Health & Social Care Essay

An emergency is an unexpected situation that poses immediate risk to health, property or purlieu. Emergencies require immediate and direct actions in order to prevent or reduce the possible after effects of this emergency. The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 defines emergency as an even or situation which threatens serious damage to human welfare, the environment or security in a part of the United Kingdom. Emergencies focus on three types of threat. Those are threats to the environment, peoples welfare and security.An quake is an emergency because it is unexpected and cause severe damage to environment and properties or lands. It can also severely harm human beings who happen to be in the designated area. In order to be prepared for unexpected situations like this there are some procedures people can follow to ensure safety almost them. These are before the earthquake happens Make sure to have a working fire extinguisher, communication device and torchlight. crack first aid Learn how to turn off the gas, water and electricity Make a plan and an escape highway and an assembly point to meet your family after the earthquake. Dont leave heavy objects on shelves. Learn the earthquake plan at school or workplace. During an earthquake procedures have to be taken to ensure uttermost safety. Stay calm. If indoors then stay in and if outdoors stay out. If youre indoors, stand against a wall near the centre of the building, stand in a doorway, or crawl under heavy furniture (a desk or table). Stay away from windows and outside doors. If outdoors, stay away from power lines and buildings as they may fall on you Dont use matches, candles or anything that could start a fire. Dont use elevators. After an earthquake Check yourself and others for injuries. stand first aid if needed. Check appliances, water, gas and electric lines for faults or damages. If damages then shut off the valves. If indoors and it smells of flammable gas then pass on all windows, eav e immediately and report to authority. Follow earthquake plan and listen to the instructions of the person in charge authority figure Expect aftershocks.Whilst evacuating the building members should remain cal and be their dignity and self respect. Everyone should treat each other as an equal and direct them all towards safety. For example, in a nursery setting some children may have disabilities therefore might find it more difficult to follow the procedures instructed by teacher. They should still be seen as an equal and help must be given when needed however, they should not feel as though they are being treated differently from the others.The advantage of having an earthquake plan is that it prepares the individuals with an escape route and gives them a head start on how to deal with it. Having an earthquake plan means the individuals will know what to do when the situation arises and that will save clipping and less panics. However, the disadvantage of having an earthquake plan is that it is clock time consuming. It takes time to make one and one must have the knowledge of the setting in which the earthquake plan will take place.In addition, there may be some who are not informed of this plan therefore will be at loss when the earthquake arises. It is not guaranteed that everyone will follow the plan which contradicts the reason of the plan itself which is the safety of all people at that certain time and place. Plans are bases on predictions and estimations of the future which means there may be turn of events. For example, the plan may direct people towards the safest and quickest exit merely what if that certain exit is damaged and blocked due to the earthquake?