Neither elevator nor door frame: the Civil Protection guide from the Provincial Council of Málaga, included in the 2017 Seismic Hazard Map, details how to act during an earthquake and how municipalities should prepare.
The Civil Protection Service of the Provincial Council of Málaga has released a guide with recommendations for the public in the event of a possible earthquake. The document, part of the Seismic Hazard Map of the province of Málaga created in 2017, debunks two widely held pieces of advice: do not use the elevator and do not stand under a door frame.
Instead, the guide advises that if you are inside a seismic-resistant building, you should locate yourself in a protective place, away from glass and shelves, and brace yourself under a sturdy element or next to a structural wall. If the building is not seismic-resistant, you should evacuate immediately and head to an external safety zone due to the risk of collapse.
The document also highlights the importance of prevention at home: securely fasten shelves, avoid placing heavy objects above the bed, and have supplies ready such as a first aid kit, water, food, flashlight, and radio. Additionally, it is advisable to know how to disconnect water, electricity, and gas.
During the tremor, inside a house, you should open the main door and bedroom doors at the start, avoid being barefoot, and refrain from using candles, matches, or other ignition sources. If you are lying down, it is recommended to get up and find a protected place; if that is not possible, at least protect your head.
In the street, you should move away from buildings, poles, and electrical wires. If you are driving, you should reduce speed and stop in a safe place, away from trees and power lines. In crowded places, such as a shopping centre, you should stay away from areas where objects may fall; in a cinema or theatre, it is best to remain seated and protect your head with your arms until the shaking stops.
The guide also details how municipalities should prepare. Among other measures, they should classify buildings and homes as seismic-resistant or not, inform residents, mark safety zones and evacuation routes, and identify the most vulnerable groups and potential shelter locations with supply, health, and social assistance areas.
According to the Emergency Plan for Seismic Risk in Andalusia, in the event of an earthquake, a monitoring committee would be activated to assess the situation, and the municipality should implement its local emergency plan. Communication with the public would be conducted via loudspeakers, radio, local television, and mass messages through mobile, landline, and fax, with clear and concise alerts.
The deputy for Security and Emergencies, Luis Rodríguez, emphasizes that information is essential for the population to "be prepared for such an emergency, avoiding situations that could affect their safety".
"Thus, it is crucial to disseminate basic advice on what to do and what not to do. It is not about causing alarm, but about being prepared and knowing how to act to avoid behaviours or actions that could have negative repercussions".
The guide is part of a seismic hazard map that the Provincial Council made available to the municipalities in the province so they can adapt their emergency plans and know how to react to a seismic event.
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