VOLCANIC ERUPTION

(What to do before, during and after Volcanic Eruption)

BEFORE THE EXPLOSION

1. Evacuate immediately if you live or are staying within the radius of affected
areas. Long before the explosion, affected areas would have been given a warning
to evacuate the premises by local government units.
2. Stay tuned to national news and your local community’s channels to be on top of
the situation and stay informed with local safety plans and evacuation areas.
Whether it’s through local radio, TV news, or official social channels of news
outlets, make sure that you’re getting reliable information from trusted sources and
not potentially dangerous misinformation from hoax accounts.
3. Charge your electronics. Keep your mobile devices and power banks charged in
case of power interruptions.
4. Know disaster hotlines and other emergency hotlines. Save these numbers in your
mobile phone:
 National Emergency Hotline: 911
 Philippine National Police: 117
 PHIVOLCs – (02) 8426-1468 to 79
 Philippine Red Cross – 143 or (02) 8790-2300
 Bureau of Fire Protection – (02) 8426-0246
 National Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Council
(NDRRMC) – (02) 8911-5061 to 65 local 100
2. Prepare a go-bag in case of evacuation. This should include:
 A mask per person (N95 or makeshift)
 Copies of personal documents
 Phone and powerbank
 Flashlights and batteries or candles and matches
 3 gallons of potable water per person
 3 days worth of non-perishable food
 Hygiene and sanitation items
 First aid kit and maintenance medication
 Extra cash
 

DURING A VOLCANIC ERUPTION

1. Use an N95 dust mask to protect yourself from pulmo-respiratory injuries and
diseases. If these are unavailable, use a damp handkerchief or makeshift one from
an old t-shirt.
2. Protect your skin and eyes with proper clothing and glasses or goggles. Ashfall is
sharp and abrasive, so don’t rub if any comes into contact with your skin or eyes. 
3. Secure your pets inside your home. Fine, volcanic ash is harmful for them too.
 4. If you are outside, seek cover immediately in case of rock or ash falls. 
5. If you are inside, stay tuned to the news to keep informed of recent developments.
Close all doors and windows. Dampen curtains to keep fine particles from coming
through.
6. If you are driving a vehicle, pull over and stop if there is a heavy ashfall. 
7. Cover food and water containers to avoid contamination with ash.
8. Wash all utensils thoroughly before eating. Fine ash particles may have settled on
them.
9. Stay away from rivers or streams to avoid lahar flow.
 

AFTER THE ERUPTION

1. Do not leave your home or indoor shelters until notified by the local government
that it is safe to do so. Evacuate to safer grounds only when notified.
2. Keep a watchful eye on your kids or loved ones who may be tempted to go out to
see what’s going on outside.
3. Wear protection. Use masks, glasses/goggles, long sleeves, pants, and shoes when
clearing out ash to protect your lungs, skin and eyes.
4. Clean your gutters and roof with water after clearing out the ash to prevent
corrosion.
5. Wait for further announcements from LGUs or national news related to the
volcanic eruption.