Earthquakes hit Mexico — What you have to do and what you have to avoid

As some may already know, Mexico was struck by a 7 magnitude earthquake a couple of months ago and it was horrible. Fortunately, I live in the State of Mexico and we only got scared, nothing bad happened to us and to our loved ones. Even though the epicenter was a state away, the house rocked pretty significantly. It did give us a scare and the lights were on and off. Imagine being in the place of interest!

It was early in the night and I was the first one to feel it. I told everyone to get out as quickly as possible. I felt scared because a couple of years ago, also in September, we had another earthquake which did cause so much damage in many states including ours. So the fear was still lingering in me. In the end, my family and I managed to get out of the house but I felt that we didn’t know what to do properly. It took too much time to react.

In my belief, the best thing to do is leave everything and get the hell out of there but then a family member started to look for a jacket, an umbrella, and other stuff. I was truly dumbfounded.

With this being said and to be able to have the proper know-how, here are some pointers…so you don’t do the same mistakes as my family and I did.

Stay calm! Thinking straight is key for your survival. You won't think correctly if you panic even though you may have a sense of what to do in these situations. Try to analyze what is happening and what you have to do.

Focus is key.

The next thing to do is to observe where you are! If you are in a tall building...don't try to go down. Stay where you are! I did not know this! I was always told to try to go outside and to be quick. But this is not the case! Investigations have proven that it's safer to stay in the same spot.

If you are outside, stay there.

If you are inside, also stay there.

You have to shelter yourself and be conscious of your surroundings. If you are inside, go to the nearest wall. Don’t go close to windows or any furniture that can crumble down. Doors and cabinets can also swing and hurt you.

DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON.

Even if you are able to position yourself under a table or anything solid, you have to crouch and hold if not the furniture, your head. You have to do the same method if you are next to a wall.

If you are outside, try to locate a place where you can sense that no falling objects may hit you. Look out for any trees, poles, and go to open space. Standing next to an exterior wall is a big mistake.

And remember, the best way to prevent major emergencies, is to know how and what to do in these natural disasters. Educate yourself and make an emergency plan and share it with your family.

You also have to be calm after the main earthquake occurs, try to help others, stay aware of other aftershock earthquakes, anything can still happen.

When everything has calmed down, look out for structural damages wherever you are. If you see some, immediately fix them.

I hope you take care and be safe!

This article was mainly aided by the guidance of the website of the Government of Canada and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/rthqks-wtd/index-en.aspx

https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes/during.html#:~:text=Stay%20away%20from%20outer%20walls,and%20buildings%2C%20and%20stay%20there

Thank you for reading! I hope this information can really help someone.