Students get briefing on earthquake-safety methods

THREE HUNDRED and eighty students and teachers at the Pratville Primary and Infant School in south Manchester participated in their first-ever earthquake awareness presentation and drill activity at the school recently. The school body was informed about the importance of being prepared for an earthquake.

The earthquake-awareness presentation and drill, which was organised as a part of the Jamalco in Schools Programme in commemoration of Earthquake Awareness Day, was done under the theme 'Earthquake Strikes Anywhere, Anytime. Be prepared, There Are No Signs'.

Parish coordinator for disaster preparedness at the Manchester Parish Council, Lajean Powell, in her presentation, highlighted the things that the children should and should not do during an earthquake. "Earthquakes occur without any warning and may be so violent that you cannot run or crawl. You therefore will most likely be knocked to the ground where you happen to be. So it is best to drop before the earthquake drops you and find nearby shelter, or use your arms and hands to protect your head and neck," explained Powell.

Practise the principles

She also advised the students that during an earthquake, they should practise the principle 'drop, cover and hold on'. "Drop down on to your hands and knees. Cover your head and neck. Hold on to your shelter or to your head and neck until the shaking stops. You need to protect yourself wherever you are," Powell said.

At the end of the presentation, the students and teachers participated in an earthquake evacuation drill.

Josephine Stultz, guidance counsellor said: "The presentation and exercise were very informative and provided a practical opportunity for the students. They were not only made aware of the dos and the don'ts but they also got a chance to put what they learnt into practice through the drills."

She further stated that an earthquake drill once every two months would be the new mantra for safety at the school.