Remember fire drills when you were a kid. The alarm would go off, and because you had practiced, you and your chums knew exactly what to do. That’s the goal of the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill - to prepare us, and our chums, to know exactly what to do in the event of an earthquake.
What to do: DROP, COVER and HOLD ON
DROP to the ground before the earthquake drops you.
Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table and
HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.
Stay Indoors until the shaking stops
Unlike a fire drill, where exiting the building is number one, in an earthquake you are safer if you stay where you are until the shaking stops. Look around you now, before an earthquake, and identify safe places such as under a sturdy piece of furniture or against an interior wall.
What if you are outdoors?
If you are outdoors when the shaking starts, find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, streetlights and power lines then DROP, COVER and HOLD ON. Stay there until the shaking stops.
What if you are driving?
If you are driving, pull over to a clear location, stop and stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Once the shaking stops, proceed with caution and avoid bridges or ramps that may have been damaged.
The best way to be prepared is to practice. Watch for daily updates and plan to participate in the 2018 Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill on October 18 at 10:18 am.