Ideally, all vacations would entail great weather and no natural disaster issues. But because natural disasters generally can’t be predicted too far into the future, there’s always a chance that some kind of catastrophe could happen while you’re traveling, especially if you’re traveling to an area that’s known for having things like hurricanes or earthquakes.
So if you’re planning on visiting a place that has been known to have many or major earthquakes in the past, here are three ways you can stay safe on your trip to this earthquake-prone area.
Choose Your Accommodations Carefully
One of the best ways you can keep yourself safe when going to an area prone to earthquakes is to ensure that the accommodations you’re staying at are going to be safe if an earthquake does happen.
In locations where earthquakes commonly happen or are close to a fault line, most buildings, especially those meant for tourists, will have been built to withstand earthquakes. If you’re not sure whether the place you’re looking at staying will be safe for you, don’t hesitate to call and ask about the foundation of their building and what precautions they have taken against earthquakes. Because other visitors will likely have this same concern, they should be able to easily give you this information.
Enroll In STEP Before You Leave
Before you take off on your trip, one great way to ensure that you’ll have what you need if and when an earthquake does happen is to enroll in STEP, which is the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Through this program, DepartSmart.org shares that you’ll be able to get information from the U.S. Embassy or consulate in the area you’re visiting after an emergency takes place. This information can be invaluable to you if things in the country have gotten very damaged after the earthquake.
Additionally, by enrolling in STEP, you will also have the U.S. government on your side to help you get the assistance you need in the event of an emergency as well as contacting your family back home to keep them informed on where you are and what’s going on.
Make A Plan For Your Safety
Once you make it to your destination, it’s now up to you to take some precautions that will help make your stay as safe as possible if an earthquake strikes.
Some of the measures you may want to consider taking, according to Colleen Clark, a contributor to the BBC, is to figure out where to get emergency health care in the area you’re visiting, learn where the emergency exits are in your hotel, and make a plan for where you’ll take cover if the ground starts shaking. By thinking about these things beforehand, you’ll be better able to keep your head if there is an earthquake.
If you’re a little nervous about traveling to an area that’s prone to earthquakes, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you make a plan and stay safe.
Leave a Reply