EARTHQUAKES, DO'S AND DON'TS

AN EARTHQUAKE PROVES TO THE WORLD THAT, ONE DAY, THEIR WEALTH AND HIGH RISE BUILDINGS, THEIR MATERIAL PROSPERITY, BEGINS TO THREATEN THEM NO END, AND THEY WONDER WHAT THEY HAD BEEN LIVING FOR, WHY THEY HAD BEEN EXPANDING THEIR WEALTH AND WHY THEY HAD BEEN EXPANDING THEIR FAMILIES, IF EVERYTHING WERE GOING TO PERISH INTO DUST ONE TERRIBLE DAY.

AT SUCH TIMES THEY FEEL THAT THE SAFEST PLACE TO LIVE IN WOULD HAVE BEEN A STRAW HUT -- WHICH THOUGH DIFFICULT TO LIVE IN, WOULD NOT HARM THEM IF IT COLLAPSED ON THEM IN AN EARTHQUAKE.

SCIENCE WITH ALL ITS INGENUITY HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO INVENT ANYTHING THAT CAN STOP AN EARTHQUAKE AND PROBABLY NEVER WILL.
THE EARTHQUAKE IN NEPAL HAD THE ENERGY OF 504 ATOMIC BOMBS EXPLODING TOGETHER.

Here is what the "experts" are saying these days on TV about what to do and what not to do in earthquakes.

1.An earthquake by itself poses little danger apart from the tremors and jerks. The real danger is from the collapse of the buildings upon the people inside and outside in narrow streets.

2. There is little chance that a huge hole or crevice will open up on solid ground or in a field or a park.

3. So the thing to do is to get out of the house as quickly as possible,and get out into an open park or open ground not surrounded all around by houses.

4. But while inside the house, if you find there is little chance of getting outside because the jerk is too big and has made the house fall, == then the thing to do is to get into a corner of the room. The corners of rooms have less of a chance of falling roofs.

5. The other thing is to get under a bed, or a table which will cushion the shock of the falling rocks from the ceiling.

6. Another thing is to keep a pillow over your head.

7. If you are living in a multi-storeyed building then DONT take the elevator to get down to the ground floor-- because when the building is shaking the elevator which is already in a narrow space will get stuck, and you will be stuck inside the elevator while the building collapses, elevator and all.

8. The experts say you must take the staircase. This will be difficult and will mean climbing down many, many steps. It will be very difficult for the sick and the elderly and those with a lot of fat on them.

9. Once you are outside, dont stop and stand to look at the falling building, just run from the spot until you find a safe open space.

10. Remember to take water with you if you have the time.