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Earthquake safe hotels

Jimmy from New York -

Are there any web pages that rate the earthquake safety of hotels or bed and breakfasts in Costa Rica?

How can you be sure a hotel you stay in has been constructed to suitable earthquake resistant standards?

Reply #1 Chloe (63.176.159.246) -

This is a great link with all sorts of tips and procedures including what to do before, during and after an earthquake. It also has useful information on survival kits, emergency supplies and accessory kits. The only subject I couldn't find on this site is the safety rates of the bed & breakfasts/hotels in Costa Rica. I'm sure this will help you out with your other earthquake questions.

Reply #2 kim (63.176.159.44) -

you didnt provide us with the link chloe, so can you give that to us please

Reply #3 Genra (63.176.159.91) -

I do not think hotels will disclosed those critical information on their website out of the public because usually it has to involve them releasing the blue prints of their building. Though it is not a big issue for us concerned travelers and tenants, this is a big deal to the owners of the hotel for scourges like thieves and scammers might use this known information to gain access to critical parts of their hotels.

Reply #4 Kira (63.176.159.146) -

Jimmy, I think hotels will not let people know the real story behind the safety of their establishment..It will cost them lot, but here is a place that seems to be unsafe:

The historic Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park may be unsafe in an earthquake, park officials have concluded. According to the Associated Press, a study revealed the hotel "does not meet modern seismic safety standards and risks partial collapse in a major earthquake." Yikes.

Built in 1927, the structure — with reinforced-concrete walls — may not be strong enough to keep guests safe during a large tremor.

Reply #5 henry Read (63.176.159.146) -

That one was really bad. I wouldn´t believe that houses in CR are particularly "safe". Not like Japanese safety standards, so just keep your eyes open and play it safe. Regards to all.

• Costa Rica earthquake

Reply #6 Chris (63.176.159.247) -

Regardless of where we are it is very important to always remember some safety precautions when facing calamities such as earthquakes:

If indoors

* DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON on until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.

* Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.

* Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.

* Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway.

* Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.

* Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

* DO NOT use the elevators.

If outdoors

* Stay there.

* Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.

* Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits, and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If in a moving vehicle

* Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.

* Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

If trapped under debris

* Do not light a match.

* Do not move about or kick up dust.

* Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.

* Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

• www.fema.gov/hazard/earthquake/eq_during.shtm

Reply #7 Ryan (63.176.159.240) -

When the quake comes stand at the intersection between two rooms and stay there. In my experience you usually hear a noise before the quake like it announces it´s coming. Stay safe.

Reply #8 cwemoy (63.176.159.212) -

I doubt anyone will have all those precautions in mind at the happening of an earthquake. Most of the time we are too frightened to even move but the precautions are worth having in mind.

I agree no hotel would want to divulge if it poses any security threats. However, isn't there supposed to an earthquake safety board that vets whether a particular construction is not prone to such calamities?

Ahwanhee Hotel seems to be unsafe!

Reply #9 Nemoi (63.176.159.54) -

I also think the hotel will not guarantee it's tenants or customers that their establishment is earthquake-free as no establishment on the face of the Earth is like that. Earthquakes are natural phenomena that nobody can stop (though an institute can predict where it could hit). AS far as I know the only thing that hotels can assure its customers is their safety in case of fire if the hotel follows the standard procedure of fire safety imposed by the government.

Reply #10 Jimmy from New York -

Can anyone really get such an assurance in Costa Rica? Or even that the fire safety standards of the government are suitable or imposed?

How many places have you stayed in like small B&B that have a locked door... that you need a key to get out? Bars on the windows and no means of escape in the case of fire or other disaster?

Reply #11 pale_o (63.176.159.212) -

Guys there are no place safe or exempted from any earthquake hit. So in any hotel your in disregarding the country your in, the best thing to do is to know the safety precautions and always be safe.

Whether its earthquake, hurricane, storm, floods or whatsoever calamity that hits your way, just stay focus and do the possible ways to be safe. And when your safe try to extend help.

Reply #12 cwemoy (63.176.159.174) -

Jimmy, are you suggesting Costa Rica's hotel industry has nothing to offer? It could be way behing the USA as far as development is concerned but I think your post is one-sided; to say the least.

There could be loopholes in the whole set up but I beg to differ..unless this site is a whole lot of lies.

• hotels costa rica

Reply #13 Jimmy from New York -

I am saying there are few standards and where they exists they are not enforced. Building are not likely to meet minimal construction standards. Hotels are not likely to meet minimum operating standards.

It is a 3rd World country for a reason.

Have fun and enjoy your trip, but don't take anything for granted.

