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If someone needs immediate help with earthquake prep, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Prepare your home and family for earthquakes — secure furniture, know drop-cover-hold, and plan for aftershocks.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Bolt heavy items. Know safe tables. Shoes and torch by bed. Practice drop-cover-hold.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tall unsecured furniture stands near beds or sofas where people sit for hours.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Family has never practiced what to do when ground shakes.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NDMA classifies much of India as seismic zones. Most injuries come from falling objects indoors, not building collapse.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — FEMA and Red Cross: securing furniture and practicing drop-cover-hold prevent most home earthquake injuries.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Walk each room — locate sturdy desk or table away from windows.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Move heavy objects from high shelves to lower levels.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Install wall straps on water heater and modular kitchen units if possible.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Place fire extinguisher and first aid where easy to reach after quake.
When and how to get professional help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Prepare home and practice. During shaking — drop, cover, hold. Do not run outside.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 after shaking if someone trapped, bleeding, or gas smell present.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Use NDMA earthquake app alerts where available in your state.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Anyone hit by falling furniture or trapped in rubble needs emergency rescue.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT stand in doorways — modern doors swing and injure. Drop, cover, hold under table.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT run downstairs during shaking — falls and falling debris cause injuries.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Earthquakes only happen in Himalayan states
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NDMA maps show seismic risk across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Northeast, and other regions. All homes benefit from basic prep.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — No plan when rare but damaging quake hits low-risk city.
What you can do before an emergency happens.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — NDMA recommends earthquake drills in schools and homes — schedule twice yearly.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Check building society seismic guidelines for high-rise residents.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Disability prep
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Plan for wheelchair users, blind, deaf, and neurodiverse family members so emergencies do not cut access to mobility, communication, or medicine.
Elderly prep
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Help elderly family members prepare for emergencies when mobility, memory, or chronic illness makes evacuation harder.
Heat prep
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Prepare for extreme heat — stay hydrated, keep home cool, and protect elderly, children, and outdoor workers.
Flood prep
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Prepare before monsoon or river flood season — know evacuation routes, protect documents, and never underestimate moving water.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Gas smell — evacuate, do not use switches, call gas emergency line from outside.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Run outside as fast as possible when earthquake starts
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Drop, cover, and hold on until shaking stops. Running causes falls and head injuries from falling glass.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Injury on stairs or from facade debris while exiting during shake.