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What should I know about earthquakes?
- Learn the “3 must-knows to keep you alive” in earthquakes. The 3 key points will keep you a lot safer in time of earthquake!
- First must-know: choose a new house compliant to seismic design code and seismically reinforce old ones.
The 921 Earthquake caused total or partial damage to more than 100,000 buildings and more than 80% of the deceased were killed by collapsed buildings. Therefore, it is imperative to choose a building compliant to seismic design code. For an old building, it is necessary to have it checked and seismically reinforced if necessary.
- Second must-know: secure furniture and home appliances.
When an earthquake strikes, people can get injured or even killed by falling furniture or home appliances due to violent shaking if not by collapsed buildings! Therefore, it is important to have them propped and secured (by, for example, locks, buckles, anti-slipping devices, holding devices and glass membranes).
- Third must-know: drop, cover and hold on.
You may find it hard to stand straight under the violent shaking when a major earthquake strikes. It is easy to trip on something as you rush outdoors in such a circumstance and the chances to get hit by falling objects are increased as well. Therefore, it is important to “duck before evacuate.” Drop to the ground where you are, take cover and hold onto something. It is also important to look around your place and identify where you and your family can take cover around your place.
- In addition, a few major earthquakes occurred at night in recent years. Power outage often follows earthquakes. It is recommended to install “emergency lighting” at every floor of your building to make evacuation at night much easier.
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What should I do if the surrounding environment is not safe after earthquake?
- Before leaving home for safety, remember to turn the power mains off and shut the gas mains down to prevent fire hazards.
- Go to a nearby school for sheltering if necessary.
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Where can I access complete information of disaster prevention?
- All-out disaster prevention portal at https://bear.emic.gov.tw: it provides personalized disaster prevention warning and response information. In addition to interfacing with various disaster prevention and relief maps and disaster warning info, it is built with a dynamic real-time disaster inquiry function, allowing users for first-hand disaster information, disaster situation and government emergency response.
- Firefighting and Disaster Prevention Museum at https://www.tfdp.com.tw: it provides disaster prevention knowledge (including rumor clarification), information on publicity activities and disaster prevention drills in various counties and cities, as well as disaster prevention posters, manuals and quick facts that can be downloaded and used to improve users' disaster prevention knowledge
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How do I choose legal firecrackers and fireworks? Is there a certified mark for firecrackers and fireworks and where is it attached?
Choose your firecrackers and fireworks with a “firecracker/firework approval mark” on the box. The mark indicates that the product is safe to use. It is required to show the approval mark on the box, body or pack of the firecrackers or fireworks where it is clearly visible.
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What should I do if I find illegal storage or use of firecrackers and fireworks?
Call 119 immediately, and the Department will send a team for investigation.
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Can I play with firecrackers and fireworks at a park? Is there any punishment?
The “Taoyuan City’s Autonomous Rules for Park Management” specify that the Department of Public Works is the competent authority of parks and the parks are under the management of individual district offices. Citizens are advised to consult with the responsible office for use of firecrackers and fireworks.
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Can children play with firecrackers and fireworks? Is there any punishment?
Children under 12 may play with general firecrackers and fireworks under parental supervision. However, firecrackers that “fly, ascend into sky or explode by throwing into a hard surface” are prohibited. (a violation is subject to a fine between NT$ 3,000 and NT$15,000).
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A lot of people play with firecrackers and fireworks deep into the night during Chinese New Year. Can the fire department do anything about it?
Call 119 if you find people are playing with firecrackers and fireworks that fly, ascend into sky or explode by throwing into a hard surface between 10:00 in the evening and 8:00 in the morning. The Department will send a team to ask them to leave and give them citations. The case will be brought to the attention of the Environmental Protection Bureau, police and district office if necessary.
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Can a gas cylinder be dangerous in hot weathers (temperature rise)?
LPG cylinders are required for certification by a professional institute before they are safe to use. They are usually safe to use in normal temperatures without external intervention.
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What should I do if there is a dispute over the use of a gas cylinder?
The issue concerns consumer dispute and, therefore, not part of the Department’s business. In such circumstances, it is advised to call Taoyuan City Government Consumer Service Center at 03-3322101, ext. 5716 or just call 1950 for help.