After the recent earthquakes that shook the Philippines, a question begs to be answered: are today’s high-rise condominiums safe from earthquakes?

Based on the National Building Code of the Philippines, the National Structure Code of the Philippines sets strict standards for developers and construction companies designed to keep buildings from sustaining major structural damage and protect homeowners when natural calamities such as strong earthquakes strike.

While the country has strict building codes designed to be resilient to intensity 8 earthquakes, it is a not reason to be complacent.  Increase your chances with these 12 safety tips for surviving in your condo during earthquakes.

Before the Earthquake

Develop an earthquake readiness plan

Discuss possible disaster scenarios and evacuation plans with your family.  Sketch a floor plan of your home to mark where the safety spots and exits are in each room.  Have a clear agreement on rendezvous spot should you get separated during an evacuation.

Also, familiarize yourself and your family with emergency hotlines to call in times of distress.

Secure the heavy furniture

Bookshelves, wardrobes, and other objects may fall over during a strong earthquake.  To minimize the risk of head injuries caused by falling objects, bolt the bookcases to wall studs, install strong latches on cupboards, and anchor the heavy furniture on the floor.

Pack an emergency kit

Prepare an emergency kit for each member of the family to use when the need to evacuate arises. The individual emergency kit must include at least your basic needs such as:

    • Drinking water enough for three days
    • Non-perishable and easy-to-prepare food enough for three days
    • Whistle
    • Flashlight and batteries
    • First aid kit and personal medications
    • Multipurpose tool
    • Phone, power bank and charger
    • Warm clothes
    • Toiletries and personal hygiene items
    • Cash, preferably in small bills
    • Important documents such as IDs, passports, deed or lease to the condo and other properties, insurance policies, medical information

During the Earthquake

Duck, Cover, and Hold

Keep calm and duck, cover, and hold under a desk or table until the shaking subsides.  Drop on your arms and knees and hide under the sturdiest table in your condo unit.  Try to relax but watch out for anything that can fall on you.

Find Your Safe Place

When the ducking under sturdy furniture is not applicable, the next best thing is to find another safe spot.  Seek shelter near an interior wall of your condo unit or under the support beams and cover your head and neck with your arms.

Know the Hazards

With glassware and knives that can fall, appliances that can short circuit, and a stove that can start a fire, the kitchen is an accident waiting to happen.  Avoid hiding in the kitchen during an earthquake. Also, stay away from glass windows and other fragile items that can break.

Stay in bed

When earthquakes happen at night while you are asleep, do not get out of in bed. Use your pillow to cover your head and neck. Leave only when there is a ceiling fixture or other debris that might fall.

Wait it out

A building swaying can make you dizzy and cause you to fall down. Wait until the shaking stops before walking out of your condo.  Wait also for possible aftershocks.  Aftershocks can occur within seconds, minutes, hours or even days after the first main quake, best to stay alert.  Leave your home only when you are sure it is safe.

After the Earthquake

Don’t ride the elevator

Don’t use the elevator when leaving the building.  Electrical power may go out and will trap you inside the elevator.  Best to use the stairs when exiting the building.

Find a clear spot

Once outdoors, find an open area away from damaged buildings, power lines, glass windows, and panicking people.  Injuries can occur from unexpected objects, such as water spilling from swimming pool penthouse, thrown from above or the side.

Provide first aid

Immediately check to see if you, your family or anyone near you is injured. If you have been trained in first aid, lend your skills where you can and call the emergency hotline where you cannot.

Expect aftershocks

Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that follow the main shock of an earthquake sequence.  They can occur over a period of weeks, months or years, steadily decreasing in magnitude and frequency.   Generally, the larger the main shock, the larger and more numerous the aftershocks.

Lessons from past disasters prompted the government, condo developers, and construction companies to improve building codes and build stronger structures.  These led to modern high-rise condos safer and better than low-rise buildings.  There are also condominiums that are engineered with sophisticated damper technology to withstand vibrations from seismic waves and strong typhoons.

Lessons from past disasters should also teach us the preparation is key to survival.  Make sure to inspect your condo and identify its safety features and hazard spots during disasters.  Prepare a family emergency plan, stock on supplies and stay calm so you can better protect yourself and your loved ones during earthquakes.


Photo from Philippine Star
It is that time of the year again. The time when pouring rain and cold winds make us wish we can stay forever in bed, with the gentle tapping of the rain lulling us to sleep.

Unfortunately, the rainy season brings not only rains, but also winds, floods, thunderbolts, and ever-looming dread. With the Philippines located within the most active tropical cyclone basin, the Northwestern Pacific Ocean, it is only expected that we get at least a few terrible storms a year. So instead of getting paralyzed by fear every time a typhoon comes calling, here are a few things we can do to safely ride out the storm:

BEFORE THE STORM
• Keep yourself updated with the typhoon movements. Watch the news for weather updates, storm warning signals and flood alerts from Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

• Inspect your house for holes in the roof, cracks on the walls and clogs in the drains. Fix it as soon as possible. Secure lawn furniture and other loose objects like planters and children’s toys.

• Prepare an emergency kit for each member of the family. The kit must include at least a three-day supply of drinking water and non-perishable food, first aid kit, medicine, toiletries, whistle, flashlight, batteries, radio, warm clothes, important documents, and cash. Also, ensure that your cell phones and power banks are fully charged.

• Develop a family emergency plan. Discuss disaster scenarios with the family and make sure that everyone knows what to do. Determine a safe rendezvous point in case family members get separated during the calamity. Teach the children to call emergency hotlines in times of distress.


Directory of Emergency Hotlines from Philippine Star
• If you are advised to evacuate, leave as early as possible or while there is daylight. Before leaving the house, shut off the electricity, water, and gas. Move the furniture and appliance in higher areas, or on the second floor if you live in a multi-story house. Lock doors and seal windows, and take your emergency kit with you.

DURING THE STORM
• Stay indoors, and secure family and pets. Keep yourself updated for weather updates and flood warnings through TV, radio or internet.

• Avoid wading through floodwater to avoid getting electrocuted or contracting disease. If you have to go through floodwater, wear protective gear such as raincoats and boots.

• If you suspect that your drinking water is contaminated, boil the water for at least 20 minutes to kill bacteria.
• Unattended candles and gas lamps can lead to a house fire. Use flashlights and batteries instead.

• Use your phone sparingly to preserve battery life and to give way to more important calls to come through like rescue and relief operations.

AFTER THE STORM
• Return home only after the authorities deemed your area safe. Check your house for damages and dangerous animals before entering. If damages are minor, fix it immediately. If your home is heavily damaged, stay in an evacuation center or a nearby relative or friend.

• Do not drive into flooded areas, especially in 12 inches of moving water. An average car can be swept off the road and stall the car engine. Turn around and look for another route.

• Watch out for live wires and electrical outlets that may have been submerged in water. Do not turn on electricity switches unless you are sure it is dry and safe to do so. Report damaged electrical cables and fallen posts to the authorities.

• Boil water before drinking or preparing food to avoid contamination. Tap water may be contaminated due to broken pipes.

• Clean up. Dispose of the debris in your house and surrounding areas. Be careful using a chainsaw when cutting fallen trees. Throw the accumulated stagnant water that may be a ground for mosquitoes to breed.

The Philippines receives an average of 6-7 storms per year, not counting the torrential rains brought by the Habagat (Southwest Monsoon). With so many storms a year coming in every year, it pays to be alert and prepared. Be smart and stay alert. Remember it is better to be safe than sorry!