Real Talk

Ways to Keep Your Family Safe During Earthquakes

by Kevyn Gohu
October 16, 2023

Because the Philippines lies on the Earthquake Belt, here are some ways to keep the family safe.

Unfortunately, Filipino families get hit by a lot of natural calamities and earthquakes are one of them. Because the Philippines is home to many volcanoes and lies along the Earthquake Belt, buildings and houses have stringent standards to make sure they survive those. And although our homes can withstand the shock, the wear and tear over the years can result in some accidents. So, to make sure our families are safe during earthquakes, here are some things we can do:

Ways to Keep Your Family Safe During Earthquakes

1. Make sure the family knows all the exits in the house

Homes and condos have various exits and it’s good to memorize all of them. That way, if there’s debris from the earthquake blocking one, there’s always another for the family to escape from. Some families build at least three different exits and entrances in their homes as a safety precaution.

2. Practice the kids with duck, cover, and roll

The most important part about surviving an earthquake is shielding our heads and our backs. Nobody wants to die from debris crushing them. Rehearse with the family the duck, cover, and roll technique so that they also know to hide under a sturdy table during an earthquake.

3. The moment you smell smoke, leave the room

Some earthquakes are so strong that they can disrupt electrical currents. While there’s a safety breaker in most houses, some impacts are so strong that they can cause a short circuit or a ground among the wires. Once you smell smoke, get the family out. Although that means leaving some beloved pieces, everyone’s lives (including the fur babies!) matter more.

4. Head for an open space that’s not on the road

Casualties from calamities often include road accidents because everybody’s panicking so cars are speeding to get home to their families. Stay on the sidewalk when the whole family escapes and make sure you’re also a good distance from the electrical poles. Those have wires that can slash and spark. If it’s raining, make sure to stand on a dry surface in case the electrical wires touch the water. Water conducts electricity!

5. If you’re trapped inside, form a Triangle of Life out of a table

In case all exits are blocked, head for a corner with a table and create what people call the “Triangle of Life.” Use the table to create a slope and make-shift roof that will allow the debris to slide down instead of crashing right on top of you. Although it will bury you a bit, it’ll at least keep your heads protected while buying some time to call for help once the earthquake ends.

6. When in a condo, make a beeline for the top floor!

Earthquakes usually damage the lower floors first so bring your family to the top floor. Take the stairs and make sure everybody, including fur babies, are with you. The top floor usually has a lot of reinforced pillars that rarely crumble from the earthquake’s shocks.

Make sure everyone in the family is accounted for during the earthquake!

For those who live in the province, earthquakes are a traumatic experience. They happen every so often and these shocks can cause landslides and many other disastrous events after. In the city, however, the greatest threats are the buildings and condos. With some condos being built near fault lines and so sky-high, they have a higher chance of crumbling down. There’s truth to the whole adage: “The bigger they are, the harder they fall,” after all. Although we will lose some of our valuables or necessities during the earthquake, the most important part for the family is that everyone comes out alive.