What to do in an earthquake?

America's Berkeley uni in California along with Israel both countries in earthquake regions, have jointly developed this app which registers the tremors of an earthquake and gives you warning. You don't have long. Less than a minute. But that is enough time to duck for cover, such as under a table, or at least to get down on the floor to avoid being hit by flying objects.

One cause of delay is not being sure that it is an earthquake. I remember when I was in Zakynthos, the Greek island, when an earthquake hit our building. I was with a group of journalists from the UK. The tourist board of the island was welcoming us and we had, ironically, listened to a speech about the safety of the island. They meant safety from robbery. 

At that time I was unaware that Greece had been hit by earthquakes in the past. And that it was still susceptible. 

You could not fail to feel the earthquake. There was a huge bang, like a clap of thunder but louder. The whole building juddered as if it had been hit. I thought the lift had fallen to the bottom of the lift shaft. The water and alcohol in our drinking glasses continued shaking.

After a moment's silence, the Greeks all ran out. We Brits sat, puzzled, looking at each other.

"What was that?"

"What could it be?"

"A bomb?"

"An earthquake?"

"It must have been an earthquake."

"Where is everybody?" 

"No idea. They've all run out."

"They must be downstairs - or outside."

"If they have left, we ought to follow them."

"Come on. Let's go. Can't do anything sitting here. Let's go and find them."

"I'd rather sit here in comfort and finish my drink."

"Come on. They have left. They know something we don't know."

That was then. The following day we went to a museum and saw pictures of the devastation caused by the long-distant Great Zakynthos earthquake. 

Then the nearby Israelis had been forefront in sending a rescue mission. The museum is noted as the site of the grave of the poet Solomos who wrote the words of the Greek national anthem.

Since then, Zakynthos and Cefalonia and the Ionian islands, and other parts of Greece, have been hit by more earthquakes. 

Greek Tourist Attractions

But Greece is a favourite tourist attraction. The ancient Greek world is known for so many thinkers and philosophers, Socrates, Plato, and many more, and the foundation of democracy. 

Plus the later attractions of wine, food such as baklava, major buildings such as The Acropolis, Corfu and the Durrell brothers' books. Music and movies - such as Zorba the Greek. So Greece is major attraction in a trip around Europe. Therefore it is good to be prepared by knowing what to do in an emergency.

The video I saw this week (February 2022) shows the app developed by the Israelis and Americans and installed by Americans.

The noteworthy reminder was that it is important to take action to escape injury. Don't waste time, like we did years ago, in Greece, trying to work out what the problem is and whether it was an earthquake. If it isn't, no harm done by diving under a table. If it is, apparently quick action is vital, essential. Just assume you felt and heard an earthquake, especially if you know you are in an earthquake area. When you check into a hotel, or a home from home, or a new home in another country, note the nearest shelter in every room.  

What preventive measures can you take? Install the app. Fix bookshelves. Read up on what to do in an emergency. 

Why Fix Bookshelves?

Prevention is better than cure. One suggestion is to ensure that bookshelves are attached to walls. So those planks which balance on projected finger shape supports, or freestanding bookshelves, are a danger. 

Also heavy objects such as vases and statuettes balanced on high shelves. 

I have known for a long time that you need to attach bookshelves and chests of drawers to the wall if you have young children likely to climb on them. (As a landlord, one of my concerns was that people with children wanted to move into my deceased parents' property, which was not designed to be childproof.) 

To me it was a new idea that you should fix shelves to be sure that they didn't fall during an earthquake. The same applies to any other event which might shake or tilt the building.

If you are renting a property, you might be wary about damaging the landlord's walls. Just make sure to contact them and explain.

Flying Objects & Glass

A major source of injuries in flying objects, especially glass. Keep away from windows. 

If in bed, put a pillow over your head to protect it.

The Japanese keep an emergency suitcase by the door containing food and water, a first aid kit, a torch, and essential documents such as identity cards or copies and insurance documents, and phone numbers. A change of clothes, mask and cap, spare spectacles or your prescription would also be handy. Documents might include a copy of your driving license.

 FEMA stands for Federal Emergency Management Association

Useful websites 

https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-israeli-earthquake-app-will-save-thousands-of-lives/

https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes

https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/fema_earthquakes_fema-p-530-earthquake-safety-at-home-march-2020.pdf

https://www.tripsavvy.com/earthquake-safety-tips-in-los-angeles-1586562

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Emergency_Management_Agency

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1429598-d6697549-Reviews-Museum_of_D_Solomos_and_Eminent_People_of_Zakynthos-Zakynthos_Town_Zakynthos_Ion.html

Author

About the author of this blog post

Angela Lansbury

About the Author Angela Lansbury

BIOGRAPHY

Angela Lansbury B A Hons ACG ALB PM5 EH5 DL5 VC5 
The Author of several books including  Etiquette For Every Occasion. Wedding Speeches & Toasts. How to be the Best Man. Quick Quotations. Who Said What When.

Blogs travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com

dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com

translateforfun.blogspot.com

Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Speakers Club Vice President Public Relations (VPPR), Previous President

Join BHA 1st Wednesday 7pm and 3rd Saturday 2 pm Singapore time 

Vice President Public Relations (VP PR) of Tampines Changkat Advanced;

Secretary of weekly online Singapore International Dynamic Toastmasters Speakers’ Club;

Member and past president of Harrovians toastmasters club, UK; Past member of HOD Toastmasters, London. Past member in Singapore of: Toastmasters Club of Singapore (TCS); Tiarel; and Senja Cashew.

More details from Toastmasters International find a club.

