Mitigation Strategies Earthquake Mitigation Measures in Japan

Mitigation Strategies

Earthquake mitigation measures in Japan case

Bearing that the phenomena of earthquakes is very common in Japan, there is need therefore to ensure that the people living in this region have enough mitigation measures that will enable the security of human life, and if possible of structures. The earthquake mitigation measures are considered to be the simple skills that can lead to the safety of non-structure components and the items in a house with an aim of saving lives in the event of a disaster (Emergency Food Supply, 2012).

The mitigation measures run from the precautions that one takes as an individual to the measures taken to secure houses. According to the research conducted on the 1994 Northridge earthquake, 55% of the injuries were found to have been caused by falling furniture or objects within the households and only 1% were caused by the collapsing buildings (Emergency Food supplies). This then means that in as much as one may be taking personal precautions against the effects of the earthquake, it is equally important to ensure that the loose object within the house are safely stacked into one store and locked upon a warning of earthquake approaching. This measure should also be taken in the garages so as to secure our vehicles as well. These are measure stat will not only ensure saving of damage and financial costs, but ensure that your house will be a safe place to come back to once the alert has been lifted.

Since the shaking of the ground could be violent, one should ensure that the electronics like TV sets are unhooked from the power mains and all power sources shut out. If possible call the power guys to disconnect cables from your house totally just to be sure there is no possibility of fire breaking out. Use the lashings available to strap and lock the appliances that can topple over like the refrigerators and wall units.

Before deserting the house, one should ensure that they secure all the doors leading to the galleys so to prevent them from flying open during the tremors that may be violent. This will minimize the flying around of small objects that are within the house at that time.

Having tempered glass on the windows is an early mitigation measure since they are less likely to break in the event of an earthquake hence, it is advisable for builders in Japan to consider that while doing their constructions.

Since there are bound to be some hazardous material within the house, it is important to ensure that one separates these from food items, away from gas and water sources as well as water heaters. The flammable materials should also be put to the lower grounds like at basement, the hazardous materials or elements that could be contained in fragile bottles or other containers should be given extra protection by wrapping it in a foam.

Before the family vacates the house, they should ensure that all the water sources are switched off so as to avoid any possibility of flooding during the earthquake. The same should be done to the butterfly valves that channel gas into the house.