In case of a volcanic eruption, follow these recommendations

What to do before, during and after a volcanic eruption?

Volcanoes always represent a risk and therefore, for prevention, we must know the dangers that the volcano closest to us can present. Nevertheless it is infrequent that a volcano begins activity without warning.

The most common personal accidents from volcanic activity are the result of:

• Partial or total roof cave ins (tile, tin sheets, ply board, canvas, cardboard or wood) due to the weight from the accumulation of ash

• Partial or total collapse of houses from hot ash flows (pyroclastics).

• Partial or total collapse of houses that are found in gorges where mud and ash mixed with rain, or melting snow or ice flows.

• Vehicular accidents due to poor visibility and slippery grounds from the presence of ash.

• Injury from falling rock fragments.

• Pulmonary affects from ash inhalation

Individuals can decrease the exposed dangers by learning what to do in case of volcanic eruption.

How to prepare yourself:

Go to a unit of Civil security or to local authorities in order to receive information about:

• If the area where you live can be affected by volcanic activity.

• What are the security measures in your home and work place that should be taken in case of volcanic eruption.

• How you can collaborate with aid workers if you have an interest in
  becoming qualified to participate when this situation occurs. 

• Have on hand a battery operated radio and lantern as well as personal documents.

What to do before a volcanic eruption (normal situations)?

• Stay informed.

• Learn evacuation routes and where the meeting points established by the authorities are, in order to facilitate transfer to secure locations, as well as the temporary refuge or shelter that correspond to you.

• Take part in training courses that are offered by your Civil Security Unit and most importantly, participate in the exercises and simulations that take place in your community.

• Remember that building sites in gorges and creeks are more likely to suffer damages, as generally, volcanic materials flow through those channels.

• Try to construct in high zones and with strong and inclined ceilings. 

• Have on hand, a lantern with spare batteries, a portable radio, a small medical kit, potable water and basic documents.

• Do not listen to false rumors from unauthorized people.

• If you observe changes in the volcano, such as new fumaroles, thermal sources, changes in the composition of the water, ash or landslides, communicate with the authorities.
  

What to do when an alert situation is declared?

• Be aware of the what the authorities and the news are saying.

• Prepare a card with the name and address for each member of the family.

• If your house has gas, light and water services, ensure that they are shut off.

• If possible, keep potable water and food, as well as medicines that you or somebody in your family needs, as well as important documents such as property titles, birth and marriage certificates, records, etc. 

• Have on hand battery operated radio and lanterns as well as the keys to your home. 

• Cover water tanks and food, to avoid contamination from falling ash.

• If you have cattle or other animals, ask your local unit of civil security what you should do them. 

What to do when an alarm situation is declared?

• Remain calm, unite the family, and give them their identification cards.

• Ensure that all of the doors and windows are locked and place a white sheet or fabric towards the street, to indicate that the house is evacuated.

• Go immediately to the meeting point previously established. Take only items that are indispensable.

• If you can evacuate the area by your own means, do not hesitate to do so and go immediately to the temporary shelter that corresponds to you. 

• When arriving at the temporary shelter, register and go to the area indicated.

• If you require medical attention, go to the nearest Health installation.

• While in the temporary shelter, collaborate with requests. Remain in contact with the authorities; they will indicate the rules to be followed during the stay.

• If you cannot locate the meeting place or you do not have a means of transport to leave the area, move away from the volcano, walking on high ground until you reach a safe place.

• Do not pay attention to false rumors from unauthorized people.

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Return to normalcy

• Only the authorities can determine when it is safe to return home.

• Before entering the house, verify the conditions it is in, if there is doubt as to its condition, consult with emergency personnel, if the roof is covered in ash, remove it immediately, being careful that it does not go into the drains.

• Do not use electricity or gas until you are sure that the installations are free of ash and in good state.

• Do not eat or drink anything that you suspect might be contaminated, if in doubt, consult with corresponding authorities.

• Remain aware of communications from authorities and follow the recommendations of the local committee for the civil security.

• Carry-out along with your family, daily activities.
  
  

What to do in case of fallen ash?

• If you need to go outdoors, protect your eyes, nose and mouth, Avoid exercise.

• Shut doors and windows and seal the cracks with damp rags to limit dust getting into your home.  Dust the ash with dusters in order to not scratch surfaces.

• Continuously remove ashes from roofs to avoid its accumulation on weak ceilings (laminates, cardboard, ply board, canvas, tiles and others), as they can cave-in from the excess weight, similar to increases in weight as if it were a cement slab, the reason that we do not try to clear it with water.

• Collect the ashes in bags to avoid it running down the drain.   

• Avoid using automobiles as much as possible; be cautious and patient as traffic will be slow due to slippery roads.

List of provisions in case of emergency

The following list of provisions and articles will help to prepare you in the face of emergencies caused by volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, hurricanes and floods, among other phenomena.

Food and utensils

• Water: a minimum of two liters of water per person per day. Store as much purified water as possible in unbreakable containers.

• Food: non perishable foods that require little or no cooking and are light weight (if you are traveling). For example powdered milk, tuna, sardines, juice, etc.

• Special dietetic foods required by anyone who is ill.

• Bottle opener, can opener and knife.

• Water purifying tablets or drops.

Communication, lighting system, and security

• Battery operated radio with spare batteries. 

• Battery operated lantern with spare batteries. 

• Candles and matches inside a plastic bag. 

• Fire extinguisher (if possible).

• Rain coats and boots.

Basic contents of a first aid kit

Keep the contents of the medicine kit in a waterproof plastic or metal box. Review periodically and replace medicines that have expired:

• Alcohol.

• Cotton.

• Security pins.

• Pain killers.

• Antacids.

• Applicators  (also known as cottenets).

• Articles for contact lenses and hearing aides. 

• Aspirin.

• Plastic bags.

• Bags for hot water.

• Carbonate

• Scotch tape.

• Dropper.

• Antibacterial soap

• Laxatives

• First aid manual

• Prescribed medicines (if necessary).

• Anti nausea pills. 

• Pills or drops for purifying water. 

• Scissors.

• Vaseline.

• Band-Aids of different widths. 

Recommendations for guarding documents and valuables

Store in a plastic bag within a backpack that leaves arms and hands free:

• Birth and marriage certificates.

• Diplomas.

• Documents: land, insurance, and titles.

• Social security card.

• Driver's license.

• Money in cash and credit cards.

• Bank book and check book.
  

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Source: Information taken from:

Centro Nacional de Prevención de Desastres (CENAPRED). Desastres: guía de Prevención. Tu vida es primero, tu participación es tu protección.
En: http://www.cenapred.unam.mx/sabes/guia.pdf. Consultado el 20/12/2004.