Earthquakes

1. Work out what things you might need if you are stuck at home with no power, communication or water.
2. Make an emergency plan so that everyone in your household knows what to do and where to go if an earthquake happens – remember, you might not be at home when it happens.
3. Make your home or workplace safer by making sure objects that could fall and hurt are either placed somewhere else or are fixed and fastened. Head to www.eqc.govt.nz to find out how to reduce the risk around your home.

• Drop, Cover and Hold. It stops you being knocked over, makes you a smaller target for falling and flying objects and protects your head, neck and vital organs.
• Do not run outside. You risk getting hit by falling masonry and glass.
• If you are in bed, stay there as you are less likely to be injured. Pull the blankets over you and use your pillow to protect your head.
• If you are outside, move only as far as you need to be away from buildings, trees, streetlights and power lines, then Drop, Cover and Hold.
• If you are driving, pull over to a clear location, stop and stay there with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Once the shaking stops, proceed with caution and avoid bridges or ramps as they may have been damaged.
• If you use a walker or wheelchair, Lock, Cover and Hold.  Lock your wheels (if applicable). If using a walker carefully get as low as possible. Bend over and Cover your head and neck as best you can. Then Hold on until the shaking stops.
• If you use a cane, Drop, Cover and Hold or sit on a chair or bed, etc, and cover your head and neck with both hands. Keep your cane near you so it can be used when the shaking stops.
• If the earthquake was longer than a minute or strong enough to make it difficult to stand, and you are near the coast, you should evacuate out of the red and orange tsunami evacuation zones in Canterbury.  If you don't know where the red and orange tsunami evacuation zones are, you should move to higher ground or inland as far as you can.

First things first

• Check yourself for injuries and get first aid if necessary. 
• Do not run outside. It is frightening to stay in a building immediately after an earthquake but it is much safer than immediately going outside. An earthquake is not like a fire. You do not have to evacuate a building straight away unless it is showing obvious signs of distress. 
• If available, put on long trousers, a long-sleeved top, sturdy shoes and heavy-duty gloves to protect yourself from injury by broken objects. 
• Expect aftershocks. Each time you feel one, Drop, Cover and Hold. Aftershocks can occur minutes, days, weeks, months and even years following an earthquake. 
• Check in on neighbours and people nearby who may need help.
  
  

Look for damage