Arrange furniture in the home that may pose a risk during an earthquake.
※ Remove objects likely to fall from high spots like the ceiling, and do not place fragile or heavy objects at your bedside.
Be fully aware of first aid procedures in case of an emergency.
Firmly fix appliances such as electric heater, gas apparatus, etc.
※ Inspect wiring, gas, etc. and repair any unstable part.
※ Learn how to cut off gas, electricity, and water supply in advance.
Determine a place to rejoin family members after an earthquake and arrange a means of communication to let friends and relatives in other areas know that you are all right.
During an earthquake, the entire family must avoid hazardous places and evacuate to safety.
※ Be aware possible safe spots nearby, such as vacant lots, schools, and parks.
Be aware of the locations and proper use of necessities like emergency medicines, supplies, equipment, and food. Assign each family member a role to take during an emergency.
Identify safe places, such as under sturdy tables or in a small space between load-bearing walls.
Identify dangerous spots in each room (near windows, bookshelves, furniture likely to fall), and avoid these spots.
At the first sign that a building may collapse, such as cracking sounds, vibrations, or progressive cracks, consult a specialist.
Undergo earthquake preparedness training.
Check the foundation of the house or the ground condition around the house.
When an earthquake occurs
At home
Top priority should be given to the safety of you and your family members
Major shaking generally lasts for no longer than 1 or 2 minutes.
First, go under a sturdy table or desk, and hold the legs to protect your body.
If there is no table available, protect your head with something like a cushion.
If a fire breaks out, stay calm and quickly put it out.
Even in a small earthquake, practice putting out fires promptly, keeping others informed and working together to fight fires at the early stages …
※ During a major earthquake, fire engines may have difficulty reaching and suppressing fires, so cooperative efforts at the individual level will be a great help in reducing fire damage.
Always familiarize yourself with the practice of putting out fires, even in small earthquakes.
The most important thing is to extinguish fires as quickly and as calmly as possible, working cooperatively with family as well as neighbors.
There are three chances to fight fire damage during an earthquake!
First chance
An earthquake starts with small, weak shaking before escalating into heavy shaking. As soon as you feel light shaking, yell “Earthquake!” and turn off any appliances that present a fire hazard.
Second chance
When the heavy shaking stops. This is a very dangerous time because, for example, cookware on the gas range may fall. After the heavy shaking stops, yell “Put out the fire!”
Third chance
Immediately after a fire ignites. Even if a fire starts, it may be fully extinguished in 1-2 minutes. Keep a fire extinguisher or large vessel close at hand in order to put out fires straightaway.
Do not rush outside!
There are many hazards outside, so check the situation first.
During an earthquake, rushing outside is very dangerous because objects like glass windows or signboards may fall on you.
To avoid injury, do not go near concrete-block walls, vending machines, and other unsecured heavy objects.
Open a door to secure an exit!
Consider emergency evacuation plans in advance.
※ Getting trapped in a reinforced concrete building because of a crooked door:
Be sure to open the door beforehand to secure an exit!
Have an evacuation plan fully prepared in the event of accidental entrapment.
Outside the house
Outside the house, protect your head and keep away from hazards. Beware of falling objects!
※ When the ground is shaking so much it is difficult to stand, people have a tendency to look for something to lean on. Nearby door posts or walls may look sturdy, but in actuality, they are very hazardous.
There have been many instances of concrete-block walls and door posts collapsing during heavy earthquakes, resulting in numerous injuries. Do not go near concrete-block walls or door posts.
※ The most dangerous objects in commercial areas or building-lined streets are falling objects, including glass windows and signboards.
It is vital to protect your head, using your hands, a bag, or some other protection.
Also, be careful of unsecured objects at risk of toppling, such as vending machines. In a street lined with buildings, going inside a building may be safer to avoid falling objects.
In department stores, theaters, and underground shopping arcades
Follow the guide’s instructions! Do not create a commotion and don’t be swept into a panic situation!
In places where many people congregate, great confusion may occur. In such places, follow the guide’s instructions.
If there is a fire, the place will be filled with smoke. Stay low to avoid smoke inhalation while escaping to a safe place.
In an elevator
Evacuate to the nearest floor! Stay calm even if you are trapped.
Do not use the elevator in the event of an earthquake or a fire.
If inside an elevator, push all the buttons, then get out quickly to evacuate.
If trapped, call for help using the emergency phone/intercom.
In a subway
Be careful of the surrounding commotion, and make your own safety your top priority! Hold tightly to a fixture to avoid falling!
Since there will be some jolts, hold onto the luggage rack or a handle to keep from falling.
Stay calm and follow the instructions broadcast in the train. Rash behavior will cause great confusion.
When the train stops at the station, rushing out in a hurry poses a serious risk of injury.
