GROUP 3

BY BEING RESPONSIBLE
you can stop these disasters from happening

EFFECTS OF DISASTERS
If you have not yet experienced any disaster in your life, it
is hard for you to imagine on how you will handle the
situation. Coping with the human suffering and confusion
of a disaster requires a certain inner strength. Disasters
can cause you to lose loved ones, neighbours or friends. It
can cause you to lose your home, property, and source of
livelihood.

EFFECTS OF DISASTERS
The emotional effects of loss and disruption can show up
right away or may appear weeks or months later. But
remember that everyone is capable of recovering from
disasters; no matter how extreme it is, thus returning to a
normal life again.

REACTIONS OF PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCE

DISASTERS
Since disaster usually happens quickly and without
warning, it can be very scary for both adults and children.
It may cause you to leave your home, your daily routine
and deal with many varied emotions However, you have to
realize that all these are normal behaviours. It is very
important that you understand no matter what the loss is,
there is a natural grieving process and every person will
handle that process differently.

LISTED BELOW ARE SOME NORMAL REACTIONS OF PEOPLE:

A. Right after disaster

Shock
Fear
Disbelief
Difficulty in making decisions
Refusal to leave home or area
Wont find help or help others

B. Days, Weeks, or Months

Anger or moodiness
Depression
Loss of weight
Change in appetite
nightmares

Crying for no reason

Isolation
Guilt
Anxiety
Domestic violence

EMOTIONAL RECOVERY TIPS FOR ADULTS AND KIDS

The following strategies can be done for emotional recovery:
1. Recognize your own feelings so you can deal with them properly
and responsibly.
2. Talking to others relieve stress and helps you realize you are not
alone. Other victims are struggling with the same emotions,
including your own family. Dont leave out the little ones, let them
talk about their feelings and share your feelings with them.
3. Realize that other people who would like to help you are really
sincere, so allow them to help you.

EMOTIONAL RECOVERY TIPS FOR ADULTS AND KIDS

4. Take some time off and do something to enjoy relieving you from
stress. Enjoy the company of your family.
5. Get as much rest as possible. Stress can exhaust you.
6. Just go on with your routine schedule. Be realistic and do the
necessary pace in your schedule.
7. Exercise or work out to release stress or pent-up energy.
8. A hug or gentle touch such as holding a hand or an arm is very
helpful during stressful situation.

EMOTIONAL RECOVERY TIPS FOR ADULTS AND KIDS

9. Be careful with your reaction because it has great impact on the
child if youre alarmed or worried they will be scared, if you cry,
they cry also.
10. Keep the family together as much as possible and include kids in
the discussion.
11. Ask the kids to express his views on what happened through
illustrations or drawings.

EMOTIONAL RECOVERY TIPS FOR ADULTS AND KIDS

12. Explain to the kids what a disaster is and why it happens using
facts and words within their level of understanding.
13. Assure the kids and family that they are safe to regain their
confidence.

1. HURRICANES AND
TYPHOONS

Hurricanes and typhoons both means

storm and are termed tropical
cyclones. The normal path of typhoons
is westward across the Philippines,
recurring northeast ward as they
approach Mainland, Asia.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

HURRICANES AND TYPHOONS?
1. Be familiar with the hurricane and typhoon warnings so
that everybody will be guided to the level of preparation
required.
2. Be aware of the possible dangers in ones vicinity.
Secure items that may topple down. Bring live stock to
safe areas.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

HURRICANES AND TYPHOONS?
3. Provide measures to minimize the disasters effect on
the ecosystem by providing infrastructure or security
against possible damage.
4. Prepare a personal evacuation plan. Take only necessary
items and secure the house properly before leaving

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

HURRICANES AND TYPHOONS?
5. Assemble a personal disaster supply kit, consisting of
the following: first aid kit and essential medications;
canned goods and can opener; at least three galloons of
water; protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or
sleeping bags; battery powered radio, flashlight, and
extra batteries; special items for infants, elderly, or
disabled family members.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

HURRICANES AND TYPHOONS?
6. If not advised to evacuate, people should stay indoors
and away from windows.
7. Stay away from floodwaters as they become dangerous
and unpredictable in a storm.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

HURRICANES AND TYPHOONS?
8. When authorities advise going back to individual
homes, first inspect it for damages. The house may be
unsafe to enter.

