. The latter will most likely be your nearest school or park. You will also need to chat with your family and choose a plan and meeting place in case of an emergency, as phone lines may be unreliable. If you are in a tsunami risk area, you will need to move to higher ground.

Prepare an emergency kit

You need to prepare an emergency kit and keep it in your home. Make sure it contains a first aid kit, a flashlight, a portable radio, some batteries, a blanket, copies of important documents, and cash. You will also need to prepare some water and non-perishable food. The recommended amount of water and food is at least three days, based on one gallon of water per person per day.

Drop, Cover, and Hold On

If a major earthquake strikes, the first thing you need to protect is your head. Get down low and try to find a table or chair to hide under, preferably one that is unlikely to move. Hold on to something and don’t try to leave until you get the all-clear. Most earthquakes last for a few hours. No more than 10 secondsBut a large earthquake might shake for several minutes.

The same rules apply when riding public transportation – keep your head down, stay away from windows, hold on to your fellow passengers and follow the conductor’s instructions.

If you are outdoors or nearby and don’t have anything to cover you, try to place something close to you, such as a backpack or jacket, over your head. Stay away from concrete block structures and be alert for falling objects, including bricks, roof tiles, glass, and signs.

Stay informed and connected

One of the scariest things about a natural disaster is not being able to rely on your mobile device. Normal calling and texting functions may be disrupted, so try to contact loved ones through different texting apps. Social Media The X website (then called Twitter) was the main way people stayed up to date during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. If you can get a signal, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will keep it Disaster Prevention Home Page updated with the latest evacuation information. It also prepared Comprehensive Guide.

There are also a variety of useful earthquake safety apps. The Japan Tourism Agency created the Safety Tips app, which offers multi-language support and alerts users when a magnitude 4 or higher earthquake or tsunami alert occurs, and displays evacuation tips. The NERV app displays real-time shaking throughout Japan, along with estimates of earthquake propagation in affected areas. If you can read some Japanese, the Yurekuru Call app is a popular one; with customizable notifications, the app can alert you seconds before an earthquake strikes to save lives.

As scary as it is, communities come together in times of need. Take care of yourself, your family, and your neighbors to get through this together.

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