1,352 high-rises in Dubai: How to survive an earthquake

UAE residents felt the tremors of last night's earthquake at the Iran-Iraq border

Dubai is home to several skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. According to Emporis.com, Dubai has 1,352 high-rise buildings, with 540 skyscrapers and 521 low-rise buildings. 
After a powerful earthquake shook the Iran-Iraq border late Sunday, killing 210 people and injuring 1,700, several in the UAE felt the tremors. Residents quickly took refuge outside their buildings as some felt the ground trembling for a brief period. 
"I was having dinner when I felt the ground shake a bit," a Dubai resident told KT. "My wife felt it too. We rushed down as soon as we felt the tremors," he added.
But with so many skyscrapers in the city, are you aware of the steps you must take if and when an earthquake strikes? Do you know whether to leave your house or stay put under a table during the hour of emergency? 
The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority in UAE share tips: 

What you should be aware of before earthquakes occur 

1. Watch out for weather changes, listen to weather forecasts
2. Ensure that the first aid and emergency kits are in safe place and ready to use
3. Ensure auxiliary lighting means are available (hand torch, lantern or candles) for use when necessary
4. Abide by instructions and directions given by competent authorities in case you received an evacuation order. Follow them immediately to ensure your safety and your family's safety
5. Set pets free, animals will manage themselves. 

If you were in a building other than your own house, please carry out the following procedures: 

1. Act quietly and do not panic or fear when you feel the tremor and search for the nearest safe place.
2. Safe places include under a rigid table, bed or a big piece of furniture, or stand in the corner of the room or next to an internal wall
3. Fear shall stop your thinking and keep you from taking the right decision.  Lie down facing the floor, protect your head with your hands or use a nearby pillow and put it on your head to protect yourself
4. Stay away from glass windows and doors.
5. Stay away from things that are susceptible of falling due to the quake such as mirrors, chandeliers and shelves to avoid them falling over you.
6. Disconnect power sources such as electricity and water, and put off gas sources.
7. Do not smoke or use matches.
8. Do not walk barefoot.

What should you be aware of when earthquakes occur?

1. If you were outside, please carry out the following procedures when tremor or earthquakes occur:
2. Stay away from buildings, especially the high ones, to avoid any potential collapse
3. Avoid standing under building ceilings, high trees, electricity posts and telecommunication posts.
4. Stay away from the seashore as shores might be hit by rising waves due to earthquakes, riversides might fall.
5. Head to an open area quietly and do not return home until the quake is completely over.
6. If you were swimming in the sea, flowing water, pools, valley ducts or dams, get out of the water immediately and head to the land
7. Avoid using mobile phones except in utmost urgent cases.
8. Try to help injured persons if you are able to.

If you are driving and the earthquake strikes 

You were driving your car and you felt a tremor or earthquake, please carry out the following procedures:
1. Stay away as much as possible from tunnels and slopes and do not leave the car until the quake is over.
2. Park the car away from buildings, walls and high voltage lines.
3. It is recommended to use the flashing indicators only to warn others.
4. Please take caution and care and watch the changes that can block your way while on the road.
5. In case you had to stop the car completely, park it off the road. 

What you should do after earthquake strikes 

1. When the earthquake stops, stay away from electrical power lines to avoid rebound quakes.
2. Search for missing people, friends and family.
3. Notify rescue teams about trapped or buried people under the debris.
4. Restrict the usage of the phone.
5. Search for injured people and help them as much as possible.
6. Call your relatives to know they are safe and reassure them that you are safe as well.
7. Do not stay on the streets to see what happened, stay away from crowded areas or accident areas, and give way to competent authorities and rescue vehicles to do their job. 
8. Do not reenter tumbledown buildings and do not approach damaged compounds.
For more information, visit their website.

• UAE