It had already been more than the critical 72 hours seen as a cutoff point for finding Turkish earthquake survivors.

But over 80 hours later, 16-year-old Melda Adtas was pulled out alive, leaving her overjoyed father in tears and the grieving nation cheering a rare piece of good news after Monday’s magnitude —7.8 tremor, which has now left more than 22,000 dead across Turkey and Syria.

Melda’s father felt nothing but relief, as rescuers pulled the teen out of the rubble (碎石). “My dear, my dear!“ he called out, as the watching crowd broke into applause. It took rescue workers five painstaking hours to save her life after neighbors raised the alarm. They had heard sounds from the splintered walls. For Melda and others in Antakya, the biting cold worsened an already desolate situation.

Hopes rose after rescuers found three people alive in the same building, only a floor above Melda. So the rescuers and her panicked father went looking, determined to find the missing girl. When rescuers discovered Melda, she was stuck under a wall that had collapsed.

Suleyman, the man leading her rescue effort, is one of a group of Black Sea miners who headed south to help. Without him, the operation could not have been carried out, his co-workers said. He knows his way around dark, narrow spaces.

Working in silence to maintain contact with Melda, the rescuers removed one obstacle after another, as onlookers watched anxiously. Then all of a sudden, they reached the cold, bruised young girl who was very much alive, and gently brought her to a waiting ambulance.

Several rescuers, wearing helmets, covered in dust and with tired faces, held the stretcher, protecting Melda with a blanket against the cold and prying eyes. Once Melda was safely in the ambulance, many hugged, kissed and congratulated the rescuers. Several could not hold back tears.

“We haven’t worked for nothing. We have pulled a girl from the rubble,” one said.

“God bless you ll!” her father shouted.

“I was really scared at first, then it was kind of fun. Then, when more earthquakes happened, I didn’t think it would ever stop. I wanted to sleep with my Mom and Dad. I only felt safe in a room with a table to hide under,” said San Jose, age 9. Your child may appear to be acting well immediately following an earthquake and then suddenly turn shocked over a small aftershock ( 余震 ) two months later. Children react a little slowly to shocks, so it may be months before any of these feelings are expressed to others. The following are common behaviours, which can be seen in children after an earthquake. Along with them, there are some suggestions for ways that you can support them.

After an earthquake, a child may refuse to talk with others.

Suggestions: Try to get your children to do such activities as drawing or playing with pets together. Talk about what you are feeling or how you might feel in their situation.

Some children may be angry after an earthquake.

Suggestions: The behaviour results from their feeling helpless or hurt inside. It is a try for them to feel stronger. Do not blame the child in front of others. Talk to them about your experiences with loss and anger.

Some children may become depressed after an earthquake.

Suggestions: Their eating or sleeping habits may change. Their behaviour may be less active. Depression can even happen many months after the earthquake. It is very important to address the children’s needs in time, like some food, clothes and friends. Don’t talk about shocking news with them.

Actions speak louder than words to children, so share your tears, anger, and helplessness openly with them.

We all know the danger of fires. It’s good and necessary for a family to learn how to prepare for a fire. Here are some suggestions.

Put a smoke alarm (烟雾警报器) in the house. Smoke from a fire causes the alarm to go off. The alarm makes a loud sound.【小题1】

Make escape plans. We should know all the ways out of the house.【小题2】 Part of the plan is to check all the windows to make sure they can be opened easily.

Buy fire extinguishers (灭火器) in the house. Everyone in the family should know how to use them.

【小题3】 We do fire practice because we teach children about fire safety. Everyone in the family should know the following fire rules:

★Don’t open a hot door! The fire can grow more quickly if you open the door.

★Stay close to the floor! Smoke can be more dangerous than fire.【小题4】

★What will you do if your hair or clothes start to burn? First, stop! Don’t run! The fire burns faster because of more air. Drop! Fall to the floor. Then roll!【小题5】 Put a blanket (毯子) around you to keep air away from the fire that may still be on you.

There are many possible causes for fires. A wise family is ready all the time. If there is a fire, don’t forget to call 119 for help.