Staying Safe Outdoors During Earthquakes

◎李不延

地震看上去离我们很远，可一旦发生，会造成严重后果。为了防患于未然，我们有必要了解一些地震相关的自救知识。当地震来临时，如果我们身处户外，需要注意哪些事项呢？

1.Move away from buildings,street lights,power lines,and bridges.

The most dangerous locations during an earthquake are areas immediately around buildings.As soon as the ground begins shaking,try to get as far away as possible from any nearby structures.Stay low to the ground to keep your balance as you get to a safe spot,and keep your eye out for falling1)debris.Do not seek shelter under a bridge or2)overpass.Additionally,look out for sinkholes,open faults,or large holes in the ground.

2.Crouch down low in a wide open area until the shaking stops.

Once you’ve made your way away from nearby structures,get on your hands to cover your head.See if there are any objects nearby to use as a shield,such as a trash can lid.If none are3)available,cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.Remain crouched low to the ground in a covered position until the shaking stops.

3.Watch out for hazards as you assess your surroundings.

As you venture out after the earthquake,beware of broken glass,rubble,downed power lines,fallen trees,and any other potential hazards.Check yourself and anyone nearby for injuries.If necessary,administer first aid and call emergency services.Stay away from damaged structures and areas immediately around buildings.Remember that aftershocks may occur.If there’s an aftershock,weakened buildings,windows,and4)architecturaldebris can fall to the ground.

4.Get to higher ground if you’re on the shore or near a dam.

If a shaking lasts more than 20 seconds,don’t wait for an alarm to flee.Get to ground that’s at least 100 ft (30 m) above sea level or 2 mi (3.2 km) from the shore.Earthquakes can cause tsunamis,so put distance between yourself and the coast.While a catastrophic failure is unlikely,earthquake damage can cause flooding downstream from a dam.If you live in a flood zone,proceed to higher ground.Check5)evacuationplans in advance if you live near a dam in an earthquake-prone area.

1) debrisn.残骸；碎片；垃圾

2) overpassn.立交桥；天桥；高架道路

3) availableadj.可用的；可获得的

4) architecturaladj.建筑学的；建筑上的

5) evacuationn.疏散；撤离；排泄

1.远离建筑物、路灯、电线和桥梁。

地震时，最危险的地方是建筑物周围的区域。一旦地面开始震动，尽可能远离任何附近的建筑物。当你到达一个安全的地点时，降低重心以保持平衡，并留意掉落的碎片。不要在桥下或立交桥下避难。此外，要注意污水坑、开放性断层或地面上的裂缝。

2.蹲在一个开阔的区域，直到震动停止。

一旦你离开了建筑物附近，用双手掩护头部。看看附近是否有什么物件可以用作盾牌，比如垃圾桶盖。如果没有，用手和手臂保护你的头部和颈部。保持低蹲在地面上的姿势，直到震动停止。

3.当你评估周围环境时，要注意危险。

当你在地震后冒险外出时，当心碎玻璃、碎石、倒塌的电线、倒下的树木和其他潜在的危险。检查一下你自己和附近的任何人是否受伤。如果有必要，进行急救并拨打急救电话。远离受损的建筑物及其周围区域。请记住，余震可能会发生。如果有余震，被震动过的建筑、窗户和建筑碎片都有可能掉落。

4.如果你在岸边或大坝附近，可以走到更高的地方。

如果震动持续超过20 秒，不要等待警报响起才逃跑。躲到海拔至少100 英尺（30 米）或距离海岸2英里（3.2千米）的地方。地震会引发海啸，所以你要与海岸之间保持足够的距离。虽然发生灾难性破坏的可能性较低，但地震的破坏可能会导致大坝下游洪水泛滥。如果你住在洪水区，那就去地势较高的地方。如果你住在地震多发地区的大坝附近，请提前查看疏散计划。