Every family must have a disaster plan!

Two earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.7 and 7.6 in Kahramanmaraş caused great destruction in Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Diyarbakır, Adana, Osmaniye, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Adıyaman, Malatya and Hatay. The earthquake disaster, in which thousands of people lost their lives, also brought up the measures to be taken before the earthquake. OHS Specialist Dr. Rüştü Uçan drew attention to the “Family Disaster Response Plan” to be prepared in cooperation with family members in preparation for major disasters such as earthquakes. Dr. Rüştü Uçan said that "Family Disaster Response Plan is a necessity of conscious life," and stated that the safest and risky places at home should be determined by considering the structural and non-structural hazards. He said that it should be specified by drawing the sketch of living spaces, places that could be a triangle of life, places where disaster and emergency bags can be put, places that could be dangerous and alternative exit or escape routes.

Experts warn…

Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences Occupational Health and Safety Department Head Dr. Rüştü Uçan reminded the importance of family members to act without panic in case of any disaster, especially earthquake. Dr. Rüştü Uçan said that the Family Disaster Response Plan should be made together with all family members.

A plan ensures correct action without panic

Stating that the Family Disaster Plan is “the plan that should be made to ensure that family members can act correctly in any disaster situation without panicking”, Dr. Rüştü Uçan said, “In the event of a disaster, all family members may be together, but all or some of them may not be together due to living conditions. For this reason, it is a plan that should be made in order for family members to act correctly without panic in case of any disaster. This plan is a very important requirement of conscious life, and in fact, living in a planned manner regarding all aspects of life is one of the most basic conditions of happiness.”.

It must be planned where to gather

Dr. Rüştü Uçan mentioned the points that should be included in the Family Disaster Response Plan and Dr. Rüştü Uçan said, “In this plan, it must be included information such as, in-province /outside of the province contact information that can be reached directly or indirectly to family members, where and how best to come together if they are in separate places, what to do if it is not possible to gather, personal information of family members ( chronic disease, disability, pregnancy, etc.) and the technical features of the communication devices used to make communication more effective.”.

Information on your pets should also be included

Emphasizing that two responsible people should be determined in the Family Disaster Response Plan, Dr. Rüştü Uçan said, “In the plan, just like family members, specifying the information of peoples such as cleaning staff, babysitters, guests, if any, specifying information about adopted pets. In the plan, considering the difficult conditions of the first responsible person, the second responsible should be determined and the necessary things should be specified so that they can act exactly as the first responsible when necessary.”.

The plan must be determined according to the first 72 hours

Stating that the plan should be determined according to the 72 hours after the disaster, which is mainly expressed as "golden hours", Dr. Rüştü Uçan made following statements;

“- It should be a priority to determine the safest and risky places of living spaces such as homes and workplaces, considering structural and non-structural hazards.

- By drawing the sketch of the living areas, especially where the triangle of life can be,

- Places where disaster and emergency bags can be placed,

- Hazardous locations and alternative exit or escape routes should be indicated.

- The places where electricity, natural gas and water main valves/switches, first aid cabinet, fire extinguisher, chemical or dangerous substances if any, and materials such as searchlights are located in the living areas should be indicated on the sketch.”.

Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)