Emergency ABC - Five Things to Do When Disaster Strikes While You Are at Work

Five Things to Do When Disaster Strikes While You Are at Work

One of the most helpless feelings in the world is being at work when disaster strikes. Likely, you are not with your family and are stuck in a location with only your co-workers. Many times however, disaster does strike during the day. Therefore, it is likely you might be at work when a natural disaster occurs. Although it may be an uncomfortable experience, it is one that you will come through with flying colors, especially if you follow these tips. Use these five things to do when disaster strikes while you are at work to help you get through any situation.

Stay Calm

Obviously, the first thing you should do is calm down. Anxiety or stress is a natural reaction to a disaster, but when you are in these states of being, you cannot think rationally.

To survive and stay safe, you will need to think calmly. By being calm, you will be able to rationalize the situation and do what you need to do to stay safe. Other co-workers may need help calming down as well. So, designate someone to be in charge of that task as well. When everyone is calm, the group can effectively plan what they should do.

Call for Help

If you cannot leave your building or if you think you are safest inside, be sure to alert someone that you are not leaving. By calling the authorities or someone in charge, they will know to rescue you if necessary. If you don't call anyone, they may assume everyone could evacuate the premises. If your phone lines are out, try using a cell phone. If your cell phone is not working, look for a nearby window and hang a piece of clothing or a handmade sign outside calling for help. This will alert any searchers and they will be able to come to your rescue.

Know Your Evacuation Route

Part of your job should be to know effective evacuation routes from your office. Become familiar with these routes. Take them once a month so you will get into the habit of using them. Remember how many doorframes there are in between your office and the emergency exit. If there is a fire, you may not be able to see. While you are crawling out, you can keep your route by staying up against the wall and counting the doorways with your hands as you pass. This will prevent you from getting turned around and lost inside.

Listen To the Radio

To prepare for a disaster, you may want to have a radio with batteries handy in your office. If you are trapped inside or if the weather outside is too risky to go out into, you will need a means of hearing the news. The news stations will update you on the weather and tell you what to do in case of emergency. You can listen to the news to figure out when the disaster is over and it is safe to go outdoors. You can also listen to see if other areas are affected and the direction of the disaster.

Gather With Your Colleagues

Sometimes the best thing to do when you are at work and a disaster strikes is to gather with your colleagues. By counting to make sure everyone is accounted for, you can stay safer as a group. Use your radio to inform each other of happenings with the weather. If you are in a fire, you should not wait for anyone however. Be sure to get yourself out of the building. Everyone else should be responsible for getting him or herself out. Anyone left inside will be rescued by firefighters if possible.

Although you may be more panicked when you face a disaster while at work, you are in no more danger than if you would be at home in most cases. Just know that your family is probably safe and doing the same thing you are, which is waiting until its safe to return to normal routine. Use these five tips to help you cope with the stress of a disaster and know you will be just fine! By calmly thinking things through, you will know exactly what you should do to get through the situation.

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