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Protect Yourself In The Event Of a Disaster

Kagawa Prefecture is known for its gentle climate all year round, however in 2004, 9 typhoons hit Kagawa, causing serious damage.
Also, we are told that within the next 50 years, a big earthquake will definitely hit Kagawa.
In order to reduce the damage caused by natural disasters as much as possible, it is important for everyone to know what to do if such a disaster occurs. For foreign people in particular, there is a lot you don’t know about earthquakes, so please think about this for a second, “What would you do if there was an earthquake?”

１.　Earthquakes
(１）What you need to know about earthquakes.
(２）What should you do if there is an earthquake?
(３）What should I do if I’m in an earthquake in these kind of places?

２.　Typhoons
(１）What you need to know about typhoons.
(２）If a typhoon should approach
(３）If a typhoon hits
(４）During evacuation

３.　Things to Have Ready at All Times
(１）Disaster prevention training (what to do in case of a disaster)
(２）Talk within your family
(３）Checklist of items to be prepared for an emergency

Japan is a country which has a lot of earthquakes. In 1995 a large earthquake hit Hyogo Prefecture and caused many deaths and injuries. In 2003 there was a large earthquake in Miyagi Prefecture.
Earthquakes are caused by the movements of Tectonic Plates (large pieces of the Earth’s surface). The ground shakes violently, and large earthquakes can break buildings, causing fires and on the coast, tsunami (giant waves) are sometimes formed.

We use the word “Shindo” to describe the force or size of an earthquake. “Shindo” ranges from 0 - 7. The damage and perceived strength are shown on a 10-level scale. Also, to show an earthquake’s scope and energy, the term Magnitude is used.

Shindo 0	No shaking is felt
Shindo 1	Some people inside buildings may feel shaking.
Shindo 2	Many people inside buildings feel shaking. Hanging items shake a little.
Shindo 3	Most people inside buildings feel shaking. Some people will be scared.
Shindo 4	Most sleeping people will be woken up by the shaking. Hanging items will shake badly. Many people will be frightened.
Shindo 5 (Weak)	The shaking will make it difficult to move for some people. Inside, tableware and books will fall from shelves.
Shindo 5 (Strong)	Many people will find it difficult to move because of the shaking. Large cupboards and furniture may fall over. Buildings may be damaged and doors may become stuck.
Shindo 6 (Weak)	It becomes difficult to stand up. Windows smashing and tiles falling from roofs may occur.
Shindo 6 (Strong)	Standing up is impossible. Heavy furniture will fall over. Doors may become unhinged.
Shindo 7	Shaking is so powerful it is impossible to move freely. Large cracks appear in the ground and on mountainsides. Glass from windows and tiles will fall from many buildings.

An Earthquake!
�@　Protect yourself!
Guarding your head with a pillow or blanket, calmly hide under a sturdy table or something similar, away from other large objects of furniture.
If you are close to a cliff, the coast, or a river, make your way away from the area as fast as is safely possible.
Doors may become stuck due to structural damage to buildings, so if possible, open doors to create an escape route.
If you rush outside, you may be hurt by falling glass or roof tiles. Make sure your surroundings are safe before exiting.

2 Minutes Later
�A　Reduce fire hazards!
If your stove or gas hobs are on, turn them off and shut off the gas at the wall. Turn off your electrical circuit-breakers. In case of a fire, alert your neighbours by shouting “Kaji da!” (Fire!).

5 Minutes Later
�B　Make sure your family is safe and make your way to a safe place!
Make sure your family are not injured and if your house is unsafe, prepare to make your way to a safe place.
If roads are congested, fire engines and ambulances will not be able to move freely, so make your way on foot. Be careful of things falling from tall buildings. Avoid narrow roads, walls, riversides and cliffs.

Afterwards
�C　Get correct information
After a large earthquake, incorrect information can be passed on easily. Listen carefully to the news on television and the radio, and do not be drawn in too easily by rumour.
If there are people in trouble around you, join up with them and work together to get help.

• In town
  Move to a safe place away from the sides of tall buildings. Be careful of things such as glass falling from above.
  
  
  
  
  
• Driving a car
  If you feel an earthquake, hold the steering wheel firmly, and stop the care in a controlled way. Park the car on the left side of the road and turn off the engine. If you have to leave the vehicle, leave the keys in the ignition and your contact details in a prominent place, and take the vehicle’s shaken certification (vehicle's inspection Certificate) with you. Leave on foot.
  
  
  
• On a train or a bus
  Pay attention to the orders of the train staff or bus driver. Leave the area calmly.
  
  
  
• In a tall building
  Never use the elevators during an earthquake. Calmly leave the building via the emergency staircase.
  
  
  
• At night, if you’re a sleep
  You may not be able to see fallen objects if the area is pitch-dark, so be careful of your footing at all times as you leave the area.

