There are no countries with more earthquakes than in Japan. Because the earthquake happens everywhere throughout the year, the Japanese are accustomed to the earthquake. Immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred on March 11, 2011, many comments told the surprises and impressions from foreigners to the Japanese who acted calmly.

However what about foreigners living in Japan? I feel that the understanding of foreigners about the earthquake has not overtaken yet.

Therefore, this time I will explain in detail about 10 preparedness against earthquakes.

 

1.   Measures to prevent falling and movement of furniture

 

In the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and the Niigata Prefecture Chuetsu Earthquake (Two big earthquakes that occurred in Japan 10~20 years ago), many people died or got injured with furniture underlay. When large earthquakes occurs, it is necessary to take measures to prevent falls, thinking that “furniture definitely will fall down”. To prevent furniture from falling over, they must be fixed to the wall. Avoid placing furniture as much as possible in your bedroom or children’s room. When putting them, make it as small as possible and try to devise the direction and arrangement of the furniture so as not to block the entrance of the room when falling.

I will show you how to fix furniture.

1.  Closet

Secure the floor side with a stopper or the like, and fix the ceiling side with a rod.

2.  Cupboard

Secure it to the wall with an L-shaped metal fitting or wire, and attach a clasp to the hinged door so that it does not open.

3.  Book cabinet

Secure it to the wall with L-shaped metal fittings and wires, and make sure the heavy books are stored in the lower stage.

4.  TV

Stick adhesive mat to prevent falling, and fix the back side of the equipment to the wall and TV board with wire or the like.

5.  Refrigerator

Fix the back side to the wall with a wire or the like.

 

2.   Measures to prevent injuries

 

To prevent broken glass from scattering, take measures to prevent scattering on cupboards and window glasses. In preparation for a power outage, keep the flashlight in a place that you can use immediately. Prepare slippers or sneakers close at hand so as not to get injured with scattered materials.

 

3.   Check the strength of houses and fences

 

Get seismic diagnosis of houses and make necessary reinforcement. Blocks and concrete walls should be reinforced so that they will not collapse.

 

4.   Prepare for fire extinguishing

 

In preparation for the occurrence of a fire, prepare a fire extinguisher and keep the bath water.

 

5.   Early detection and prevention measures against fire

 

For the early detection of fire, a fire alarm for house should be installed. For electrical appliances that you do not normally use, unplug the plug from the outlet. To prevent fire caused by electricity and gas, disaster prevention equipment such as earthquake breaker, seismic outlet, etc. should be installed.

 

6.   Prepare emergency supplies

 

It is necessary to stockpile drinking water and emergency foods from usual times in preparation for the case where lifelines such as electricity, gas and water stops. Instead of preparing special things for disaster prevention, prepare food that you eat everyday. Here are examples of stockpiles such as food, beverages and daily necessaries. It is necessary for the number of family members.

・3 days of drinking water (3 liters per person per day)

・Emergency food: As food for three days, rice (such as alpha rice), biscuits, plate

chocolate, dried bread, etc.

・Toilet paper, tissue paper, Matches, candle, portable gas stove etc.

It is pointed out that stockpiling of 1 week or more is preferable for the Nankai Trough massive earthquake (an earthquake that is said to happen before long) which may cause enormous damage to a very wide area.

Apart from drinking water, daily living water such as toilet water is necessary. Prepare a poly tank containing tap water, prepare for keeping the bath water always, regularly.

Here is an example of the contents of emergency backpack kit. It is also necessary for the number of family members.

・Drinking water

・Food items (cup noodles, canned products, biscuits, chocolate, etc.)

・Valuables (deposit passbook, seal, cash, health insurance card, etc.)

・First aid items (bandages, bandages, disinfectants, medicines etc.)

・Helmet, disaster hood, mask, work gloves, flashlight, clothing, underwear, blanket, towel, mobile radio, backup battery, mobile recharger, pocket warmer, towelette, toilet articles, mobile toilet, portable latrine

For families with infants, prepare milk, disposable diapers, and milk bottles.

 

7.   Discussion among family members / How to contact during a disaster

 

Even when a disaster occurs while you are in different places, it is important to discuss in advance the way to confirm your safety and the meeting place in advance so that you can check each other’s safety.

In the event of a disaster, the line of the mobile phone becomes hard to connect, and there are cases where it cannot contact. In that case, use disaster message dialing service. You can record a message by calling “171” without area code, and a family member who knows your phone number can play the message.

 

8.   Confirm evacuation location and evacuation route

 

In order to evacuate without a disaster at the time of a disaster, you should also obtain a disaster prevention map and a hazard map (disaster prediction diagram) from the home page of your local municipality and confirm the evacuation location and evacuation route in advance.

 

9.   How to Collect Information on Disasters

 

Immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake, social network service (SNS) was widely used as a means of information transmission as communication infrastructure and others suffered great damage. Here, I will introduce the government’s official Twitter account that will be useful in the event of a disaster.

・  Prime Minister’s Office (Disaster / Crisis Management Information)

@Kantei_Saigai

・Fire and Disaster Management Agency

@FDMA_JAPAN

・  Ministry of Defense

@bouei_saigai

・  Cabinet Office disaster prevention

@CAO_BOUSAI

Please follow them on Twitter. Also, if you cannot call or the Internet is too slow, you can also collect information by watching TV broadcasting with smartphone or one-segment function of mobile phone.

 

10. Increase disaster prevention behavior

 

From day to day, participate in disaster drills and acquire physical protection, fire prevention, initial extinguishment, rescue, emergency relief, reporting contact, evacuation procedure and so on.

For many foreigners, I think the earthquake is a new kind of natural disaster and is very terrible. However, if there is sufficient preparedness from everyday, you can act calmly in an emergency without panic.

 

 

 

---

By Yukadon

社内翻訳、通訳経験後、2年前に独立。現在は、特許翻訳、法廷通訳者の傍ら、Webライターとしても活動中。

---

Read other blogs: https://talenthub.jp/blog/?lang=en