Buildings, like all structures, are designed to support certain loads without deforming excessively. The loads are the weights of people and objects, the weight of rain and snow. The pressure that the loads can put on the building or due other circumstances buildings can collapse.
When a building is collapsing, you must know what to do. Fortunately, you can avoid a disaster with the following actions:
Before the building collapses:
- Always know the emergency exit when you are in an unfamiliar building in order to ensure a quick exit in the face of danger.
When the building collapses:
- Stay on the floor, hide under or near a heavy furniture or doorframe, sit still, protect your head and neck with your hands.
- Stay far away from mirrors, door glasses and heavy objects on safes that can harm you.
- Do not use the lift. The stairs are safer.
- Try to extinguish possible fires.
After the building collapses
- Pay attention to possible disconnected electricity wires.
- Notify the disaster team of your location; call 911 on your cell phone.
- If you are trapped under a heap of rubble, stay as quiet as possible and tap any pipe or tube. Scream only if you have no other alternative, in order to save oxygen.
Building collapsing
The houses and buildings in Curacao must meet certain construction requirements. However, some buildings have a very old construction so they have a higher risk of collapsing. The government does everything in its power to ensure the safety of the residents of Curacao.
