What to do - Bradyseism

Keep yourself informed about the ongoing bradyseismic crisis and, more broadly, the volcanic risk affecting the Phlegraean Fields area by consulting institutional resources, including the websites of Ingv's Vesuvius Observatory, the Civil Protection Department, and the Campania Region.

Find out about your municipality's civil protection plan. If you or someone in your family needs special assistance (people with disabilities or older people), notify your municipality and make sure that specific measures are included in the Civil Protection Plan. 

Attend exercises and informational meetings organized on volcanic risk and bradyseism in your area.

At home and in the workplace:

• Move heavy furniture away from beds or sofas. Secure shelves, bookcases, and tall furniture to walls.
• Hang pictures and mirrors with closed hooks to prevent them from coming off the wall.
• Place heavy items on low shelves; you can secure items with double-sided tape on high shelves.
• In the kitchen, use a stop for opening furniture doors where dishes and glasses are kept so they will not open during the quake.
• Learn where the gas, water taps, and central light switch are and how to shut them off.
• Remember the safe places to shelter in case of an earthquake.
• Prepare an emergency kit containing copies of documents, a first aid kit, a flashlight, spare batteries, etc.

Indoor

•   In the middle of the room, you may be hit by falling objects, pieces of plaster, suspended ceilings, furniture, etc.
•   Stand in a doorway inserted in a load-bearing wall (the thicker one), near a load-bearing wall, under a beam, or take cover under a solid bed or table.
•   Do not rush outside, but wait until the shaking is over.

Outdoor

•   Get away from buildings, trees, streetlamps, and power lines. Pots, tiles, and other materials may hit you
•   Pay attention to the possible consequences of the earthquake: collapse of bridges, landslides, gas leaks, etc.

•   Check the health condition of people around you; if necessary, call the emergency numbers (112, 113, 115, 118), and in the meantime, if you can, provide first aid.
•   Before you leave the house, turn off the gas, water and electricity and wear shoes. Refrain from using the elevator and be careful of stairs that may be damaged.
•   Limit phone use as much as possible.
•   Limit the use of your car to avoid blocking the passage of emergency vehicles.
•   Reach the waiting areas provided in the Civil Protection Plan.

In conjunction with the phenomenon of bradyseism, the Phlegraean Fields area is also affected by volcanic gas emissions from the ground. Some of these gases can harm human and animal health in high concentrations. In particular, carbon dioxide (CO2), which is odorless and colorless, is hazardous. Therefore, access to some areas particularly affected by this phenomenon could be restricted by orders of the mayor.

Therefore, it is also essential to observe the indications provided for this phenomenon:

• Avoid using underground and basement rooms. In particular, please do not use them for sleeping and do not let unaccompanied children access them.
• Avoid staying in areas and structures where volcanic gases can accumulate (cellars, garages, etc.), or reduce the time spent there as much as possible.
• Always ventilate basement rooms before entering them, especially if they have been closed for a long time.
• Avoid areas near volcanic gas emissions, especially at night and in windless, cloudy, foggy conditions.
• If you notice dead animals for no apparent reason or other potentially dangerous situations related to volcanic gas emissions, move away immediately and notify the local police immediately.