How to prevent natural disasters

Commonly known as natural disasters or catastrophesevery year numerous are given around the world extreme natural phenomena that carry damage to societies and the environment.

The negative consequences of these phenomena are due to the destruction force of them. Strong winds, gigantic waves, burning flames and ashes and other physical factors, are the main destructive elements that characterize the dreaded natural disasters. Faced with them, it is essential to raise awareness and prevention systems that responsible for both governments and populations in general.

You can inform yourself more in these other articles on types of natural disasters that exist and 7 natural disasters caused by man.

The main objective of the measures related to the Natural Disaster Prevention It focuses on the decrease in the negative impact that they entail, both at the level of losses of human lives (and other living beings), and in relation to material and environmental damage. In this section we will detail the most appropriate actions to prevent one or another type of specific natural disaster, depending on whether it is fires, floods and tsunamis, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions or earthquakes.

Prevent fires

• Follow the output indications until you reach a meeting point indicated for it in case of fire.
• If we are in a building close to a fire and, above all, if it has also caught fire, do not use the elevators.
• Stay away from large trees and buildings that can collapse due to the fire.
• Cover to prevent the skin from entering direct contact with the flames, as well as using masks to avoid inhaling the contaminating gases resulting from the combustion of the fire.

In this other article we speak in greater depth about how to prevent forest fires.

Prevent floods

• Faced with floods, the main measure of prevention is to place yourself somewhere high, if possible, more than 30 meters above sea level in natural terrain.
• It is important to avoid coastal and river channels, as well as be aware of the possible rise in the water level in areas likely to be stagnant and flooded (sewers, hollows on roads, etc.)
• In the event that the flood is due to the devastating action of a tsunami, the main thing is to stay away from the coast, since this is its main area of ​​devastation. Due to the frequency of devastating waves that the action of the tsunami can generate (about 10 waves in 12 hours), the prevention measures must be maintained during that period. Learn more about this phenomenon here: how tsunamis are formed.

In addition, you can consult this link in which you will see information about the causes and consequences of floods.

Hurricanes

• Having a shelter and water and food reserves to deal with the arrival of the hurricane, since probably the devastating consequences of the natural phenomenon will force to remain isolated for a while.
• Use protection structures in windows, doors and areas susceptible to flooding and/or suffering damage due to strong winds and hurricane storms, avoiding placing them close to them during the passage of it.

Find out more here: Hurricanes: What are they, how they are formed and categories

Volcanic eruptions

• According to the strength and pressure with which volcanic eruption has occurred, as well as the types of materials that have been emitted (lava, ashes, gases), the actions must be more or less intensive.
• It is important to stay away from the range of volcanic eruption, closing doors and windows to avoid respiratory problems in the face of the emission of gases and ashes.
• Likewise, staying away from areas susceptible to a landslide or lands, since the force of the eruption can lead to avalanche of materials that displace the earth, as well as estos.

To better learn this natural phenomenon, do not hesitate to read this other post about the types of volcanic eruptions.

Earthquakes or earthquakes

• The main action before an earthquake is to keep calm and follow the evacuation instructions if we are inside a building.
• It will always be advantageous under some table or furniture that protects us from the fall of lamps and any other object, as well as the breakage of windows and crystals.
• It is convenient not to use the elevators, as well as stop the vehicle if we are driving and go to places without buildings or large trees that can collapse due to the strength of the earthquake.

From Ecology Verde we recommend the reading of these other articles about the earthquake: what is, how it occurs and types, the difference between earthquakes, tremors and earthquakes and what are the main seismic and volcanic areas of the world.

Actions to prevent natural disasters

In the previous points we have summarized the most important way to do in each type of natural disaster situation as prevention measures of major disasters and loss of lives. Now as a summary, we explain some Natural Disaster Prevention Measures To prevent them from happening or getting as small as possible:

• Shelter construction or bunkers to use them in case of emergency.
• Prepare spaces firewall In fields and forests.
• Report situations that we can see that they can lead to a natural disaster (for example, bonfires in unable places).
• Carry out Control studies of this type of phenomena to be able to know when and where there is more likely that the disaster happens and with what force. With this knowledge, when necessary evacuations can be made on time.
• Make constructions in places as safe as possible (Avoid buildings attached to the channels of large rivers, on the skirt of a volcano, etc.).
• Attempt reduce pollution (both by governments and large organizations and by citizens).

The development of action strategies against the event of natural disasters must cover, in an essential way, both the implementation of short -term strategies, and in the medium and long term. Thus, within the short -term actions, those that we must carry out more immediately during the natural disaster event, include within the following four stagesordered from greater to lower priority. Take note of What to do during a natural disaster:

1. Keep calm.
2. Follow the indications of any person with civil liability (police, firefighters, security forces …).
3. Do not push or overwhelm other people when trying to leave.
4. Find the place of hiding place or more appropriate refuge (high sites in case of floods, under tables when suffering earthquakes, etc.).

On the other hand, action measures focused on medium and long term prevention will also be necessary to try to act in the most optimal and responsible way possible against natural disasters. Said Natural Disaster Prevention Boards They are based on regulations, laws, projects and strategies that allow, on the one hand, to protect and make responsible use of the areas likely to suffer natural disasters and, on the other hand, directly prohibit the occupation of those areas with high risk of impact.

If you want to read more articles similar to How to prevent natural disasterswe recommend that you enter our category of other environment.