Emergency lights are lit in the subway station even during power outages. Running in a hurry towards the exit is very risky and will cause great confusion. Stay calm and follow the announcements over the intercom.
When driving a car
Park the car on the right side of the road and do not drive in restricted areas. Careless driving with poor judgment will cause confusion; listen to the car radio for instructions on what to do.
During an earthquake, it can feel as though the tires have ruptured and there is instability in the vehicle’s handling, making it difficult to drive properly. Stop the car on the right side, paying careful attention to surroundings and avoiding crossing the road.
Make sure not to block the central part of the road; leave it passable for evacuees and emergency vehicles.
In city centers and downtown areas, most roads are unsafe for travel. Listen carefully to radio broadcasts, and if there is a police officer in the vicinity, follow the instructions given.
If it becomes necessary to evacuate because of a fire, close the car windows but do not lock the doors. Leave the key in the ignition, and quickly escape to safety.
In mountains and at sea
Be careful of landslides, ground collapse and tsunamis! Evacuate from the danger zone immediately.
Because of the risk of landslides or slope/ground collapse around mountains or steep slopes, you must evacuate to a safe place.
In coastal areas, tsunamis are likely to occur. When sensing an earthquake or when a tsunami alert is issued, evacuate immediately, following instructions given by local broadcast or radio announcements.
When there are injured persons
Working together with others, administer emergency relief and first aid when it is needed.
During a heavy earthquake, it is probable that a large number of persons will be injured, and emergency assistance from rescue units and hospitals may not be operating normally due to power outages or traffic jams.
Therefore, those around the injured victims must provide appropriate emergency treatment. It is wise to learn about first aid.
When taking shelter
Evacuate on foot! Minimize belongings! Cooperate with others when an evacuation advisory is issued!
If there is a risk of casualties due to spread of fire, evacuate quickly. Follow the instructions given by the personnel in charge, e.g., public servants or police officers. Evacuate on foot, not by car, and carry only your essential belongings.
In the case of invalids and the infirm, the cooperation of local residents is absolutely required. Consult with neighbors beforehand to decide on a plan.
Right information, right behavior
Don’t believe groundless rumors! Act on accurate information obtained by listening to the radio or issued by disaster prevention agencies.
To avoid great confusion, it is important for each individual to act upon accurate and correct information.
Rely on information obtained directly from the appropriate authorities, e.g., city/ county/district officials, or the police or fire department. Do not believe hearsay.
※ Assess the earthquake situation carefully by visiting the Korea Meteorological Administration homepage (www.kma.go.kr) or listening to the radio.
After an earthquake is over
Even though they are less powerful than the earthquake itself, aftershocks may cause lethal damage to weakened buildings. Thus, it is important to be thoroughly prepared for aftershocks.
Check for injured persons and immediately request rescue. Unless they are in a hazardous place, leave injured persons as they are. If it is necessary to move them, first protect their airway, secure the head and any injured parts so they do not change position, and then move them to a safe place.
Do not give water to an unconscious injured person.
If the person’s breathing or heart stops, quickly and carefully carry out CPR (artificial respiration).
Cover the victim with a blanket to maintain body temperature, but make sure their temperature does not rise too much.
In the case of power outage, use a flashlight. Since there is a risk of explosion from possible gas leakage, use open flames (e.g., candles, matches, or lighters) only after conducting a safety check.
Wear sturdy shoes to protect your feet from shards of glass.
If there are any doubts about the safety of your home, ask an expert to check it before entering.
Check the building (e.g., chimney, walls around the yard, structural walls) but since there is risk of collapse, conduct your initial examination from a safe distance.
Clean up chemicals, bleach, oil, etc., that have spilled. However, leave them as they are when you evacuate if the amount is excessive, or if the building is not well ventilated, or if the kind of substance/treatment method are unknown.
Identify damage to major lines and appliances such as electrical wiring, gas lines, and water pipes and mains.
If you hear or smell a gas leak, open the windows and evacuate. If possible, shut off the main gas valve.
In the event of a gas leak, shut off the gas valve, then report it promptly to the agency concerned (local city gas company or LPG supplier, Korea Gas Safety Corporation [KGS], 119). Before resuming use, have a specialist check it.
If there are electrical anomalies, turn off electricity at the circuit breaker.
If there is damage to water pipes, shut off the main valve.
Check for damage to sewer pipes before using the toilet.
Open cabinet doors carefully to prevent contents from spilling out.
Refrain from using the phone unless it is a life or death situation.
Carefully listen to emergency-related news.
It is not advisable to go out into the street. If it is absolutely necessary to go out, beware of hazards from earthquake damage (e.g., downed lines; collapse hazards like buildings, embankments, bridges, and roads).
Do not approach damage-affected areas before help has arrived from firemen, policemen, and rescue personnel.
Residents of coastal areas should prepare for tsunamis.
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