How to prepare for a possible earthquake in the Dominican Republic?

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic — Following the information provided by seismic and structural engineering specialists last Wednesday, which indicated that the country remains exposed to a high seismic risk due to its location between the Caribbean and North American plates, seismic engineer Claudia Germoso urged the population to prepare now and learn about measures that can reduce the risk during an earthquake.

Germoso emphasized that prevention begins with understanding the structural conditions of homes.

Given this scenario, he explained that before an earthquake, each family should identify the safe places in the house, secure heavy furniture, and check that the house does not show signs of vulnerability, such as diagonal cracks in walls or columns, beams with concrete detachment, exposed steel, or extensions carried out without technical supervision.

During the earthquake, he recommended staying calm and using the drop, cover, and hold on technique, avoiding running, as falling objects cause most injuries. Once the shaking stops, he advised evacuating in an orderly fashion using the stairs and heading towards open spaces.

“The basic things we should all do as a population before an earthquake are: identify the safe places in the house and secure heavy furniture so it doesn’t fall. During the tremor, stay calm and apply the classic ‘drop, cover, and hold on’ strategy, where you can form the triangle of life, without running away in desperation, because most injuries are caused by falling objects. Afterward, evacuate in an orderly fashion, always using the stairs to an open area such as a park or parking lot,” he said.

The engineer also urged the public to assess the safety of the buildings where they live. She indicated that older buildings erected without seismic standards, homes built on unstable land or fill, modifications without professional supervision, and a lack of maintenance increase the risk during an earthquake.

“Regarding the vulnerability of your environment, identify if it is safe, and seek advice from an expert if you cannot do so on your own,” he stated. 

Furthermore, he noted that an earthquake-resistant home depends primarily on a suitable structural design and not just on the strength of the materials.

Safety backpack

According to the Instagram page (Sismicidadrd), it is important to have a safety backpack prepared.

The backpack should include: a first aid kit, flashlights and batteries, water and non-perishable food, and important documents.