Basic Information on Disaster Prevention and Safety

1.Routine Preparation for Disasters

(1)Register with the Disaster Prevention Mail Distribution System (English)

(2)Family Meeting for Disaster Prevention

Hold family meetings to check what each family member has to do during a disaster and how to contact each other if they get separated.

• Designate an outside gathering place during a disaster.
  Designate an intermediary (relatives, friends and others who live far away) so that the family can contact each other during or following a disaster through the intermediary. Also be aware of how to use NTT Disaster Emergency Message Dial 171 and disaster message dial services offered by mobile phone companies.

(3)Prepare basic essentials for a stay at an evacuation center and preparation of first aid for injuries.

＜What to Take with You in the Event of an Emergency＞
Inkan(personal seal), cash, bankbook, flashlight, batteries, lighter, can opener, knife, first-aid kit, candles, clothing, gloves, blanket, helmet, Bosai-zukin (protective hood), water, feeding bottle, food, instant noodles, and radio (FM teletext radio is preferable).
* Items already available at home can be substituted for the above items. Above all ensure that the items are operational.

＜Emergency Stockpiles＞
On average, it takes three days before smooth distribution of food, other essentials are obtained following a disaster. Set aside at least 3 days worth of emergency food and water supply (3 liters/day for one person). Households with babies and elderly relatives should prepare diapers, powdered milk, food and medicine.

First-aid kit, water (approx. three liters per person), food (biscuits, Alpha Rice, canned food, ready-to-eat food, etc), pan/mobile range, clothing/sleeping bag/blanket, raincoat, extra batteries and pen/pencil.

* Automobile trunks can be used as a convenient storehouse.

Automobile trunk make for a practical storehouse for blankets, shovels and camping sets, which are difficult to carry. Automobiles cannot be used to travel over long-distances during disasters, since emergency traffic regulations will be implemented. However, parked in a vacant lot or parking area in the neighborhood, automobiles can serve as a temporary evacuation base. However, care must be taken to avoid so-called Economy Class Syndrome when staying in automobiles over long periods.

2.Important Points during Typhoons and Torrential Rain

• Paying attention to weather information broadcasts via TV, radio and disaster prevention administrative radio systems. Also, staying indoors as much as possible or returning home as early as possible.
  ※Love FM 76.1 (82.7 Kitakyushu) offers disaster-related news and advice in several languages.

• Securing Dwellings
  •  Close shutters. For windows without shutters, drawing a curtain or lining the windows with some cloth.
  •  Place outside washing-line poles and flowerpots inside the home, since they will pose a danger during a disaster.

• Proceed to make your evacuation accordingly if/when an evacuation warning or order is given. A natural disaster may be at hand.

• If it is impossible for you to make an evacuation, do all you can on your own initiative to ensure your safety.If it is impossible for you to make an evacuation, do all you can on your own initiative to ensure your safety.

• If/when you sense danger around you even without a prior warning being announced, take action on your own initiative and evacuate quickly.

• You and your life are at risk when natural disasters like mudslides and landslides occur near you. Proceed to make your evacuation swiftly if/when you sense danger around you from an unsafe environment created by torrential heavy rain. Proceed to make your evacuation also if/when an evacuation is being announced in the area. If it is impossible for you to make it to the designated safety zone, find a sturdy building nearby and get up to the 2nd floor or higher. Position yourself in a place facing away from danger such as presupposed affected hill side.

3.Important Points during Earthquakes

Stay Calm and Ensure Safety

• When feeling the tremor of an earthquake, first get under a sturdy desk or table. If cushions or other items are at hand, use them to protect your head.
• When feeling the tremor of an earthquake, open entrance and room doors to secure emergency exits.
• Stay calm and check surrounding circumstances carefully before going outside.

Stay Calm and Prevent Fires

• Turn off gas equipment, stoves, etc. as soon as possible.
• Turn off gas at the mains and unplug electrical appliances.
• Turn off the electric circuit breaker before evacuating due to an earthquake
  (the earthquake may cause electrical appliances to topple over onto flammable items scattered nearby, resulting in a fire.)
• Extinguish fires with a fire extinguisher, water in a Sankaku Bucket (bucket designed for fire-fighting) and other fire-fighting tools before the fire spreads.

Three Opportunities for Extinguishing Fires before they Spread

When extinguishing a fire outside, be aware that concrete walls, signboards, and other structures may collapse.
(1)When the tremor begins --- (priority must be placed on ensuring safety)
(2)When the tremor stops
(3)Immediately after a fire breaks out
* Call out to neighbors and cooperate in initial fire-fighting efforts.

Stay away from Narrow Streets, Walls, Cliffs or Riverbanks

• Stay clear of narrow streets and walls as roofing tiles and other debris may collapse and fall.
• Stay away from cliffs and riverbanks, as landslides may occur due to the loosening of the ground.

Important Points of Evacuation

• Proceed to make your evacuation calmly and unhurriedly.
• Wear comfortable clothing easy to stretch in.
• Do not carry more than necessary; carry on your back.
• Evacuate from the seaside to a safe place, such as high ground, immediately after feeling a strong earthquake (tremors with an intensity of 4 or more on the Japanese seven-stage seismic scale) or feeling weak and slow shaking over a long period of time.
• Pay attention to tsunami information broadcasts via radio, etc.
• Voluntarily evacuate from mountainsides and sloping areas as soon as possible, as landslides may occur in such areas.
• Unexpected events can take place at any time. If you ever sense danger to your own safety, by all means, take action on your own initiative and evacuate quickly.

How to Acquire Accurate Information

• Pay attention to TV and radio news; do not believe any false rumors.
• Always pay attention to information released by authorities such as municipality offices, fire departments, and police.
• Do not make unnecessary or non-essential calls. In particular non-essential calls to fire departments impede emergency efforts.

First-aid Relief Efforts in Cooperation with Others

• Work on first-aid relief activities for those with slight injuries in cooperation with others.
• Perform rescue efforts for those trapped under debris of buildings in cooperation with neighbors.

How to Evacuate if an Earthquake occurs while Driving

• Stop at the left side of the road or a parking area and turn off the engine.
• Listen to the car radio for disaster information.
• If police officers are taking traffic regulatory measures, observe such regulations.