※You wake up in the middle of the night and realize your house is on fire. After warning everyone, what other steps can you take?
A. Run out of the house as fast as you can.
B. Open all the doors and windows to improve ventilation1.
C. If there is smoke in a room, crawl across the floor.
D. If a closed door does not feel hot, it's safe to open it and walk through.
Answer: The only correct answer is “C.” Do not run. Stay calm and walk quickly out of the house. Opening doors and windows can cause a draft2 that can fan the flames and make them stronger. Even if a door doesn't feel hot, you should still duck3 to one side and open the door slowly, bracing4 it with your foot to keep it from opening too fast.
※Your family makes a mistake and tries to drive home at night through a snowstorm. You get stuck on5 a road that's far from any shelter and rarely traveled. What do you do?
A. Stay with the car and wait for help.
B. Keep the car running all night if you have to.
C. Keep the windows shut to keep the warm air in.
D. Do not leave the inside car light on, as it will drain the battery.
Answer: The only correct answer is “A”. Never try to walk through a blizzard6; it's too easy to get lost. To conserve gas, run the car 10 minutes every hour just to take the chill out of7 the air. Open a window on the side of the car away from the wind for ventilation. Keep the dome light8 on since it barely drains the battery and makes the car easier to see at night.
※ The first step in staying safe during a tornado9 is to know when one is coming. Which of the following are signs of a tornado?
A. Heavy rain or hail.
B. Sky turns dark green.
C. Clouds appear to be bulging10 downward instead of upward.
D. The wind dies and everything becomes still.
Answer: All of the above can be signs of a tornado. If you hear of a tornado warning in your area, move your family to an area of safety. A storm cellar11 of an interior room without windows is a good spot. Cover yourself with blankets or pillows.
The Rule of Three
Remember, the best way to prevent injury or death on a backcountry hike is to travel in a group of at least three. That way if somebody gets hurt, one person can perform first aid while the third person goes for help.
※ You're at home, and a flood watch has been issued12 for your neighborhood. There's no need to evacuate13 yet, but which of the following steps can you take immediately?
A. Bring outside equipment indoors or tie it down14.
B. Pile sandbags against the foundation of your house to prevent water from entering.
C. Unplug all electrical appliances and equipment.
D. If you are trapped in15 your home by rising waters, swim for safety if you're a strong swimmer.
Answer: “A” and “C” are correct answers. There's no need to pile sandbags against the foundation of your house; it's actually good if water gets into the cellar because it equalizes16 the pressure inside and outside the foundation. No matter how strong a swimmer you think you are, don't try to swim through floodwaters. Move to the second floor or the roof if you have to.
※ If an earthquake strikes, which of the following should you do?
A. If you're inside, get outside as fast as you can.
B. If you're outside, take shelter near the strongest building you can find.
C. If you're in a car, pull over17, but stay in the vehicle.
D. Wait until the tremors18 are over before returning to structures weakened by the earthquake.
The only correct answer is “C.” If an earthquake strikes while you're inside, stay away from windows and outside doors and instead duck19 underneath an object that can provide overhead support. If you're outside, stay away from buildings and look for the largest open space you can find. When the tremors are over, beware20 of aftershocks21—they can knock down anything that was weakened by the initial22 quake.
1. ventilation n. 空气流通
2. (back) draft逆通风，即密封的房内充满高温高压可燃气体，一打开房门，室外空气涌入，导致突然爆炸燃烧。
3. duck v. 迅速低下头或弯身，躲闪
4. brace [breis] v. 支住
5. get stuck on 停留，固定，此指汽车抛锚
6. blizzard n. 大风雪
7. take the chill out of sth. 驱除寒气
8. dome light 车内圆顶灯
9. tornado n. 飓风，龙卷风
10. bulge v. 凸出，膨胀
11. storm cellar 防风地下室
12. issue a flood watch 发出洪水警报
13. evacuate v. 疏散
14. tie down 系住，拴住
15. be trapped in 陷入困境
16. equalize v. 使…相等
17. pull over 开到路边
18. tremor n. 震动，颤动
19. duck v. 急忙蹲下；闪避
20. beware of v. 小心，谨防
21. aftershock n. 余震
22. initial adj. 最初的