Living & Traveling in Slovenia

Earthquake Preparedness

Much of Slovenia, including Ljubljana, is in a seismically active zone. When the Embassy practices disaster scenarios, it usually involves an earthquake, since it is the most likely large-scale disaster to strike in Slovenia. The information provided here is the same as that presented to Embassy officers serving in Ljubljana. We encourage all Americans in Slovenia to take similar precautions to protect their homes and families.

Be Prepared Ahead of Time

Earthquakes occur without warning, so prior planning, review, and practice can help ensure that you and your family members know what to do when the time comes. 

1. Identify and minimize risks in your home, such as:

• heavy bookcases or tall china cabinets that are not secured to the walls
• appliances that could move enough to break electrical connections
• heavy picture frames or mirrors, especially those hanging over a bed
• cabinet doors that cannot latch firmly closed
• breakable or heavy objects on high or open shelves
• flammable liquids stored in the house

2. Sketch a floor plan of each floor in your residence, identifying exits and safe and dangerous areas of each room. Safe spots include doorways and inside corners. Dangerous spots include areas next to large windows, tall furniture, hanging objects, mirrors, fireplaces, or bookshelves. Reinforce this knowledge, especially with small children, by physically placing yourself and family members in safe locations during drills.

3. Discuss individual duties, evacuation plans, etc. Rehearse the plan on a regular basis. Going through the planning process itself may help you to respond calmly during an emergency.

4. Practice and teach responsible members of your family how to turn off electrical and water mains.

5. Learn how to shut off utilities – gas, water and electricity. Mark the location of shut-off valves and switches on the floor plan. Review shut-off procedures with capable family members. Locate and verify the operability of fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.

6. Decide how to contact family members if they are away from home, remembering that phone service may be unavailable. Keep a list of emergency contacts in a handy location. Decide on a primary and secondary place for family members to gather in the event of an emergency.

7. Tell your children what they should do if they are in school or are separated from you when an earthquake strikes. Check the school emergency plan.

Supplies to Keep on Hand

In a large earthquake, regular services such as utilities, communications, and transportation may be disrupted for several days. You should plan to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.

1. Flashlights with spare batteries
2. Portable commercial radio with spare batteries 
3. First Aid Kit and a first aid guide book
4. Fire extinguishers
5. 72-hour supply of canned or dehydrated food, juices, powdered milk, cereals, dried fruits, and non-salted nuts
6. Water: estimate 2 gallons of bottled water per person per day, and keep a 5-day supply. Periodically replace it to keep it fresh.
7. Water purification tablets and water storage containers
8. Charcoal grill, charcoal, and matches: if you have frozen meat and vegetables in the freezer, be prepared to start cooking these within 24 hours after the electricity is off
9. At least 1 week's supply of any medications or special-diet foods
10. Blankets or sleeping bags and a plastic ground cloth
11. Sanitation supplies: toilet tissue, plastic bags, anti-bacterial soap, and buckets
12. Tool kit including a wrench, hammer, pliers, shovel, screwdrivers, plastic sheeting, axe, pry bar, ladder, heavy gloves, rope, and wire
13. Fuel: if your house is equipped with a generator, keep the fuel tank full
14. Cash: banks may be closed for some time

During an Earthquake

During a major earthquake, you may experience shaking that starts out gently and within a second or two grows violent and knocks you off your feet; or, you may be jarred first by a violent jolt, as though your house was hit by a truck, followed by the shaking. In either case, it will be very difficult or impossible to move from one room to another.

1. Tell yourself to remain calm. Shouting or screaming will only panic others. 
2. If you are indoors, stay there, preferably under a door frame or near an inside corner. Stay away from windows and tall heavy furniture. Do not hide under tables or beds. Cover your nose with cloth to filter the dust in the air.
3. If you are in a high-rise apartment building, stay in the building on the same floor. Do not use the elevator, and be careful on stairs that may be weakened. Do not run out of the building, as falling debris may strike you. Wait out the shaking where you are, and then if necessary leave the building afterwards. 
4. If you are using a gas stove, turn off the stove at the first sign of shaking.
5. If you are outside, get into the open, away from buildings, trees, and power lines.
6. If you are in a crowded public building, do not rush to the doorways, since other people will have the same idea. Move away from display shelves containing objects which may fall.
7. If you are in your car, pull to the side of the road and stop. Do not park under overpasses (falling concrete) or power lines (electrical shock hazard) or near utility poles. Stay in your car until the earthquake is over.
8. If you are inside a car and power lines have fallen on the vehicle, do not attempt to exit the vehicle. If you are outside a car and power lines have fallen on the vehicle, do not touch or attempt to enter the vehicle.
9. If the earthquake has been severe, do not attempt to cross bridges or overpasses that may have been damaged.
10. Do not be surprised if the electricity goes out, and car and building alarms or sprinkler systems activate.

After It Stops Shaking

1. Move to an open area. If inside, prepare for aftershocks by removing from high places any heavy items that may still fall.
2. Check for injuries, and give first aid to those in need. Do not move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger of injury or death in their present location.
3. Put out any small fires using your fire extinguisher. Do not attempt to put out large fires.
4. Turn on your radio for news updates. 
5. Put on thick-soled shoes or boots to protect from debris and glass.
6. Take those less seriously injured to the hospital, but expect long waits there.
7. Check gas, water, electrical lines, and appliances for damage.
8. Switch off electrical power if there is damage to your home’s electrical wiring. Do not touch downed wires or broken appliances.
9. Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches and flammable liquids.
10. If you must use the toilet, plug the bathtub and sink drains to prevent possible sewage backup.  
11. If you must leave your home for safety, post a large sign on the front door indicating your name, destination, and physical condition, as well as the names of family members or others who are accompanying you and their physical conditions.