what should you not do during a disaster

13 Things NOT To Do When Disaster Strikes

1. Panic. Few things are more likely to cost you your life when the chips are down than panicking. ...
2. Stare at the TV. With every news station in the country broadcasting updates about the disaster 24/7, it’s easy to fall into a state of shell-shock where you sit ...
3. Decline Government Aid. ...
4. Bug Out Into the Woods. ...
5. Act Like Rambo Resurrected. ...
6. Blame Yourself. ...

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Full Answer

What should you never do in a disaster or emergency?

Don’t Underestimate the Danger This was another of the things to never do in a disaster or emergency that most of the experts included on their lists. You’d be amazed at how many people discount weather reports or other information from authorities and convince themselves “it’s not that bad”.

What supplies do you need to survive a natural disaster?

In this scenario, you will need enough water, food, medication, and other supplies, such as a first-aid kit, to survive on your own until help is available. Remember, after a natural disaster, electricity, gas, water, and telephone services may be interrupted.

How to prepare your body for a disaster?

Ignore Your Basic Needs Basic needs such as food, sleep, and hygiene don’t go out the window when disaster hits. Following a disaster, make sure you continue to take care of yourself and provide your body with the things it needs in order to be in optimum condition. Want to prep but not sure where to begin?

Why do we do nothing in a disaster?

When we think of disaster, we tend to think of mass hysteria. In the movies at least, people run away with their arms flailing. But the reality is the most natural human response in the face of danger is to simply do nothing.

What should we not do during disaster?

Do not push others....Make Yourself Safe during this Storm Season :Do not venture out and stay indoors during a storm.Do not take shelter in small sheds and under isolated trees.If you are outside, take shelter in a safe structure.If you are driving, stop your car and park in a safe place away from power lines and trees.

What things should you do or not do after a disaster?

After an emergencyTry to stay calm.Check yourself and others for injuries. ... Check on neighbours, especially the elderly or people with disabilities.Confine or secure pets.Use the battery-operated radio from your emergency kit to listen for information and instructions.More items...

What should you do during a disaster?

If you are evacuated:Follow directions of local officials. Carry your disaster supplies kit with you.Unplug appliances; turn off electricity, gas, and main water valve. ... If time permits, elevate or move furniture to upper floors.Tell someone outside of storm area where you are going.Lock home and leave.

Do and don'ts of man made disaster?

Inform Fire & Emergency Services, Police and medical services from safe location by calling 101, 100 and 108 respectively. Provide correct and accurate information to government official. Inform others on occurrence of event at public gathering places (like school, shopping centre, theatre etc.).

What should we do before during and after disaster?

Before-and-After Steps and Resources for DisastersStart a conversation with your family. ... Know how to evacuate when disaster strikes. ... Find out about your installation's emergency management plan. ... Find a safe place to stay and check in with your command. ... Understand steps to take when returning home.More items...

What will be the first thing you will do when a disaster occur?

Pack an emergency preparedness kitDrinking water (at least one gallon per person per day)Nonperishable food, such as canned veggies and protein bars.Manual can opener.Flashlights or portable lanterns and extra batteries.First aid kit.A crank- or battery-powered radio.More items...

Do and don'ts during flood?

Avoid building in flood prone areas unless you elevate and reinforce your home. Elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel if susceptible to flooding. Install "Check Valves" in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home.

What do you think is the most important thing to do during disaster?

The most important thing to remember during a natural disaster is to follow the instructions of local authorities and emergency services and remain calm. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately and make sure to follow instructions.

What happens during a disaster?

In a disaster, you face the danger of death or physical injury. You may also lose your home, possessions, and community. Such stressors place you at risk for emotional and physical health problems. Stress reactions after a disaster look very much like the common reactions seen after any type of trauma.

Do and don'ts during earthquake?

If indoors Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, (such as lighting fixtures or furniture). Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall.

Do and don'ts during landslide?