Reply #14 Eve (63.176.159.74) -

Even though it is not likely to meet operating standards of the US I would still say that they would undoubtedly make sure that their hotel is at least close to ninety percent safe and operational even for a 'third world' nation. You would be surprised to find that many nations which are considered as the 'third world' seem to have a flourishing upper class. A class of people that own countless businesses possibly even in your very own 'first world' country. So why wouldn't rich countries as such, though classified as 'third world' nations, have decent enough Hotel standards when tourism is such a highly valued thing?

Reply #15 Jimmy from New York -

Do you consider it safe to stay in a place with bars on all the windows (no possible exit). Locks on the doors that need a key from the inside (possible exit)?

Earthquake, fire, or any other need for an emergency exit and your stuck inside.

Reply #16 Natascha (63.176.159.113) -

I agree with Jimmy, in most developing countries builders try to build as cheaply as possible (sad, but true). There are usually no regulations at all, everybody just does what they want. If anything, they'll try to build hurricane-safe buildings. I think earthquakes are not a priority.

Jimmy, just as an info: you shouldn't say "3rd world" anymore, it's politically incorrect and condescending. These nations are referred to as developing countries. (Nothing against you at all).

Reply #17 Jimmy from New York -

When they appear to be developing and not just wollowing in their own messes and putting on a pretty face for the tourists... I'll call them developing.

Until then they are 3rd world. Politically incorrect as it may be. For to be politically correct is to help show that false pretty face.

Reply #18 Muscha (63.176.159.211) -

Earthquakes are natural calamities that are always there whenever or wherever we might be. What is important is to know the basic rules to stay safe during this times:

Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety

PREPARE

Step 1: Secure it now! (details on the link below)

Step 2: Make a plan (details on the link below)

Step 3: Make disaster kits (details on the link below)

Step 4: Is your place safe? (details on the link below)

PROTECT

Step 5: DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON! (details on the link below)

RECOVER

Step 6: Check it out! (details on the link below)

Step 7: Communicate and recover!(details on the link below)

• www.earthquakecountry.info/roots/seven_steps.html

Reply #19 Isaac (63.176.159.69) -

Then it is upon the Costa Rican tourism industry to press on the government to make policies that will ensure that the economy booms out of the revenue from the industry.

It is a sad fact that the said developing countries have leaders that do not have issues of state at heart. Unless the masses pressure them, they will continue to fatten their pockets. The eartquakes though are only pronounced in certain continents but sadly, unpredictable.

Reply #20 Jocasse (63.176.159.129) -

There is no such thing as an earthquake-proof hotel and there isn't any hoels capable off withstanding nature's wrath so if you are sane enough you won't be staying in a hotel or an area near the fault line, but even so natural phenomena can struck anywhere. If not an Earthquake, a storm or hurricane might be another danger to think about. So try avoiding these areas with a high rate of a natural catastrophes hitting them.

Reply #21 Deary (63.176.159.230) -

There are ots of guidelines on how to be safe when earthquake hits, but must not we do something before the earthquake approach us? Here is some good tips to deal with approaching earthquake..

Before the Earthquake:

# Learn how to survive during the ground motion.

# Teach all members of your family about earthquake safety.

# Stock up on emergency supplies.

# Arrange your home for safety: Store heavy objects on lower shelves and store breakable objects in cabnents with latched doors. Don't hang heavy mirrors or pictures above where people frequently sit or sleep.

# Anchor heavy appliances and furniture such as water heaters, refrigerators and bookcases.

# Store flamable liquids away from potential ignition sources such as water heaters, stoves and furnaces.

# Get Educated. (details on the link below.)

# Learn where the main turn-offs are for your water, gas and electricity. Know how to turn them off and the location of any needed tools.

• geology.com/articles/earthquake-safety.shtml

Reply #22 moy (63.176.159.10) -

I think the main thing to look at are what are some of the natural disasters prone to Cost Rica hotels. It could be that hurricanes or other storms are not frequent.

Yes, there is no earthquake safe hotel. However, there will be those whose structures would withstand earthquakes with small magnitudes.

The whole topic of discussion is taking precautions. Are there any hotels constructed along fault lines? That would be catastrophic.

Reply #23 Augustine Beak (63.176.159.246) -

I just don't know if I am into these kinds of thing. Isn't it the responsibility of the travel agency to where you book yourselves at? I always make it to a point that I guarantee my travel agent to ensure a safe passage and location for a worry-free vacation. If your travel agent place you in such earthquake-prone hotel or location then I guess that is enough to sue that agency or to look for a more reliable one.

Reply #24 Mico (109.111.97.54) -

Yeah, you have a point there, I think the travel agency should be the primary source of such information. Maybe we should research first if the country is safe or if the country is prepared for such calamities before we go there.

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