Don’t get shaken up by an earthquake

South Africans are still ‘shaken’ following yesterday’s 5.3 magnitude earthquake in Orkney, with many fearing that more could follow soon.
Within a few moments social media sites were abuzz with users citing their experience, some of them six hundred kilometres apart from each other.
KwaZulu-Natal has been put on high alert following the earth tremor which was felt around Newcastle, Ladysmith and even parts of Durban.
One man was killed and over 17 miners were injured after the natural disaster.
Emergency Services always face a challenge when such an incident occurs. But it’s not only the emergency services that have to be on point; the community also needs to know how to deal with the situation.
ER24 today issued a statement on what people should do if an earthquake were to hit.
What should you do during an earthquake?
•Stay calm.
•Try and stay where you are. Use large and sturdy objects such as a big desk to crawl under. If you are in a building, try and stand with your back against the wall near the centre of the building. You should try and stay away from windows and outside doors.
•Should you be outside at the time of an earthquake, look around you. Ensure you are clear from power cables or anything overhead that might fall on you. Do not stand near or against a building, debris might fall on top of you.
•Use the stairs to evacuate premises (only when it is safe to do so)

What should you do after an earthquake?
•Establish if you have sustained any injuries. Check around you and try to see if anyone else sustained any injuries. If you can provide first aid, proceed to do so.
•Call ER24 on 084124 for medical assistance if someone sustained an injury.
•If the building you are in sustained structural damage, even if you are unsure, evacuated calmly and quickly. (If possible)
•Try and listen to your local radio station for emergency or news updates.
•Do not enter any damaged buildings or areas.
•There might be debris lying around. Be very careful around broken glass and other items that can cause you harm. Do not take off your shoes.
•Stay away from beaches until the area has been announced as safe.
•If the area you are in has an evacuation or emergency plan, try and follow it.
•Expect aftershocks.