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Mount Fuji, Japan -

This Japanese volcano is located only 62 miles (100 km) from Tokyo, with more than 40 million people living in the city’s greater metropolitan area. In fact, it is notable as the largest city in the world!

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Kīlauea, Hawaii, USA -

This is one of five volcanoes that form the island of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean, and it is certainly one of the most active volcanoes in the world. But despite this, many local residents call the base of this volcano home.

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Popocatépetl, Mexico -

The active volcano Popocatépetl is situated only 43 miles (70 km) from the nation’s capital, Mexico City, where more than 20 million people live.

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Mount Vesuvius, Italy -

Perhaps one of the most famous volcanoes is Mount Vesuvius in Italy, which destroyed the city of Pompeii in 79 CE. But despite its tragic history, there are still some that choose to live near the volcano. Are you thinking of being one of them? Let’s see what you should know if you decide to move!

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Research -

If you’re thinking of moving to an area next to an active volcano, we recommend that you thoroughly research the volcano's history, eruption patterns, and potential hazards. Educating yourself and your family could mean the difference between life and death.

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Local authorities -

Local authorities constantly issue alerts and evacuation procedures. Stay informed with these alerts on a daily basis.

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Emergency kit -

Prepare an emergency kit that includes food, water, medical supplies, and important documents. Remember: you need to be able to grab this kit in a hurry, so don’t make it unnecessarily bulky.

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Insurance -

Interestingly, you can obtain insurance that is specifically designed to cover volcanic hazards. Although we should warn you: the premium is probably quite high.

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Evacuation plan -

For your home, you should develop a clear evacuation plan with designated meeting points and routes. Perhaps putting up signs with these routes would be even more beneficial.

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Regular drills -

If you want to make sure that you and your family are well versed in the evacuation procedure, we recommend that you conduct regular drills to practice.

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Transportation plans -

Volcanic eruptions could lead to the blocking of roads and the disruption of public transport. As best you can, you should develop alternative transportation plans in case your usual travel routes are obstructed.

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Community support -

Build a strong network within the local community to support each other during emergencies. In the same vein, you should establish proper communication channels with anyone you can–neighbors, friends, or family–in case of disaster.

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Stay informed -

Keep a battery-powered radio or other devices for receiving emergency broadcasts. This will help you stay in communication with the outside world even after disaster strikes.

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Monitoring -

Stay updated on volcanic activity through reliable sources such as geological surveys and observatories. If you wish, you can even invest in personal volcanic monitoring equipment if available and feasible.

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Resilient infrastructure -

Although this point is usually reserved for engineers and contractors, you could do well to ensure that your home and infrastructure are built to withstand volcanic hazards like ash fall and lava flows.

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Protective gear -

Most injuries and deaths from volcanic eruptions occur because of ash inhalation. Be sure to have protective gear, such as masks and goggles, readily available to mitigate ash exposure.

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Safe zones -

Residential areas located near active volcanoes usually have safe zones that offer protection during eruptions. Identifying these safe zones and shelters in the vicinity could save your life.

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Protect water sources -

Depending on where you live, there may be water sources that face potential exposure to volcanic ash and debris. It would be wise to safeguard these water sources from contamination.

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Food supply -

While an emergency kit would help if you were to escape from your home, you have to plan for the possibility that you might be trapped inside. Always try to maintain a stockpile of non-perishable food items for such emergencies.

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Medical preparedness -

Stock up on necessary medications and first aid supplies. This is very important if any of your family members have medical conditions that can be worsened by an emergency.

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Emergency funds -

Anything can happen during an emergency, and insurance may not cover every unexpected expense. Be sure to have funds set aside for such circumstances.

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Pets -

Beyond your own safety, you should also think of your furry friends. Develop plans to evacuate and care for your pets in the event of a volcanic eruption. Identify potential shelters or accommodations that accept animals, and be sure that they also have plans put in place in case of an eruption.

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Crops and livestock -

If you have crops or livestock around your home, you should implement measures to protect them from volcanic ash and gases.

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Stay calm -

In case of an eruption, remember to remain calm and follow instructions from authorities. Follow the plan that you have set out, and know that panicking does not help and will likely lead to injury.

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Stay indoors -

During ash fall, stay indoors to avoid respiratory issues and minimize exposure to ash. If you need to leave an indoor area, then do so safely and with the appropriate equipment.

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Stay updated -

Continuously monitor official channels for updates on volcanic activity. Some cities even have cell phone apps that provide frequent information to local residents, so it might be beneficial to download them.

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Stay flexible - Anything can happen, and no amount of preparedness can result in 100% safety. We are only human, after all. Be willing to adapt your plans based on changing volcanic activity and recommendations from authorities.

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Regular maintenance -

Living near an active volcano means that anything can go wrong quickly. If you regularly keep your property well-maintained, it could reduce the risk of damage during volcanic events. Trim vegetation, secure loose objects, and reinforce structures as necessary.

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Cultural awareness -

Respect local cultures and traditions related to volcanic activity and mitigation strategies. A lot of these strategies have been implemented for centuries, and it might be crucial for you to adhere to them.

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Regular review -

Naturally, things are always changing. If you want to live in the shadow of a volcano, we recommend that you regularly review and update your emergency preparedness plans based on new information and experiences.

Sources: (FirstAidKitSurvival.com) (Go-Etna) (British Geological Survey) (National Geographic)

See also: Are you in one of the most dangerous volcanic areas in Europe?

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