HOME> Earthquakes Try to stay calm and protect yourself: (1) Hide underneath a desk or table When you feel an earthquake, get yourself under a sturdy desk or table. If there are cushions etc. around you, use them to protect your head. (2) Secure an emergency exit. When you feel an earthquake, open the door to secure an exit. (3) Avoid rushing out of your house. The initial strong movements of an earthquake last only for one minute or so. Carefully check the situation around you, avoid rushing out of your house and try to act calmly. Stay calm and make sure to prevent fires: (1) Turn off gas and oil heaters etc. the moment you feel an earthquake. Turn off in-use gas appliances, heaters etc. immediately. Turn off the gas mains and unplug electrical appliances. Once the earthquake has stopped and before evacuating, turn off the electrical breakers. (An earthquake can cause electric appliances to fall, touch flammable materials, and cause a fire.) (2) If a fire breaks out, put it out quickly. If a fire break out, put it out before it become serious using fire-fighting tools such as fire extinguishers and triangular buckets. Try to control the fire at the initial stage by shouting out to neighbors and helping each other. Stay away from small alleys, walls, cliffs, and riverbanks: Keep away from small alleys and walls to avoid falling roof tiles, bricks, and concrete walls. Keep away from cliffs and riverbanks to avoid possible landslides that might occur. How to evacuate: (1) Evacuate on foot and carry only what you need. Make sure to evacuate on foot rather than by car. Dress casually, suitable for an evacuation. Carry only what you need on your back. (2) Watch out for tsunami. When you feel a strong tremor (earthquakes of Shindo Level 4 and stronger) or weak, slow quakes over a long time, immediately get away from the seashore and evacuate to higher ground or another safe place. Listen for tsunami warnings on the radio. (3) Watch out for landslides. On mountainsides or steep areas vulnerable to landslides, make the decision on your own and immediately seek refuge in a safe place.