DISASTER

MAAM PANTUA

DISASTER - a sudden catastrophic event that affects many people. - it disrupts patterns of lives with the possibility of loss of lives & properties. 2 TYPES OF DISASTER 1. NATURAL PHENOMENA - due to violence of nature. ex.Tornados, hurricane, earthquake, epidemics. 2. MAN-MADE PHENOMENA - brought about by human errors.

ex. Fires, explosions, accidents, chaos & technology like nuclear power incident. EARTHQUAKES - a naturally induced shaking of the ground caused by fracture & sliding of rocks within the earths crust, volcanic eruption, or change in temperature. - could lead further to tidal waves, movements of the ground, separation of lands, collapse of buildings, landslides & fires.

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SEVERITY OF EARTHQUAKE IS EXPRESSED IN 3 WAYS: MAGNITUDE RICHTER SCALE used to measure the magnitude. a. 8 or up great (tremendous damage) b. 7-7.9 major (widespread damage) c. 6-6.9 large (severe damage) d. 5-5.9 considerable (moderate damage) e. 4-4.9 minor damage f. 3-3.9 generally felt g. 2-2.9 perceptible h. Below 2 - microearthquake

2. INTENSITY ROSSI-FOREL SCALE used to determine intensity. I. Hardly Perceptible Shock: - felt only by an experienced observer under favorable conditions. II. Feeble Shock: - felt generally indoors & outdoors by a few. III. Extremely Feeble Shock: - felt by a small # of people at rest. IV.Very Feeble Shock: - felt by several people at rest.

V. Shock of Moderate Intensity: - felt generally by everyone VI. Fairly Strong Shock: - general awakening of those asleep. VII. Strong Shock: - overturn of movable objects with slight damages in well-built houses, accompanied by landslides. VIII.Very Strong Shock: - trees are shaken strongly & there is a change in the flow of springs & wells causing trepidation among inhabitants.

IX. Extremely Strong Shock: - panic in general, partial or total destruction of some buildings. X. Extreme Magnitude: - there is a great disaster, ruins & disturbances of strata, fissures on the ground, & rocks falling from mountains. 3. DAMAGE OR LOSS OF LIFE & PROPERTY

Things to Do to Avoid/ Reduce Damage/ Injury During an Earthquake. 1. Planning a. Check the soundness of the structures in the places where you frequently stay. b. Note all exits & do not block them. 2. Prepare the place of residence for an event. a. Strap all heavy furniture & cabinets to restrict sliding. b. Store & secure breakable items, harmful chemicals & flammable materials in safe places. 3. Familiarize yourself with your place of work.

a. Master the routes that would lead you out of the building. b. Mark places where fire extinguishers, first aid kits, alarms & communication facilities are located. 4. Keep all heavy materials in the lower places. 5. Secure all hanging objects that may fall. Things to Do During an Earthquake: IF YOU ARE INDOORS: - stay indoors. - get under a desk or a table & hang on to it.

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- stay clear of windows, fire places, heavy furniture or appliances. - do not run downstairs or rush outside while the building is shaking. 2. IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE: - stay away from buildings, power lines, & anything else that might fall on you. 3. IF YOU ARE DRIVING: - stop driving. - move your car as far out of traffic as possible. - do not stop under a bridge or overpass, under the trees, lightposts powerlines, or signage.

- just stay inside your car until the shaking stops. 4. IF YOU ARE IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA: - watch out for falling rocks, landslides, trees & other debris. 5. DO NOT PANIC - expect after shocks, calm others & direct them away from falling materials. Things to Do After an Earthquake: 1. Wear sturdy shoes to avoid injury from broken glasses & debris. Expect aftershocks.

2. Check for injuries: - if a person is bleeding * put direct pressure on the wound by using a clean gauze or clothes. - if a person is not breathing * CPR - do not attempt to move a seriously injured person unless he/she is in further danger of injury. - cover an injured person with blanket to keep warm & seek medical help. 3. Check for fires: - put out fire in your home or neighborhood immediately.

Call out for help. - if you suspect a gas leak because of broken pipes or odor shut off the main gas valve immediately. - shut off electrical power at the control box. - do not touch downed power lines or any object in contact with them. - clean up any spilled medicines, or any other harmful materials. - beware of items falling from shelves when you open doors, closets, & cupboards. 4. Check your food & water supplies:

- do not eat or drink anything from an open containers near shattered glasses. - if power is cut off, prepare meals that are easy to prepare & which do not spoiled easily. - do not light your gas stove if you suspect a gas leak. - use barbecue or camp stove outdoors for emergency cooking only. - if your water supply is cut off, drink water from a water heater, melted ice cubes. 5. For those sleeping outdoors, keep yourself

warm to avoid respiratory infections. 6. For those camping out, dispose of waste properly. 7. Maintain a clean supply of drinking water, boil water to purify it.

FLOODS - a result of a brief, torrential rains generally confined to limited areas like coastal areas during high tide. - result from continuous heavy rains extending over a period of days causing

river banks to overflow. - some are caused by mans destruction of forest and vegetation.

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How to be Prepared for a Disaster: Know where your familys first-aid kit is kept. Have a flashlight & a supply of unused batteries on hand. Keep a battery-powered radio for emergency news/listening purposes. Store a 2 week supply of bottled waters. Maintain a supply of precooked canned foods. Find out how to turn off the main switches to

the gas, electricity & water in your home. 7. Be sure your vehicles gas tank is kept at least half full at all times. COPING WITH DISASTER: Maintain presence of mind & have a calm disposition. Be quick in surveying the disaster. Determine its nature, intensity & duration. Take stock of useful materials within your fingertips. Be alert for any immediate danger.

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POISONING - any chemical substances that causes illness, injury or death. Enters the Body by: * ingestion * inhalation * injection * contact with the skin Preventing Poison: 1. Keep all drugs, medicines, household cleaners, & other chemicals out of childrens reach.

2. Never use food containers as storage for poisonous substances. 3. Discard old medicines. 4. Keep cosmetics away from children. 5. Do not use toxic paints on toys or childrens furnitures. 6. Never store poisonous substances without proper labels. 7. Avoid growing poisonous plants in your garden. 8. Use gloves & other coverings when using strong chemicals. 9. Read manuals or instructions before eating,

drinking, or using any substances. DROWNING Causes: * young children can be drowned in a five gallon full of liquid or in a toilet bowl. * boating * playing with water * swimming (cramps, alcohol/drugs) * falling into water * taking a bath

* recreation in large bodies of water, rivers & streams. CHOKING & SUFFOCATION - due to food or object obstruction in the throat. - also due to long cords, draperies, or blinds, bulky beddings.

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Lightning Precautions: Monitor weather forecasts during thunderstorm. Remind employees that lightning is present in all thunderstorms. Lightning often precedes rain, & can strike as far as 10 miles away from the rain.

3. Seek shelter immediately when thunder is heard. Avoid getting near tall trees & posts; harmful objects such as tools, fences & umbrellas. 4. Remaining inside a vehicle is safe because rubber tires are nonconductive. 5. When indoors, shut off appliances & electronic devices, & avoid using the telephone. 6. Inspect the grounding electrode system for loose or corroded connections which can increase the impedance of a lightning dissipation path.

7. Provide surge protection at the main service panel board to prevent line surges from passing though the equipment.

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Common Protective Gears: Safety glasses Earplugs or ear muffs Face mask Heat or radiation protection suit Boots Gloves Helmets or hard hats