Quick Tips for Survival Trivia Quiz

Answer: Shut all ventilation and use a charcoal based burning device at home to cook and keep warm

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a prevalent danger during winter storms. Using fuel driven machines, like a stove or generator, inside the house may cause the poisonous gas to accumulate inside the house. Keep all these devices outside or near a well ventilated spot.

Other important things to know before a winter storm hits is to keep ready food supplies for the family as it could be difficult to go out for a few days. Listen to weather reports and know when to be ready. Keep medical supplies, water and tools ready for when they are needed. Make sure you have access to emergency contact numbers in case needed. Make sure all heating equipment is ready and working. In case of chimneys, make sure they are clean. It would also be helpful if you learn how to handle frostbite and hypothermia effectively. You never know when it would be useful!

Now all you have to do, if nothing unexpected happens, is to wait the blizzard out!

Answer: Drought

A drought is a period of time in which there are scarce water resources reducing the overall quality of life. Crops, animals and humans are mostly affected in droughts. Agricultural, socioeconomic, meteorological and hydrological are the different types of droughts.

The basis of preparedness in times of drought is water conservation. Indoor water conservation tips would include avoiding leakage of taps, restricting the use of water in the house for laundry and washing, taking shorter showers and using water efficient devices. Community participation in following rules for restrictive and proper usage of water is necessary. Rain water harvesting is advocated in areas where months of rain is followed by a period of drought.

Answer: Leave the house, get outside and call the emergency helpline

It is imperative that once a fire starts at home, you should leave the house and call the fire department immediately. If your exits are not clear because of the fire, run to a room where the fire hasn't spread, open all windows and call the emergency helpline. A fire extinguisher is to be used only if you know how to and the fire is small and confined.

Prevention is better than cure they say, so to avoid a fire from occurring in your home make sure all the fire hazards are kept away from heating equipment. Install smoke detectors in all rooms of the house and fire alarms too. Turn off equipment that may get hot, like an iron, after use. Learn emergency contact numbers and have a fire escape plan for your home and practice it with your family.

If injured by the fire, make sure adequate treatment is received at the hospital. Once the fire is put out, do not enter the house until the officials from the fire department say it is safe to do so.

Answer: Immerse the person in cold water from neck down

A heat wave can have debilitating affects on human efficiency and can cause a threat to life. Heat cramps and heat exhaustion are some of less serious conditions that a heat wave can cause. Heat stroke is a life threatening situation. Symptoms of this condition are loss of consciousness, high body temperature, dry and moist skin, increase in heart rate and breathing and sometimes, seizures and vomiting.

Being prepared for a heatwave can include keeping yourself updated with the weather and making sure cooling devices at home are working. During a heatwave it is important to maintain hydration by drinking plenty of fluids. Eating smaller, frequent, meals will actually help with the maintenance of body temperature. Make sure clothing does not prevent the loss of heat from the body. It is also important to avoid doing strenuous work in times of extreme temperature changes. Learning how to deliver first aid to illnesses caused by heat is always useful.

Answer: Landslide

Landslides can cause massive damage to life and property. Rainstorms and earthquakes are the most common causes for landslides.

If you live in an area that is prone to landslides, you should make sure you and your family are aware of evacuation plans and emergency measures. Make sure your building has a proper foundation that can not be compromised due to a landslide. Keep yourself updated on weather changes and signals that may precipitate landslides. Keep a kit ready to be taken in case of evacuation which has all the necessary supplies and tools. Avoid driving in a landslide prone area after it has been recently affected. Help your neighbors and other people be prepared for the disaster.

Answer: Tsunami

An earthquake can cause a series of high waves to push enormous amounts of water into land. These waves are called tsunamis.

The best way to be prepared for a tsunami is to be alert and look for the warning signals. Keep an eye on the weather updates. If you live close to the coastline, an earthquake can be the first warning signal for an upcoming tsunami. Tsunamis can also cause a considerable rise or fall in the levels of water. If you live in an area where the tsunami hazard is high, make sure you know the evacuation plans of your neighborhood, workplace or school. In case of an ongoing threat, run for higher ground, as far inland as possible, with your family and others who need help. Stay away from electrical lines and trees that may fall. Follow the instructions of the authorities at all times.

Answer: Tornadoes

Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air that can cause damage to everything that lies in its path of movement. Tornadoes are rated from F0 to F5 (weak to strong) based on the Fujita scale.

Keeping an eye on weather updates is very important. Many communities have tornado signals which every person living there should be familiar with. Identify a shelter either in the home or in a common place of gathering that can provide adequate protection during a tornado. This shelter ideally must be a basement or below ground level. If you are in your house above ground level, it would be ideal to hide under a doorway protecting yourself from debris that can cause injuries. Do not try to drive away from a tornado.

Answer: Quarantine

A pandemic refers to a global outbreak of a disease and an epidemic refers to the outbreak localized to a small population or area.

The best method for survival once the outbreak has begun is to isolate oneself in an area that is away from infected people. Avoiding social gatherings, trips to the grocery store and other activities which may increase the chance of infection is important. Important supplies must be kept in store in the area of quarantine, like water, food, medicines, etc. If it absolutely mandatory to go outside, protective gear like masks, gloves, boots must be used. It is important to maintain hygiene during these times. Make sure you have adequate information about the disease and the proper practices to keep you and your family safe.

Answer: True

Volcanic eruptions are dangerous disasters that can cause other hazards such as floods, earthquakes, landslides and mudflows. It is important to keep an eye out for warning signals from the authorities of an imminent volcanic eruption. If there is a hazard of a volcano in the area where you live, it is important to have a strategy for evacuation. Keep a disaster kit ready for when it is needed. Try as much as possible to seek shelter inside any strong structure like a building or in your own home. Try, as much as possible, to move up slope avoiding areas where downflow is possible. During ashfalls, try to use masks and goggles as breathing ash in can cause respiratory disorders. Follow the instructions of the authorities.

Answer: False

It is important for all members in a community to have adequate knowledge about the types of disasters that their neighborhood is prone to. It is important that they have meetings to plan measures to alleviate and manage the damage caused by any disaster.

They must have evacuation plans and strategies which all members must follow in case the worst must happen. Special strategies must be thought of for children, seniors and those with disabilities. It is also recommended for close knit communities to have a disaster relief fund for their welfare.