It’s a question that crosses the minds of many who have felt the ground shake: “What if I’m in the bath when an earthquake hits?”

If you experience an earthquake while taking a bath, it’s important to act calmly. Here are some tips to help you evacuate safely:

1. 1.When you feel a tremor:

• ・Open the door immediately to prevent being trapped in the bathroom during an earthquake.

• ・Lower your body to protect yourself from falling objects and take shelter under a sturdy piece of furniture or against a wall.

• ・ Remain seated in the bathtub if you’re already in it to prevent injuries during an earthquake,. avoid sudden movements.

1. 2.Once the shaking stops:

• ・Wear slippers or other footwear: Since the bathroom is slippery, be careful not to fall and protect your bare feet from broken glass or other debris.

• ・Check your surroundings: Check for gas leaks, fires, and any other potential hazards.

• ・Evacuate quickly: Once you’ve confirmed it’s safe, evacuate the building as quickly as possible.

1. 3.If an earthquake strikes while you’re shampooing;

• Don’t rinse your hair. Instead, prepare to evacuate immediately. Wrapping a towel around your head can provide privacy and protect your eyes from shampoo. Wait until the shaking stops completely and it’s safe before rinsing out the shampoo.

There won’t be time to get dressed!

• If a major earthquake strikes while you’re in the bath, there won’t be time to get dressed. To ensure your safety, you’ll need to evacuate immediately. Wrap yourself in a bath towel and escape. While it may feel embarrassing, saving your life is the top priority. If you have a bathrobe, it’s preferable to wear that instead. For those who feel uncomfortable evacuating in just a bath towel, consider keeping a bathrobe in your bathroom as a safety item.

Even if you’ve mentally prepared yourself for an earthquake while bathing, it’s not uncommon to panic when one actually happens.

To help you respond effectively in such a situation, here are some items that can be handy to have nearby.

• ・A robe or other cover-up： Many people keep towels or pajamas in the bathroom, but a robe or something similar that you can quickly slip into can be really helpful in an emergency.

• ・A mobile phone: If you find yourself unable to move from the immediate area of the bathroom during an emergency, you can use your phone to call for help.

• ・Slippers or other footwear: Having slippers or other footwear nearby can help you evacuate quickly without injuring yourself on broken glass or other debris.

• ・A disaster preparedness bag: Keep a disaster preparedness bag in an easily accessible location so you can grab it quickly in an emergency. A waterproof bag is ideal, as you may need to handle it with wet hands or if it’s raining.