Natural Disaster Preparation
All JETs should be aware of and prepared for possible natural disasters and emergency situations in the case they do arise.
General Preparation
- Keep the address of your evacuation center and emergency phone numbers on your fridge.
- Download the English Safety Tips app from this website to your phone
- Familiarize yourself with the Japan Meteorological Agency website.
- Familiarize yourself with your city website. In the case of a natural disaster, your city will play warnings over the loud speakers. This can be hard to understand, but they will also be posted on your city website.
- Get a fire extinguisher and keep it in the kitchen, read how to use it beforehand. Locate any communal extinguisher and read the instructions.
- Don't put easily burnable things on or around open flames.
- Secure gas canisters and kerosene tanks to prevent them from falling.
- Identify main gas line and electric circuit breakers off and on.
- Ensure your Emergency Kit is stocked up and you can open any tins.
- Identify your possible escape route and make sure it is always clear.
- Keep heavy items as close to the floor as possible.
Emergency Kit
Every JET should have an emergency kit in their home. These can be assembled piece by piece or ordered complete from Amazon.
An emergency kit should include:
An emergency kit should include:
- Water (4 liters(1 gallon) per person per day. Change water every 3-5 months)
- Food (canned or pre-cooked, requiring no heat or water)
- Flashlight with spare batteries and bulbs
- Radio (battery operated with spare batteries)
- Large plastic trash bags (for waste, water protection or temporary blanket)
- Hand soap and/or disinfecting hand cleaner gel that does not require water
- Toilet paper
- Feminine hygiene supplies
- Essential medications as required; glasses if you normally wear contacts
- Paper plates, cups, plastic utensils, cooking foil, plastic wrap (wrapped around plates so that they were re-usable) and paper towels
- First Aid kit with instructions
- Yen in small bills (ATMs may not work after a disaster), with coins and phone cards for public phones.
- Completed print out of emergency pocket guide
Pocket Guide Instructions
Pocket Guide - Print out of important contact information (supervisor, embassy, school numbers, home country contact numbers)
Advisories - What do they mean?
What should I do during a natural disaster?
During an Evacuation
In general: Head to your designated evacuation point. If away from your home or office, go to the nearest evacuation point (if unsure, ask those around- " 避難所はどこですか? - Hinanjō wa doko desu ka?). Follow any official guidance given by police or other officials and stay abreast of new information.
BUT: Do not blindly rush for the evacuation point if doing so presents more danger than staying put. E.g. If there is torrential rain and the risk of major flooding in the middle of the night and you are in a 3rd floor apartment, it may be more dangerous to rush out into the night if the disaster poses no danger to you in your home.
During an Earthquake:
Stay calm, cover your head
After an Earthquake: expect tremors
In general: Head to your designated evacuation point. If away from your home or office, go to the nearest evacuation point (if unsure, ask those around- " 避難所はどこですか? - Hinanjō wa doko desu ka?). Follow any official guidance given by police or other officials and stay abreast of new information.
BUT: Do not blindly rush for the evacuation point if doing so presents more danger than staying put. E.g. If there is torrential rain and the risk of major flooding in the middle of the night and you are in a 3rd floor apartment, it may be more dangerous to rush out into the night if the disaster poses no danger to you in your home.
During an Earthquake:
Stay calm, cover your head
- If inside, stay inside
- Move close to the center of the building
- Get under something stable.
- Avoid windows and things that can fall
- If outside, move away from things that could fall, including buildings, power lines, trees and signs
- If in a car, pull to the side, stop and use the parking break.
After an Earthquake: expect tremors
- Check gas, water and electric lines for damage
- If you smell gas evacuate immediately and report it to the authorities
- Check for advisories (radio/internet)
- If it is a bad quake, turn off gas, electricity and water, lock your door and put a sign up for others to see, then head to your closest emergency evaluation shelter.
- Do not use elevators to evacuate