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People may panic during natural disasters or emergencies such as flooding, landslips or hill fires. The Security Bureau has published a new, bilingual booklet "Simple Guidelines in the Event of Major Mishaps" to provide some safety guidelines to the public on how to avoid panic and to protect themselves from mishaps.
"The booklet mentions some common natural disasters and emergencies including tropical cyclones, rainstorms, thunderstorms, flooding, landslips and strong monsoons. The booklet advises people to stay calm during an emergency. If the place where they are staying is in danger, they should stay with friends or relatives or seek refuge in shelters provided by the Government," a spokesman for the Security Bureau said.
"As 70% of Hong Kong is countryside, the Government attaches great importance to the publicity and education on prevention of hill fires. The newly published booklet advises people how to prevent hill fires and what to do during a hill fire. A hill fire is difficult to detect in daylight, so people should always pay attention to flying ash or a smell of burning. If there is a hill fire, avoid going in the same direction as the prevailing wind and do not run uphill," he said.
The booklet also elaborates on contingency measures in the event of an earthquake, tsunami or nuclear emergency.
"Although Hong Kong is not situated in a seismically active area, and the chance of an intense earth tremor occurring in Hong Kong is very low, the public should be able to react appropriately during and after an earthquake. In addition, a large submarine earthquake can generate a tsunami which travels outwards as a series of waves to affect coastal areas thousands of kilometres away. When a significant tsunami is expected to reach Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Observatory will issue tsunami warnings to maintain public awareness and preparedness," the spokesman said.
The Simple Guidelines recommend people prepare an emergency kit at home for emergency use. The kit includes items such as a torch and batteries, a whistle, a first-aid kit, bottles of distilled water and biscuits.
The booklet also lists the telephone numbers for emergency assistance and enquiry hotlines for the public to inquire about building and slope safety, transport matters and drainage as well as closure of schools.
The booklet is available at the Public Enquiry Service Centres of the Home Affairs Department. Students at primary and secondary schools will obtain the booklet via their schools. Residents can also browse the booklet on the Security Bureau website at www.sb.gov.hk.
Ends/Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:56
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