9. Use flashlights in the dark. Candles, lighters, or matches

may cause fire if there is a gas leak.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

HURRICANES AND TYPHOONS?
10. Be alert for tornadoes. Tornadoes can occur during and
after a hurricane. Remain indoors, and at the center of the
house, a closet or a bathroom without windows. It is
advisable to stay in the basement.

2. EARTHQUAKES

Earthquake is the sudden, massive

shaking of land. Its caused by
volcanic eruptions or tectonic plate
movements. Earthquake can be
disastrous depending on their
intensity and proximity to
population centers and physical
infrastructure.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

AN EARTHQUAKE?
1. Have a calm composure and get out of the house
during earthquakes. Panic is the greatest enemy. A
cool head can respond well during emergencies.

2. Have a reserved rations, medicine, and water at all

times. These will be needed close down.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

AN EARTHQUAKE?
3. Repair damaged parts of the house after a major
earthquake. This should be done immediately to prevent
further damages during after shocks and to protect those
who will get into the house
4. Encourage the community to come up with an
earthquake preparedness campaign.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

AN EARTHQUAKE?
5. Be ready for the possible after effects of disasters, such
as loss of jobs, and develop positive outlook in life.
6. Work with the community and the government to
rehabilitate the systems in the community.

WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE DO DURING

AN EARTHQUAKE?

WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE DO DURING

AN EARTHQUAKE?
I
N
D
O
O
R
S

DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!)

TAKE COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and
HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.
In modern buildings, falling down, or being struck by falling objects causes most
earthquake-related injuries. DROP, COVER and HOLD ON immediately.
STAY INDOORS, do not exit building or use elevators.
STAY AWAY from all windows and large glass objects.
AVOID being underneath heavier objects such as lights, wall hangings and other items
which may fall.
HELP DIRECT people with special needs to a safe place, if necessary.
Wheelchair-bound individuals should lock brakes.

WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE DO DURING

AN EARTHQUAKE?
O
U
T
D
O
O
R
S

Move to an area AWAY FROM trees, power lines, buildings and

walls.
DROP TO KNEES and get into a fetal position, close your eyes
and cross your arms over the back of your neck for protection.
REMAIN in position until shaking has stopped.

WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE DO AFTER

AN EARTHQUAKE?

DO NOT USE cell phones, EXCEPT to report serious injuries.

ASSIST in the building evacuation of people with special needs, if safe to do
so.
TUNE radios to an emergency broadcast or local radio stations for news
updates and instructions.
BE PREPARED to evacuate if instructed to do so. (The decision to evacuate
from campus will be based upon the severity of the earthquake and damage
to buildings).
IF INSTRUCTED to evacuate, see EVACUATION section of this guide.
DO NOT ENTER any building that is deemed or looks UNSAFE.

3. VOLCANOES

Volcanoes are natural vents that

allow the Earth and other planets
to cool off. With their warm
mantles, heat inside planets
escapes towards their surfaces.
When hot molten rocks, magma,
and pressured gases break
through the crust, an eruption
occurs.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

VOLCANIC ERUPTION?
1. Be familiar with community warning systems and
emergency plans. Get out of the specified danger
zones. Follow warnings of authorities.

2. Develop a workable emergency communication plan.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

VOLCANIC ERUPTION?
3. Be ready with disaster supplies; flashlight and extra
batteries, first aid kit and manual, emergency food and
water, can opener, essential medicines, dust mask, and
sturdy shoes.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

VOLCANIC ERUPTION?
4. If caught indoors; close all windows, doors and
dampers; put all machinery inside a garaged or barn;
bring animals and livestock into closed shelters.

