Feel Safe... at home

The teacher introduces the activity by asking the class the following stimulus questions: 

• Have you ever been told by relatives or friends about major earthquakes that hit your municipality?
• What about major earthquakes in other parts of Italy?

The teacher explains to the class that the seismic risk The possibility that a phenomenon may cause harm to people, settlements and the environment in a given period of time and in a given area describes the potential impact on the built environment and on people's well-being due to future earthquakes. Although it is known which regions of Europe are prone to earthquakes, the location, frequency and impact of future earthquakes cannot be precisely predicted. However, the  European Facilities for Earthquake Sudden ground shaking resulting from movements of the earth’s crust Hazard and Risk (EFEHR) classifies the seismic risk in Europe combining four information:  

• Hazard: Information about how strong ground shaking is expected and where it is most likely to occur. 

• Soil conditions: Information to infer various soil types across Europe, which have an influence on the expected intensity of ground shaking. 

• Vulnerability Propensity to suffer damages from an event : Estimation of damage to buildings and their contents under given levels of ground shaking, and the ensuing economic losses, as a fraction of replacement costs, and loss of life. 

• Exposure: Information about the spatial distribution of residential, commercial and industrial building classes in terms of building count, area, occupants and replacement cost. 

More information about the components of seismic risk can be found here. 

Then the teacher asks the class: Do you thnk your Country is at risk? You can look for this information by clicking here. 

The teacher then explains to the class that identifying the seismic risk The possibility that a phenomenon may cause harm to people, settlements and the environment in a given period of time and in a given area can be useful to define the charateristics of building that can be built in a given area: where the riskr is higher, in fact, it is necessary to construct buildings that are more resistant and less prone to damage. 

When an earthquake Sudden ground shaking resulting from movements of the earth’s crust occurs, the damage that can affect a building is of 2 types: 

- STRUCTURAL: they affect pillars, beams, main walls and other load-bearing elements 

- NON-STRUCTURAL: concerning those elements that do not determine the stability of a building, e.g. balconies or chimneys. 

It is not easy to predict how a building will be damaged, since there are many factors that come into play: the materials used, the way the structure is built, the age of the building, etc., but it is possible to analyse the elements present in one's own home to know what reference points one has in the event of seismic risk.

At this point, the teacher shares an Observation grid with the class (see attached "Feel Safe... at home - Observation grid" below), which will allow them to imagine how they could protect themselves in their homes in the event of an earthquake Sudden ground shaking resulting from movements of the earth’s crust . 

To carry out the activity, it is useful to have a floor plan of your house with all the structural information about the building. If a floor plan is not available, it can be drawn showing where the walls are located, the load-bearing walls (usually the thicker ones), doors, windows, balconies. In addition to these, extra information can be entered, e.g. work or renovations carried out. 

With the help of one's family, each person will identify the elements in their own house and note them down in the grid provided by the teacher. Back in the classroom, share the information gathered and discuss what elements are common in all houses that can help protect us in the event of an earthquake. 

What are the main actions to take in the event of an earthquake Sudden ground shaking resulting from movements of the earth’s crust ? What is important to know about our home that can save our lives in the event of an earthquake?

The teacher can share a list of Correct behaviours (see attached "Feel Safe...at home - Correct behaviours" below) and lead a discussion with the class on the right and wrong actions to take in the home in case of an earthquake.