46 -— Wednesday, September 2, 1992 - North Shore News

Handy advice to follow
in case of an earthquake

IN VIEW of the recent
tremots in California,
many Canadians might be
interested to know how they
can be prepared should an
earthquake _ strike.
some good advice on whai
to do frem Emergency
Preparedness Canada.

BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE
@ Move or secure objects that
could fall on you, such as books,
plants or picces of china. Heavy
objects such as top-heavy fur-
niture should be secured.

@ Remove or isolate flammabie
materials.
@ Make sure that you and other
family members know how and
where to turn off your utilities.
@ Always have handy a battery-
powered radio, flashlight and
Spare .batteries for both.
Kemember, the radio may be your
only source of information fol-
lowing an earthaiake.
@ Always keep on hand. an
emergency survival kit containing
food, .sleeping bags, medication,
first-aid ‘supplies and bottled water.
Rotate“ food and. water to ensure
freshness. ;
@, Plan ahead and hold oécasional
- home earthquake drills to’ ensure
your. family knows. what to do. If
you ‘live in a highrise, have an
. evacuation plan for your building
and-. make arrangements for
. Teuniting family -members should
‘you -be_in different ‘locations when
an ‘earthquake strikes.
@.: Check with. your . children’s
school to*make sure the school
n” | earthquake .. emergency
plan. Do ‘the ‘same. for your. place
‘of work;.church, and so on. ..-

@. Mak sure you know the loca-...
fi Te

emergency exits,:

heavy “Objects:

irrors ‘or paintings in

vhere they could ‘fall ‘on:

e tay way from windows. .
‘If: inside, ‘stay there.

do not*use the elevator ‘during or
‘after the earthquake as the power
may fail and you'll be trapped.)
.@ Ifyou are unable to get under
‘apiece of furniture, flatten
yourself against a wall in the inte-
rior-of your home and protect
your head as best you can.
e@ If outside, stay there and try
‘and. take cover from falling
debris. ‘ Protect your head and
‘face. (If you’re in a car, stop and
“-semain “in. it until the ‘shaking
‘stops. -Avoid, if ‘possible; stopping
‘bear.trees, power lines and on o7
under overpasses.)
. ‘AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE
. .Don’t .use the. telephone.
_- Emergency - crews~ will .: “need all
-available lines. :
:@ Be prepared for aftershocks. |
-@ Stay away from ocean-front
areas. An earthquake may cause a
tsunami’ (sea wave).
.@° Wear sturdy: shoes. Wear
“gloves and protective clothing if.
working in debris... - i
.@ Check .for injuries. “<minister
fi rst aid,
-@ If you suspect thers is d:image
to your electrical .system’ (frayed
wires, sparks or the smell of hot
insulation), turn off your electrical

system at the main circuit breaker |

or fuse box.
“@ If you ise natural gas in your
home, check for teaks. If any are

Here’s ©

‘Take
“under.a. heavy table, desk or .

“a ‘bed and hold on :to:it.- Protect -

your: head and face. (In a highrisé, ©

found, turnoff the main gas valve.
DO NOT turn lights on or off or
light matches or do anything that
makes a spark. Carefully leave the
house: DO NOT turn off the gas
unless an emergency exists. Hf you
do turn it off, BO NOT turn it
back on until the gas company has
checked it out.

@ Turn on battery-powered radio
(or car radio) and listen for
emergency instructions.

@ Check your house for structu-
ral damage. Evacuate if neces-
sary.

®@ Confine frightened pets.

@ Clear up any hazardous mate:

“rial that might have spilled.

@ Be prepared to evacuate. If you
must evacuate, post a message in
plain. view indicating where you
can be found. Take essential sup-
plies with’you such as:

- a first-aid kit, flashlight, radio
and spare batteries

- important papers and cash

- food

- sleeping bags/blanket, and.extra
clothes

- toiletries and personal items

- baby. supplies, if necessary.

NEWS phote Neil Lucente

NORTH SHORE teens gathered at Watestront Park recently to express themselves on a. can as

graffiti wali, as weil as being entertained by local bands and informed about drug awarencss.

‘Bungee j jumps an

‘Super slides

ell

matter what your age, we'll

bring out the kid in you!

For show times and informa:
tion on these and other events, — :

please call 253-2241. .-