4. LANDSLIDES

Landslides are large masses

of rock and soil along a slope,
which fall, slide, or flow
rapidly under the force of
gravity. When heavy rains fall,
it may cause landslides.
Water adds extra weight to
soil, which can cause stress
build up in the soil strata.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

LANDSLIDES?
1. Prior to intense storms, people should become familiar
with their vicinity. Slopes where debris flows and
landslides have occurred in the past are likely to
experience again in the future.
2. During intense storms, stay awake and alert. Many debris
flows and landslides fatalities occur when people are
sleeping. Listen to radio for warnings of intense rainfall.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

LANDSLIDES?
3. If situated in areas susceptible to landslides and
debris flows, consider leaving when it is safe to do so.
4. Listen to any unusual sounds that might indicate
moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders
knocking together.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

LANDSLIDES?
5. Learn to recognize landslide warning signs, such as new
crack plasters, tiles, bricks or foundations.
6. Replant damaged ground as soon as possible. Erosion
caused by the loss of ground can lead to flash flooding.

5. FLOODING

Flooding is the accumulation

of water to a level that
submerges an area for a
period of time. Flooding in
urban areas is caused by
inefficient drainage systems.
In rural areas, the sudden
rush of water from mountain
areas causes flash floods.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

FLOODING?
1. Maintain garbage-free drainage canals. This will allow
freedom in water flow and prevent flooding.
2. Avoid throwing garbage on the streets as this will get into
waterways.
3. Have an unpaved or semi-paved area to allow water to seep
into the ground. This will lessen overland flow.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

FLOODING?
4. Support legislation prohibiting dumping garbage in the
street.
5. Participate in reforestation program.
6. Plant trees that will absorb excess water.
7. Be aware of streams, drainage channels and areas
known to flood suddenly.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

FLOODING?
8. Consider health and safety needs. Wash hands
frequently with soap clean water if in contact with
floodwaters.

9. Throw away food that has come in contact with

floodwaters

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

FLOODING?
10. Remember that floodwaters can be extremely
dangerous. The best protection during a flood is to
leave the area and go to higher ground.

6. TSUNAMI

A tsunami is generally a wave

train, or a series of waves,
generated in a body of water by
an impulsive disturbance that
vertically displaces water and
continues to move in a lateral
direction. Earthquakes, landslides,
volcanic eruptions, and explosions
can generate tsunamis.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

TSUNAMI?
1. Be familiar with the tsunami warning signs. Because an
underwater disturbance or an earthquake can cause
tsunamis, people along the coast should consider an
earthquake rumbling as a warning signal. A noticeable
rapid rise or fall in coastal waters is also a sign that a
tsunami is approaching.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

TSUNAMI?
2. Find out if ones home is in danger area.
3. Make evacuation plans. Pick an inland location that is
elevated. After an earthquake or other natural disaster,
roads in and out of the vicinity may be blocked, so pick
more than one evacuation route.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

TSUNAMI?
4. Once a tsunami warning is sounded, move to a higher
ground and stay there until local authorities say it is safe
to return home.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO PREPARE FOR

TSUNAMI?
5. Develop an emergency communication plan. In case
family members are separated from one another during
a tsunami, have a plan for getting back together.

7. FIRE

HELP PREVENT FIRES

Avoid smoking in bed, or when drowsy or medicated. Bed linens
are highly combustible. It is easier to be burned, and highly likely
individuals will suffer severe burns, when fires start in beds.
Drowsy or medicated people may forget lit materials, resulting in
fire.
Provide smokers with deep, sturdy ash trays. Douse cigarette and
cigar butts with water before disposal. Smoking materials is the
leading cause of residential fire deaths in the United States.
Keep matches and lighters up high, away from children, preferably
in a locked cabinet. Children are fascinated by fire and may play
with matches and lighters if they are not kept out of reach.