Do not panic and loose energy by crying. Do not touch or walk over loose material and electrical wiring or pole. Do not built houses near steep slopes and near drainage path. Do not drink contaminated water directly from rivers, springs, wells but rain water if collected directly without is fine.

Do and don'ts during tsunami?

If you are in dangerous area, immediately turn all the water gas and electricity and quickly move to a higher ground. Remember once tsunami warning is issued, it could be a matter of minutes, or even seconds, before the wave's hits. If tsunami warning is issued, never go down to the beach to watch the waves come in.

Which of the following is important during and immediately after a disaster?

The most important thing to remember during a natural disaster is to follow the instructions of local authorities and emergency services and remain calm. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately and make sure to follow instructions.

What should I do after earthquake?

Stay calm. If you're indoors, don't go outside. Stay away from windows and doors. If you're outdoors, stay in an open area, away from power lines or anything that might fall.

How to survive a disaster?

10. Ignore Your Basic Needs. Basic needs such as food, sleep, and hygiene don’t go out the window when disaster hits. Following a disaster, make sure you continue to take care of yourself and provide your body with the things it needs in order to be in optimum condition.

How to stay calm when a disaster strikes?

If disaster strikes, take a deep breath, stick to your plan, and do your best to stay calm. 2. Stare at the TV. With every news station in the country broadcasting updates about ...

What is the hardest thing about being prepared when others are not?

One of the hardest things about being prepared when others are not is having to turn away people who are looking for help. As gut-wrenching as this might be, though, there comes a point where it is a necessity.

What happens when a disaster turns your world upside down?

Despair. A major disaster can turn your world upside down, leaving you feeling hopeless. It’s important to remember, though, that no matter how desperate the situation is all hope is not lost. So long as you are still breathing, planning, and doing what it takes to stay alive, you still have a chance.

What should I not do during the Hawaiian tsunami?

Here are 7 things NOT to do: 1) Panic. The ocean didn’t injure anybody during the predicted Hawaiian tsunami, but there were fatal car accidents as people panicked to get to higher ground. Of course it is difficult to keep an air of calm when doom is impending, but it is vital to ensure your safety. Although time will be of the essence, that ...

What happens if you are on vacation during a disaster?

If you’re on vacation when a disaster warning strikes, there is a good chance you won’t have access to a car or the facilities you might at home. Even if you are at home, you may need to make arrangements for your safety. Sharing cars with those who had rentals ensured we all got to the evacuation center.

What is essential for a camping trip?

Essential means exactly that—water, food, flashlight, warm clothes, medicine, all-weather shoes, blankets, smartphone and other items that will help if you find yourself without power and running water for days. In other words, if you’d take the item camping, pack it. If you’d take it to the beach or a bar, leave it.

What happens if you ignore the roadblocks?

With only a matter of hours to get to safety, there simply wasn’t time for activities beyond those advised, and people who ignored the advice caused road blocks, putting themselves and others in danger. If the authorities think your most vital activity is refueling your car or stocking your fridge, they will tell you.

Did the tsunami have the force that had been anticipated?

This prompted a full-scale evacuation. Fortunately, the tsunami did not have the force that had been anticipated, but as those who have experienced Hurricane Sandy or other severe natural disasters will know, that isn’t always the case. If you find yourself in the midst of a natural disaster, your own actions can play a huge part in your safety.

How to prepare for a hurricane?

• Gather supplies and make sure your emergency kit is stocked. • Install your storm shutters. • Store loose exterior items in a safe location. • Sterilize the bath tub and fill it with water.

Can you leave your engine on during a wildfire?

Wildfires: • If you’re in a vehicle in a directly affected area , do not leave the engine on or circulate outdoor air. Get low in the vehicle with the engine off and cover yourself with a blanket.

What is the worst thing about emergencies?

The worst thing about emergencies and disasters is that they are often unpredictable. We don’t often get much warning, if any, that our life is about to hang in the balance. It can be difficult to know what to do, especially if you haven’t put much thought or practice into emergency planning prior to getting caught up in one.

