Where is the safest place to be in an apartment building during an earthquake?

Question

Bottom floor, middle floor, or top floor?

Answer 1

The best place to be during an earthquake is far away from where it is happening. Inside a building, no matter how far up, is very hazzardous.

Answer 2

Well, from all the earthquakes I've been through for over 50 years in California, almost all apartment buildings that had damage pancaked down.  The first floors were always flattened, where the majority of people have been killed.  If you have to be in one, the top floor is the best, as almost always they stay intact enough to let you survive.  Doorways have been shown to collapse during an earthquake, so they are not the best place to be.  Under a sturdy table gives you the best chance, as it will keep falling debris from falling down on you.  Hope this helps you.

Answer 3

Don't move from floor to floor.Read this to safeguard you and your surroundings.

PROTECTION DURING EARTHQUAKES

The following are some of the important precaution to be observed to save our life during an earthquake. Even though we do not have fool proof system to fore warn earthquakes some of the changes in nature or in the behaviors of animals and birds may help to decide the situations.

Before an earthquake.

Have a battery powered radio, flash light, and first aid kids in your house ,

Make sure every one knows where they are kept ,

Lean first aid; teach how to stop electric main and gas supply ,

Don’t keep heavy objects in high shelves ,

Fasten heavy appliances to the floor, and anchor heavy furniture to the walls ,

Plan for your family for reuniting after an earthquake if anybody separated ,

Urge your school teachers to discuss earthquake safety in the class rooms, and ask them to conduct drills ,

Find out your office has an emergency plan, know your responsibility at your works during an emergency .

During an earthquake.

Stay calm if you are indoors, stay out if you are out of buildings. Many injuries occur as people enter or leave the buildings.

If you are indoors , stand against the a wall near the center of the building, or get under a sturdy table  keep some cushion on your head, Stay away from windows and outside doors, if you are in a high rise building stand against a support column.

If you are in outdoor  stay in the open place , keep away from over head electric wires. and bridges,

Don’t use open flames, if you are in a moving vehicle stop away from over bridges and stay inside the vehicle still earthquake stops.

After an earthquake.

Check yourself and nearby people for injury, provide first aid,

Check electric and gas connection,

Turn on your radio or T.V for emergency instructions, reduce the use of phone lines it may be required for conveying some important messages.

Stay out of damaged buildings,

Wear chapels and gloves to protect against shattered glass and debris.

Stay away from beaches and water front areas where Tsunami could strike, even long after the shaking has stopped.

Answer 4

Bottom floor under a doorway.

Answer 5

I would say, on the lowest floor possible, in the smallest room possible and under a doorway or in a corner.

Answer 6

bottom floor, closest to the exit. You want to be in an open environment away from things that could fall on top of you and crush you.

Answer 7

The strongest part of the building is the staicase in the central core of the biulding.  If you are stuck in a building; get into the staircase. Stay away from the outside of the building; and away from the windows - these are the places that are destroyed first.  This is no guarantee; but when buildings are partly destroyed; it is always the central core that survives.  It is still hazardous, with falling concrete etc;  but is the safest.  I don't think it matters all that much; but a higher floor has less chance of being crushed; but more chance of being injured from falling.