Disasters can happen at any time and with little to no warning; that’s why being prepared is so important! Some people may rely on old preparedness myths in response to certain disasters, which can prove dangerous. When it comes to disaster preparedness, can you separate fact from fiction? Test your knowledge with a few popular myths:
- Standing inside a doorway is the best way to stay safe during an earthquake? According to FEMA, the current protective action to take during an earthquake is to drop, cover, and hold on. Download the America’s PrepareAthon! How to Prepare for an Earthquake Guide to learn earthquake basics and how to protect yourself during tremors. You can also check out the animated video, “When The Earth Shakes,” to see how to stay safe.
- Duct taping your windows is a quick, easy way to protect your home’s windows before a hurricane. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protectionagainst storm winds. Window coverings can help prevent debris from blowing into your home. Flying debris from strong winds causes most fatalities and injuries.
- First responders will be able to help everyone during disasters.Emergency responders do a great job keeping people safe, but they can’t do it alone. It may also be several days before they can reach your area. As such, we must all embrace our personal responsibility to be prepared.
Remember, being prepared for disasters is a shared responsibility. It takes the whole community working together to effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and other emergencies. In September 2013, we debunked preparedness myths during the first America’s PrepareAthon! TweetChat. Search #PrepareAthon to find more disaster preparedness fact vs. fiction.
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