What to do in case of a volcanic eruption

• April 27, 2024

The president's visit Barack Obama Indonesia will officially be shorter due to fear that the ashes of Merapi volcano may damage the engine of the presidential plane on its return to the United States, according to official statements by his administration.

According to recommendations of volcanologists from the University of Colima, if you live in an area near a volcano you must know the map of volcanic hazards that may affect you The maps delimit the areas of high, medium and low risk. It is essential to identify the evacuation routes and to plan the possibility of temporarily staying at the home of a relative or friend who does not live in the risk zone.

1.  If the possibility of a rash occurs and you and your family may be affected, evacuation is probably the only correct prevention measure. Find out about the measures of contingency plan from your locality and have at hand all the documents of value (identifications, titles of property, booklets).

2. If you have sick people in the family, report them in advance to the authorities to ensure transportation in case of a evacuation. You must be alert to the alarms (sirens, bells, whistles, horns) that can warn of the imminence of an eruption.

3.  Keep stored drinking water and non-perishable food to dispose of them at the time of an eventual evacuation; It covers the water tanks to prevent them from becoming contaminated with ash or gases. If you have animals, reserve grass, water and other foods and avoid consuming them if they are contaminated with ash.

4. Keep a first aid kit, a battery-powered radio, a good-looking flashlight and backup batteries. Be alert to instructions from the authorities and do not pay attention to rumors.

DURING a volcanic eruption

5. - Above all, keep calm; Panic can produce more victims than the natural phenomenon. Quickly gather your family, especially the children and the elderly, who are the most vulnerable people at the moment. The most important thing is your life, take only your personal items.

6. - Close the water and gas faucets, turn off the light and make sure to close doors and windows, and comply with the agreed emergency plans. Keep the radio on to receive the information transmitted by the corresponding authorities.

7. If you are away from home do not try to enter the risk zone, move to places far from the volcano; get away from valleys and rivers where they can lower flows of ash and hot rocks, lava, mud and gas fumes. Try not to be near lands that have suffered landslides. If the volcanic ash begins to fall, put into practice the following recommendations:

- Search for shelter under roof and stay there until the phenomenon has passed, - Breathe through a moistened cloth in water or vinegar, this will prevent the passage of gases and volcanic dust, - Protect your eyes Closing them as much as possible and cover yourself with a hat and thick clothes, - In case of a heavy rain of ash do not use the vehicle . The only protection against the rain of ash and volcanic material of considerable size are the refuges and reinforced ceilings. - Because the explosions of the volcano can cause air or shock waves that can break the windows, place X-shaped adhesive tapes, or in the last case, put boards that prevent the fall violent of them. - If you were evacuated and you are in a shelter, keep calm ; there you will receive food, medical attention, information and you will be able to participate in the maintenance work of it.

AFTER a volcanic eruption

8. Stay in the safe place until the authorities report that normalcy has returned. Do not try to return to your home sooner! Keep in tune your radio to receive instructions. Before entering your home, check that it has not been weakened by the eruption.

9. Avoid using telephone lines, roads, transportation, medical and hospital services if it is not strictly necessary. Remove the accumulation of volcanic material fallen on the roofs to prevent them from collapsing. This risk increases if rainfall occurs because the water increases the weight of the materials on the ceilings (a cubic meter of wet ash can weigh more than a ton).

10. Do not eat or drink foods that may be contaminated.

Video Medicine: How to Prepare for a Volcanic Eruption | Disasters (April 2024).