Regular attendee at annual Swanwick Writers’ School, England.

Regular attendee at annual Writers’ Holiday, Wales.

Contributor to poetry readings, and after tea courses on: Speaking On Radio To Promote Books; and Plots And Character.

Winner of many club and area speaking contests in the UK and Singapore.

Language advisor to Empire Toastmasters club in Indonesia.

Language and speech workshops in Singapore.

Speaker on radio and TV in England, Scotland, the USA, and Australia.

Compiler of a school course on public speaking for teachers to prepare pupils for school open days with attending ceremonies before government ministers, Singapore.

Former member of Harrow Writers’ Circle, London, and two writing groups in Singapore.

Angela is on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter. She would be delighted to link up with new friends.

 Please share links to your favourite posts.

Books by Angela Lansbury
How to be the best man. (Ward Lock / Cassell.)
Wedding Speeches and Toasts.(Ward Lock / Cassell.)
Unforgettable British Weekends.
Poetry Workshop Workbook.
The Tailor and the Spy. (Lulu.)
Larry The Talking Labrador. (Lulu.)
Writing Poetry for fun.

Quick Quotations

Who Said What When

 

How To Secure your bags and pockets on trains - and in restaurants

Some people travel with their own helmets to go cycling, motorcycling or skiing overseas.

Before travelling, check your clothes pockets for security and your bags and locks and keys.

Pockets
I ordered a multi-pocket jacket. I was disappointed that it arrived with pockets which had no fastening. However, with a day or two to spare before my journey, I had time to add zips and press studs and even extra pockets behind the front pocket.




 Even if you are capable of carrying a large item, a bag which is too large to keep under your seat can be a security risk when you are travelling.

 
Most years I take at least one train trip. sometimes from London, England to Wales to a Writer's Holiday. Sometimes, from London up north to Derby to Writers Summer School.
 I remember my journey on a train within Switzerland. They had a rack with hooks for your coat to hang up.


I have also travelled from the airport to Philadelphia. I sat around in the airport for hours. All sorts of people, porters, waiters, people at the next table, tried to apparently help me by movin my bag our of my way and theirs to a position away from my table.

I never allow that. My shoulder bag and wheel on bag must be in front of me, visible, ideally attacheched to me by the shoulder bag handle looped around my arm or the chair leg.

I have a friend who have lost her bag which was by her feet at a large table for ten in a Chinese restaurant in London.

My husband lost his wallet and sunglasses from his coat on the back of a crowded restaurant in Prague, Czeck Republic, one New Year's Eve. In addition to the manager and waiters, people passing to and from included diners leaving. Would-be diners walked in to enquire about a table and leaving disappointed. We had a guitarist and his assistant with a cap for money approaching us and passing to and fro. A person selling flowers. Another collecting money for charity.People at the next table getting up to go to the toilet.

I don't let a coat out of sight either. A coat hanging in a cupboard can disappear. Unless it is on a hook on the wall behind your table and you are facing it or leaning against it, don't let it go.

I also have a distinctive cover on my phone. A black phone could easily be picked up by mistake by somebody else. Or left behind by you, not realising it was your phone, thinking it was somebody else's.

I get onto a train and the man who helps me onto the train wants to heave my bag onto the luggage rack by the door. My reserved seat, or the only empty seat, is further into the train with its back to the distant luggage rack.

Thieves' tricks
A well-known trick is for a thief to get onto the train just before it is about to depart. When the signal for departure goes, he grabs a nearby bag and leaps off the train. Even if you had a distinctive bag and were watching and saw this happening, by the time you have raced to the end of the carriage, the train is moving.

Porters
In some hotels the porter wants to take your luggage away and up to your room via a service lift. I don't allow that. I recall ariving at my room and can't clean my teeth because the bag is delayed whilst they wait for somebody else on the same floor to load their stuff onto the trolley.

I once decided to change rooms, because mine looked out onto scaffodling and rubbish bins (Americans say trash cans). I had not left my rented home overlooking a swimming pool to stay in a room overlooking a buldging site and rubbish. But where was the luggage. (Americans can baggage.)

If the porter insists the luggage must go in the other lift, go with the luggage in the other lift (if you feel safe), or remove the wheel on bag containing your lap top and keep that small item with you whilst they take the larger suitcase.

Or just take your own luggage.

What can you do?

Bicycles
Which rack is easier to watch, the one in front or the one behind?




1 Buy pickpocket proof clothing. (That's a brand name.)
2 Add inside pockets to your clothes.
3 Add zips to all pockets with flaps.
4 Add a second zipped pocket inside and behind the main pocket compartment.
5 Wear a second garment such as a jacket or cape outside your jacket.
6 Keep a social distance from anybody. Face them when speaking to them, watching for people standing alongside.
7 Keep your wheeled bag between yourself and others in a queue (Americans say line-up) so they are not right next to your pockets.
Turn your wheel on bag so the front zip comparment is towards you or on the floor with another bag on top.
Buy a wheel on bag with a compartment at the back instead of the front.
Keep only newspapers in the front zipped compartment.
Count your bags.
A jacket with pockets on the outside can be worn inside out. Remove the neck brand and size labels or cover with satin ribbon.

Useful Websites
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-in-1-Women-Pockets-Scarf-Convertible-Journey-Winter-Infinity-Scarf-
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Convertible-Scarf-With-Hidden-Zipper-Pockets-Bandana-Headscarf-Wool-Neckerchief

About the Author
Angela Lansbury is a travel writer and photographer. Author of Quick Quotations and several other books.

See Lulu.com and Amazon.com