Directions for prevention (7) Be alert to electric conduction fires during evacuation

After a large earthquake, buildings may become distorted due to shaking, making doors difficult to open. When the shake subsides, promptly secure an exit. Don’t panic and be careful not to injure yourself from fallen objects and shattered glass.

When moving to an evacuation center, turn off the breaker. This is to prevent “electric conduction fires” which may occur when electricity is restored. When a large-scale blackout occurred during Typhoon 15 in 2019, there were “electric conduction fires in Chiba Prefecture.”

Electric conduction fires occur when damaged wires short circuits and wet appliances catch on fire. Sometimes there are flammable objects near heaters that have fallen over in a shake, igniting fires once the electricity was restored. When you return from the evacuation center and use electricity, check to see if appliances or wires have been damaged or wet before use.