HELP PREVENT FIRES

Make sure your home heating source is clean and in working order. Many
home fires are started by poorly maintained furnaces or stoves, cracked or
rusted furnace parts, or chimneys with creosote buildup.
Use portable heaters in well-ventilated rooms only. Keep blankets, clothing,
curtains, furniture, and anything that could get hot and catch fire at least three
feet away from all heat sources. Plug heaters directly into the wall socket and
unplug them when they are not in use. Portable heaters use oxygen and
produce potentially toxic gases. It is best to keep them well-ventilated to
avoid gas build-up.
Use kerosene heaters only if permitted by law in your area. Refuel kerosene
heaters outdoors only, after they have cooled. Kerosene has a low flash point. If
mistakenly dripped on hot surfaces, it can cause fires.

HELP PREVENT FIRES

Keep the stove area clean and clear of combustibles, such as towels,
clothing, curtains, bags, boxes, and other appliances. Combustible
materials near stoves may catch fire quickly when your attention is
elsewhere.
Cook with short or restrained sleeves. Loose sleeves can catch fire
quickly.

HELP PREVENT FIRES

Conduct a home hazard hunt. Many things around the home can be fire
hazards. Taking time to look for and eliminate hazards greatly reduces your
risk.
Check electrical wiring in your home. Fix frayed extension cords,
exposed wires, or loose plugs.
Make sure wiring is not under rugs, over nails, or in high traffic areas.
Outlets should have cover plates and no exposed wiring.
Avoid overloading outlets or extension cords.
Only purchase appliances and electrical devices that bear the label of a
testing laboratory such as Underwriter's Laboratories (UL), Factory
Mutual (FM), etc.
Store combustible materials in open areas away from heat sources.
Place rags used to apply household chemicals in metal containers with
tight-fitting lids.

WHAT TO DO DURING A FIRE

Get out as quickly and as safely as possible. The less time you are exposed to
poisonous gases, the safer you will be.
If a stove fire starts, slide a lid over the burning pan and turn off the burner.
Leave the lid in place until the pan is completely cool. Using a lid to contain and
smother the fire is your safest action. Getting the fire extinguisher or baking
soda to extinguish the fire delays action. Flour and other cooking products can
react explosively to flame and should never be sprinkled over fire. Moving the
pan can cause serious injury or spread the fire. Never pour water on grease
fires.

WHAT TO DO DURING A FIRE

If you try to use a fire extinguisher on a fire and the fire does not immediately
die down, drop the extinguisher and get out. Most portable extinguishers
empty in 8 to 10 seconds. After some residential fires, people have been
found dead with fire extinguishers near them or in their arms.
If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door, cracks, and
doorknob with the back of your hand before opening the door. If it is cool and
there is no smoke at the bottom or top, open the door slowly. If you see
smoke or fire beyond the door, close it and use your second way out. If the
door is warm, use your second way out. It is a natural tendency to
automatically use the door, but fire may be right outside. Feeling the door will
warn you of possible danger.

WHAT TO DO DURING A FIRE

If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route, use your second way
out. The less time you are exposed to poisonous gases or flames, the
safer you will be.
If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to your
exit. Fires produce many poisonous gases. Some are heavy and will sink
low to the floor; others will rise carrying soot towards the ceiling.
Crawling with your head at a level of one to two feet above the ground
will temporarily provide the best air.
Close doors behind you as you escape to delay the spread of the fire.

WHAT TO DO DURING A FIRE

If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes and you cannot get
outside safely, stay in the room with the door closed. Open the window
for ventilation, and hang a sheet outside the window so firefighters can
find you. Wait by the window for help. The first thing firefighters will do
when they arrive at a fire is check for trapped persons. Hanging a sheet
out lets them know where to find you. If there is a phone in the room, call
the fire department and tell them where you are.
Once you are out, stay out! Firefighters are trained and equipped to
enter burning buildings. If someone is still inside, direct them to that
person's probable location.

WHAT TO DO DURING A FIRE

Get out first, away from toxic smoke and gases, then call the fire department
from a neighbor's home or from an outside phone. If a portable phone is handy
during your escape, you may take it with you, but do not waste precious time
looking for one. Use your neighbor's phone, a car phone, or nearby pay phone
to call for help