6 things NOT to do after an earthquake in Japan
According to the Japanese government, there’s a 70% chance of a major earthquake directly hitting Tokyo in the next 30 years.
In the spirit of National Disaster Prevention Day (1st September), I thought I’d share some tips that may come in handy the next time there’s a tremor.
Some of these points may seem obvious, but remember that after a major quake, it may not be easy to think and act rationally. Having interviewed dozens of survivors of major disasters, I’ve heard many accounts of people becoming confused, panicking, and making irrational decisions.
Try to keep these points below in mind, and prepare as best you can for you and your loved ones at home! See my article “Prepare Your Emergency Bag in Japan” for other practical advice.
1. Don’t use a car to evacuate
As a rule of thumb, evacuate on foot. Remember that roads may be jammed, impassable, or damaged, and traffic lights may not be working. Large numbers of people evacuating in cars could bring traffic to a standstill, and exacerbate the situation.
2. Don’t walk around your home barefoot or in socks.
If a quake happens at 3am, you may be disoriented. One of the most common post-earthquake injuries is cuts to feet. Remember that glass from furniture, kitchenware, and windows may be scattered all over the floor. To avoid these injuries, prepare a pair of shoes by your bed, and keep a torch (flashlight) accessible at all times.
3. Don’t flick light switches.
In the worst case scenario, this could spark a fire or an explosion. As above, prepare a torch (flashlight) near your bed and in other key places to make sure you can see without electricity.
4. Don’t use elevators (lifts).
Stay away from elevators, as there‘’s the possibility of getting stuck in the event of an aftershock, power outage, etc. Even if you live on the 30th floor, be prepared to use the stairs…
5. Don’t use matches, lighters, etc.
Whether it is to stay warm, to improve visibility, or to have a cigarette, do not use matches or a lighter after a major earthquake unless you are absolutely certain that there is no gas leakage. Try to maintain a good ventilation flow in your home.
6. Don’t reset your circuit breaker prematurely.
According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, attempting to restore electricity to your house prematurely could start a fire or explosion. If you are heading to the evacuation center, remember to turn off the electricity breaker before evacuating, to avoid fires once the electricity is restored.
*These 6 points are in line with advice from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. See their website here for more information.
To read more about disasters in Japan, see “Preparing your Emergency Bag in Japan”, “Preparing Your Home For Disasters: Emergency Stockpiling”, or “Japan, Catfish, and the Need for Disaster Preparedness”. You can also see the Explore Tohoku project. In July 2017, I set off on a 600km walk along Japan’s tsunami-affected coastline. The project aims to document the region’s recovery, 6 years on from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, and support local communities by promoting tourism to the area.
