Bath time could be one of the most inconvenient times to experience a disaster.

You're naked.

Your clothes might be in another room.

You might be in the middle of shampooing your hair.

If you normally wear glasses, you might have trouble seeing.

Thankfully, Bathlier has put together a list of important steps to take regularly to make sure you don't get caught unprepared in the event of a major earthquake.

Here are some steps you can take today (and every day) to make bath time safer.

・Keep slippers and a bathrobe nearby at all times: Even if you prefer to dress and undress in your bedroom, you should always keep a bathrobe or towel in your bathing area in case you need to evacuate immediately.

・Protect windows and mirrors with shatterproof film: This will prevent the glass from shattering and littering the floor.

・Keep a fully-stocked toiletry bag nearby: If you need to evacuate to a shelter, there's no telling how long you'll be there or what you'll need. Keep a small grab-and-go pouch of basic toiletry items, such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, feminine products, and any medicines you may need.

・Know your escape route: Don't wait until an actual emergency to plan an escape route. You never know when or how a disaster will strike, so plan ahead.

If an earthquake hits once you're in the bath, you won't have much time to prepare anything if evacuation becomes necessary.

Here's what to do if an earthquake hits, in order.

1. Secure an evacuation route: The first thing you should do if you feel tremors while in the bath is open the bathroom door! However, don't move or attempt evacuation until the shaking has subsided. Opening the door first is important because it allows you to escape if necessary, or call for help if you need it. Leaving the door closed could result in the door becoming warped, jammed, or damaged, potentially locking you inside.

2. Lower your posture and protect your head: Don't attempt to move until all shaking stops. Doing so could result in falls and injury. Instead, lower yourself while still in the tub, and use a bucket or the bathtub lid to protect your body and head until the quake subsides.

3. Turn off the gas switch: Before leaving the tub, make sure to turn off the gas switch in case of damage to the gas pipes. If you do not need to evacuate, be sure to check for gas leaks once you leave the bath.

4. Check for razors and other sharp objects on the floor: Whether you must evacuate or not, before stepping out of the tub, be sure to check the floor for fallen objects like razors, or broken glass from windows and mirrors. Using the daily emergency preparedness steps such as using shatterproof film on mirrors and windows and keeping your slippers nearby can help prevent these dangers.

5. Grab your bathrobe or towel and evacuate! If a major earthquake hits and immediate evacuation is necessary, you may not even have time to get dressed. In this case, you may need to grab whatever you have - be it your bathrobe or towel - and get to a safe area. You can always pick up some clothes after you've made it to safety, but it can be fatal to delay an evacuation just to get dressed.

What to do if you're shampooing:
If you are shampooing when an earthquake hits, don't attempt to finish washing it out. Wrap your hair in a towel to keep it from getting in your eyes, and prepare immediately for possible evacuation. If you don't have to evacuate, only continue washing your hair after all shaking has subsided and you are sure it’s safe.

Some emergency protocols have recommended storing bathwater in the tub in case of a water outage. However, depending on your living situation, this may actually be ill-advised.

You should avoid storing bathwater if:

a. You have young children. In the event of an earthquake, young children could slip on spilled water or fall in and drown.

b. Sewer pipes may be damaged. If you live in an apartment building, water could spill into the apartment below.

c. The water may spoil. Even if it looks clean, water can spoil, and bacteria can build up quickly, making it unsafe to use for drinking or washing.


They say that the best solution is oftentimes prevention. And while you can't prevent an earthquake from occurring, you can prevent being caught unprepared in the bath. Use the above information as a guide, and get your earthquake emergency preparation plan ready today!

Source: PR Times