Planning ahead: First aid supplies are part of the basic emergency kit Ashley has set aside for use in times of crisis.
“WHAT’S the first thing you’d do if you sensed danger – like feeling the ground shake, seeing the water level rise rapidly, or being caught in a fire?”
I posed this question to my friends and family, and their responses ranged from “Check my phone to see if there’s something to be concerned about” to “I’d grab my cat”.
Some answers made me laugh, while others made me pause and think. Almost no one said, “Run out” or “Evacuate the building”. I also noticed that no one mentioned calling emergency services.
Many of us are unprepared for emergencies, especially since Malaysia is not prone to earthquakes and other natural disasters. As a result, we may know how to post about a fire on social media, but not what to do if one actually breaks out in our homes.
So, what should we do when disaster strikes? Here are a few tips I recently learnt.
The first step is to stay calm and take a deep breath, as panic will only make things worse. Then, depending on the situation, take the appropriate actions.
In an earthquake, for example, drop to the ground, take cover under something sturdy like a table, and hold on.
In a flood, move to higher ground and avoid walking or driving through water.
In a fire, follow the “stop, drop and roll” rule if your clothes catch fire. Stay low to avoid the smoke and exit quickly.
These steps may sound simple, yet few of us know them – or are prepared to follow them – when disaster strikes.
Even though I was trained as a first aider in school, I realised I did not have a plan of action for an emergency – no checklist, no first aid kit and no emergency bag.
I wouldn’t even know where to go in the event of a crisis. Much like my friends, I had assumed I would just know what to do when the time came.
But with natural disasters occurring more frequently and closer to home, this complacency is difficult to justify. Therefore, I have recently started taking small steps.
First, I have put together a basic emergency kit containing bottled water, snacks, a torch, a spare phone charger, and first aid supplies.
I have also saved emergency contacts on my phone under a clearly labelled emergency group. And I have begun learning more about the potential risks in my area.
This is not paranoia – our world has changed. Who would have imagined that the recent earthquake in Myanmar could cause tremors so intense in neighbouring Bangkok, Thailand, that a building collapsed?
Floods have also become more severe in city areas in recent years. And while the Putra Heights pipeline fireball wasn’t a natural disaster, it still forced residents to evacuate immediately and caused significant damage.
That said, emergency preparedness should not be a personal project alone. Since we are all exposed to these risks, it should be prioritised in our education.
Schools should include basic emergency management in the curriculum so that children and teenagers are equipped to handle emergencies.
Local authorities could conduct drills or send out reminders about what to do in different scenarios.
Even short sessions on basic first aid or fire safety could go a long way in saving lives.
Ashley, 17, a student in Kuala Lumpur, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities.
1) Imagine an emergency scenario (for example, an earthquake, flood or fire). Role-play what you and your friend would do in this situation. Use emergency-related vocabulary, such as “evacuate”, “stay low” and “seek shelter”.
2) Prepare a list of emergency kit items (for example, a torch, water, bandages). Then, play a guessing game with a friend. Describe each item without naming it (for example, “This item helps you see in the dark”). Your friend will write down the name of the item. The winner is the one who correctly guesses the most items from their friend’s list.
The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.
