Md. Arafat Rahman:Bangladesh is in fact affected by two fault lines between India and Myanmar. Bangladesh is located in the tectonic plate of India, Eurasian and Myanmar. The two Indian and Eurasian plates since 1934 have been stuck in the foothills of the Himalayas for a long time, waiting for a major earthquake. There are 8 fault zones in Bangladesh. Although there are no guarantees of safety during an earthquake, identifying potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning can save lives and significantly reduce injuries and property damage. Repairing deep plaster cracks in ceilings and foundations, anchoring overhead lighting fixtures to the ceiling, and following local seismic building standards, will help reduce the impact of earthquakes. Trere are five types of works to do before an earthquake.

1. Checking for Hazards in the Home: a) Placing shelves securely to walls, b) Placing large or heavy objects on lower shelves, c) Storing breakable items such as bottled foods, and glass in low, closed cabinets with latches, d) Hanging heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit, e) Bracing overhead light fixtures, f) Repairing defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections, g) Securing a water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and bolting it to the floor, h) Repairing any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations i) Getting expert advice if there are signs of structural defects, j) Storing weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.

2. Identifying Safe Places Indoors and Outdoors:  a) Under sturdy furniture such as a heavy desk or table, b) Against an inside wall, c) Away from where glass could shatter around windows, mirrors, pictures, or where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could fall over, d) In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone and electrical lines, overpasses, or elevated expressways, e) Interior columns and beams, which can serve as safe zones.

3. Educating Family Members: a) Contacting local emergency management and also reading how to protect property from earthquakes, b) Teaching children how and when to call police, or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information, c) Teaching all family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water, d) Identifying escape routes within the building.

4. Developing an Emergency Communication Plan: a) In case family members are separated from one another during an earthquake (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), b) developing a plan for reuniting after the disaster, c) Asking an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact," so that after a disaster, it`s often easier to call long distance, d) Making sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person, e) Finding a well-known meeting place in the case that during the earthquake family members become separated.

5. Helping the Community Get Ready: a) Publishing a special section in local newspaper with emergency information on earthquakes, b) Localizing the information by printing the phone numbers of local emergency services offices and hospitals, c) Conducting a week-long series on locating hazards in the home, d) Working with local emergency services to prepare special reports for people with mobility impairments on what to do during an earthquake, e) Providing tips on conducting earthquake drills in the home, f) Interviewing representatives of the gas, electric, and water companies about shutting off utilities, g) Working together in the community to apply knowledge to building codes, retrofitting  programs, hazard hunts, and neighborhood and family emergency plan.

Staying as safe as possible during an earthquake is the first step. Some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimizing movements to nearby safe place and staying indoors until the shaking has stopped and ensuring safe exiting is the second step.

1. If indoors: a) Dropping to the ground, taking cover by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture and holding on until the shaking stops, b) If there isn’t a table or desk near, covering face and head with arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building, c) Staying away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture, d) Staying in bed if anyone is there when the earthquake strikes, e) Holding on and protecting head with a pillow, unless anyone under a heavy light fixture that could fall and in that case, moving to the nearest safe place, f) Using a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity and if it is a strongly supported, load bearing doorway, g) Staying inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside because research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings at tempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave, h) Be awaring that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on, i) not using the elevators.

2. If outdoors: a) Staying there, b) Moving away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires c) Once in the open, staying there until the shaking stops beacuse the greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

3. If in a moving vehicle: a) Stopping as quickly as safety permits and staying in the vehicle, b) Avoiding stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires, c) Proceeding cautiously once the earthquake has stopped, d) Avoiding roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

4. If trapped under debris: a) Not lighting a match, b) Not moving or kicking up dust, c) Covering mouth with a handkerchief or clothing, d) Tapping on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate, e) Using a whistle if one is available and f) Shouting only as a last resort because shouting can cause to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.