What does it mean to stay put when everyone else is evacuating?

Staying put when everyone else is evacuating means that emergency personnel may risk their lives to come in to get you later. Underestimating danger can get you, your family, and others around you injured or killed. #3. Don’t Move Someone Who is Injured. Most of the experts agree on this one too.

What to do when moving to a new area?

If you move to a new area or are in a new area for work or vacation, take time to find out what kinds of emergencies and disasters are prevalent for that area. Disasters don’t always strike when you are at home. Find out what emergency evacuation plans are for the area so you and your family can be better prepared if something does happen.

Why do people worry about normal routine things?

Experts have determined that many people worry about normal routine things during an emergency or disaster and it actually puts them at risk and in some instances, causes their injury or death. In an emergency or disaster situation, your first priority is getting away from danger to safety.

What does it mean to underestimate danger?

Underestimating the danger in a disaster or emergency means the decisions you make won’t be based on facts. Underestimating the danger is one of the main reasons people stay put when everyone around them is evacuating.

What happens when you think you're drowning?

But when someone is drowning or even thinks they are drowning, they go into survival mode. If you yourself are not trained in safe rescue techniques, a drowning victim can push you under or even knock you out trying to save themselves.

Can you get caught without cash?

Don’t Get Caught Without Cash. In an emergency or disaster, never get caught without at least some cash on hand. In the hours or days immediately following an emergency or disaster, having cash on hand can help you get through the situation.

What to do after an earthquake?

In some cases, damaged structures can fall well after the shaking has stopped, or there may be other hazards in or around your home or office to deal with. Assess the situation, and execute on your disaster plan. Meet your family or coworkers in a safe space, away from damaged buildings and other hazards like hanging wires, fires, gas leaks, falling glass, or uneven ground. Be prepared for aftershocks, which can be just as dangerous (or more so to already compromised infrastructure) than the original quake.

What to do if you have a tornado warning?

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, you and everyone in your household or office should know what to do and where to take shelter. Familiarize yourself with the warning signs. Tornadoes are usually accompanied by other strong storms, like thunderstorms or hurricanes, but not always.

How long can you go without help?

72hours 's guide says that you should prepare to take care of yourself for at least 72 hours without help.

What to do if you get an evacuation order?

Obey evacuation orders. If an order is issued for your area, leave immediately. Grab your go bag, disaster kit, any important documents and items, and leave as quickly as possible along evacuation routes. Don't try to pack your car after the order is issued—grab what you can and go. Advertisement.

What happens after a tornado?

Remember, tornadoes can cause incredible damage and down power lines, rupture gas lines, and damage structures and put them in danger of collapse. Many injuries after tornadoes are just people stepping on nails or cutting themselves on broken glass. Be careful, both immediately after and when you try to clean up the damage.

How to prepare for a fire?

Make sure you have a disaster plan. Your plan in the case of a fire should largely consist of an evacuation plan that you've practiced. Everyone in your household or office should be well versed in it, and you should have meet-up or rally points set at a safe distance from your home or office.

What to do if your home is damaged from a quake?

If you think your home is damaged, call the appropriate service provider to inspect it properly.

What Should I Do During an Emergency or Natural Disaster?

Earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, fires, flooding, riots. The news has been filled recently with stories of catastrophic events. And while you can’t always know in advance when an emergency situation is going to occur, you can be prepared.

Preparing for an evacuation

The first thing to do is make an emergency plan with your oncologist. Talk to him or her about what you need to do to manage your cancer care during an evacuation. For example, what are your options if you cannot get to a scheduled radiation treatment or to the clinic for chemotherapy?

Sheltering in place

During other types of emergencies, you may be asked to “shelter in place.” In this scenario, you will need enough water, food, medication, and other supplies, such as a first-aid kit, to survive on your own until help is available.