Disaster Safety Considerations for your House

The past few days have tested just how we as a country are prepared. Aside from videos of building swaying in Metro Manila, we saw less of the damages it has done to homes. An earthquake, among other disasters, is something we and even our house builders are not very prepared for here in the Philippines. What can we do to keep increase our chances of surviving an earthquake in the worst of cases?

Install Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers seem like a sudden and expensive choice for disaster preparedness but in a country as hot as the Philippines where houses made from light weight and mostly flammable material are built one next to the other, setting a domino fire is a real risk. Fire extinguishers have greater potency in killing fires than just using water. They effectively suffocate the fire regardless of source like oil, gas leaks, or plastics and silicates burning.

Reconsider your Choice in Furniture

In the event of an earthquake, if you are indoors, getting under a sturdy piece of furniture could mean life or death. Reassess every furniture you have. Can the dining table withstand a layer of concrete? Are the glass countertops worth their value in safety? Are cabinets secured enough to not pin residents down together with debris? House builders can help you redesign your Philippine home with earthquake survivability in mind.

Know the Foundationary Architecture of your Home

When the ceiling collapses, the last thing that might be left standing are the foundations. It might be a good idea to place safety furniture around the area but only if it’s also safe from other hazards such as electrical, gas, and water pipings.

Prep and Practice for Disaster

There is no other way to survive a disaster than to have muscle memory that’s ready for it. If you found yourself just staring at the ceiling while the light flickered and the tables and cabinets swayed, bad news—you spaced out and are not prepared for worst cases. Practice getting under furniture even at home. Make sure to not forget to instruct and practice with the kids, the elderly, and the house help. If you house builder makes improvements on your home, run everyone through it to share awareness. Safety in the Philippines is an issue that we’ve always neglected because we don’t take things too seriously as a nation but now that it’s reared its head, maybe—just maybe—we can look it in the eye with more vigilance and foresight.