A typhoon is a tropical cyclone which is created over warm seas, with winds over 17m/s at its epicenter. Typhoons occur all year round but usually strike Japan in the autumn.
Kagawa prefecture historically has not suffered very much typhoon damage, but in 2004, 9 typhoons struck Kagawa and much damage was caused by the heavy rains (O-Ame), flood tides (Takashio) and high winds (BoFu).

A typhoon’s force is measured on two factors, its size and its strength.

• 　Size ・・・the radius of the typhoon is used to measure its size.
  There are 2 sizes of typhoon; large or extra-large.


• 　Strength・・・ The wind speed of a typhoon is used to measure its strength.
  Typhoons have 3 levels of strength; Strong, Extremely Strong or Raging.

�@　Look out for typhoon warning information.
Listen closely to warnings on the radio and television. Watch out for warnings and advisories.

• Strong/violent・winds warning
  (boufuu or kyoufuu keihou/chuuihou)・・・・・・・Strong winds and gusts may cause dangerous situations.
• High wave warning
  (harou keihou/chuuihou) ・・・・・・・Waves are higher than usual due to strong winds.
• Tide surge/high tide warning
  (takashio keihou/chuuihou)・・・・・・・Seawater may flood and enter buildings.
• Heavy rains warning
  (ooame keihou/chuuihou) ・・・・・・・Heavy rains may cause leaks, landslides.
• Flood warning
  (kouzui keihou/chuuihou)・・・・・・・Heavy rain causes river levels to rise and possibly flood.

�A　Clean up dangerous items from around your home.
Things such as potted plants, etc., that may be blown off by strong winds, should be placed inside the house. Tape over glass windows and close curtains and blinds tightly.

�B　Have an emergency preparedness kit ready.
Keep water and nonperishable food in an emergency bag, and fill the bath with water.

�C　Stay away from dangerous places.
Mountainsides can become unstable in heavy rain and shift; along with cliffs and bluffs they may also slide away. Stay away from the ocean and rivers.

�D　Beware of items blown toward you by heavy winds.
People may be knocked down by wind, or be hit and injured by roof tiles dislodged and blown away.
If you must go outside, wear a helmet or hat.

�@　Check the most recent news reports.
Keep up with television and radio news coverage of the typhoon. The decision to remain in one’s house or to evacuate should be made calmly and after careful consideration.

�A　Try not to go outside.
Heavy rains cause water levels to rise, including rives and storm/sewage drains. Being knocked down by this rising water is a common cause of injury; it’s best to stay inside, but if that environment becomes unsafe, one should evacuate to a safer location.

If city or town officials consider the area unsafe, an evacuation notice will be sent out through the area and residents should evacuate as quickly as possible. If you feel unsafe in your current location, you should evacuate even if there hasn’t yet been a notice.

�@　Things to check before evacuating:

• 　extinguish any fires (gas stoves, heaters, cigarettes, etc.)
• 　close your house (lock the doors)

�A　Things to bring:

• 　as little luggage/baggage as possible
• 　put anything you are bringing into a backpack so that you can still use both hands
• 　guard your head with a helmet or a hat
• 　do not put on rubber boots wear shoes with laces and lace them tightly

�B　Things to watch for when evacuating:

• 　do not evacuate alone: go with someone from the neighborhood and evacuate to a designated safe place
• 　don’t go near dangerous places when evacuating
• 　beware of rising water levels, especially near rivers and the ocean

What would you do in the event of a fire or earthquake? Where would you evacuate to? Disaster prevention training allows you to experience and think about what you should do in case of an emergency. The town or city that you are living in holds this sort of training-why don’t you give it a try?

The approach of a typhoon is predictable to an extent, but an earthquake may happen at any time. Make sure you and your family know what you will do in case it does:

• 　Where is a safe place to evacuate to?
• 　How should you get to the safe place?
• 　Where is the safest place in your home?
• 　Who will carry what things when you evacuate?
• 　Where will the family meet up if you are separated?
• 　How will you contact each other? 　

Electricity or water service may be cut off after an earthquake or typhoon; in addition, it may not be possible to buy necessary items for a number of days. In order to weather the shortage, the following things should be prepared well in advance, and packed in a large backpack so that they are easily carried in case evacuation is necessary.
The following checklist is an example of some good things to have. Talk it over with your family and see if there are other things you should add.
In addition, check the items once a year, and trade out old ones with new if necessary.

□　drinking water
□　foods
□　valuables (bank book, personal seal, money)
□　medicine
□　helmet, hat
□　heavy gloves
□　underwear and a change of clothes
□　an FM radio and fresh batteries
□　flashlight
□　tissues
□　pens, pencils, and memo pad
□　paper diapers, powdered milk (for a house with an infant)
□　glasses
□　plastic wrap