Following the earthquake that shook Batangas on Tuesday (April 4), a series of more than a dozen aftershocks were felt in and around the region. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded 17 afterschocks as of 1:00 a.m. on April 5, reports ABS-CBN news.
The epicenter of the 5.5 quake, which occurred at 8:58 p.m., was placed 7 kilometers northwest of Tingloy, Batangas.
Within Metro Manila, a “moderately strong” intensity 4 tremor was felt in Makati City as well as in neighboring areas like Obando, Bulacan. Intensity 3 tremors were felt throughout Quezon City, Mandaluong, Sta. Ana, Manila, Cavite, and Lucena City, Quezon.
The following tremors, recorded from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., ranged between 3.0 to 4.6 in intensity.
According to Phivolcs, Intensity 3 tremors are “weak” but tend to cause hanging objects to swing moderately. They also assured the public that the tremor, or any succeeding aftershocks, would not be strong enough to cause a tsunami.
screenshot: Youtube
Tips to keep your family safe during an earthquake
It’s important to equip everyone with the knowledge and resources to cope with a possible emergency. Here are some earthquake safety tips from ShakeOut.
1. “Drop! Cover! Hold on!”
Teach kids how to respond quickly when an earthquake starts. Even if it’s a slight tremor, train them to drop to the ground first, then to take cover. It’s important to choose a sturdy desk or table because they will need to hold on tightly to their chosen hiding place if or when the quake intensifies.
For parents with infants, it’s important not to panic! The same steps apply, “Drop! Cover! and Hold on!” but there’s an extra, important step! Hold your baby close to your chest until the shaking stops.
For parents with bigger kids, remember to crouch over them as you seek shelter under a sturdy desk or table. If you have more than two kids, train them to assume a crawling position as you bend over on top of them to protect their midsection, which houses most of our vital organs.
2. Earthquake-proof your home before it strikes
Be on the lookout at home for heavy, unsecured furniture, such as TV sets, bookshelves, or large drawers, which might fall over during a quake.
For daycares and schools, securing cribs and play areas that might tip over during a quake is of utmost importance.
3. Make your little one earthquake ready with a Go! bag
A bag packed with emergency essentials is a must-have for all homes. While parents can pack an emergency bag of their own, it’s also important to equip kids with a personal Go! bag. Make sure to choose one that is light and sturdy, but roomy enough to fit all the essentials.
What you can put in the Go! Bag:
- 2 pairs of clothes, socks, underwear, jacket and shoes
- Grooming kit: soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, hand towel, sanitary wipes, toilet paper, alcohol, and a small mirror for grooming and signalling.
- Mini-first aid kit: cotton balls, betadine, band-aids, medicine
- Flash light with extra batteries
- Whistle
- A cellphone, fully charged and with load
- Non-perishable snacks, canteen of water
- Comfort items: their blanket, stuffed animal or coloring book
- A raincoat or umbrella
- A small banig or mat
- A laminated family photo with proper labels and contact information and other pertinent documents that will help your little one find their way, should you get separated
Remember, moms and dads, having your own shake drills at home can boost you and your family’s confidence when faced with the possibility of an earthquake. Preparedness is the key to overcoming fear!
READ: Preparing your family for the Big Manila Earthquake
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