This Thursday, October 20, the mega seismic drill “Shakeout” will take place, which seeks to unite and help people around the world to raise awareness and practice earthquake safety, an event that several cities in California have joined.
While ShakeOut started in California, this event has also been organized in many other states and countries. International ShakeOut Day is every third Thursday in October.
ShakeOut is a one-minute earthquake drill: you decide when, how, where and with whom you want to do it.
Many areas of the world are prone to earthquakes, and California, especially the Bay Area, is very prone to earthquakes. People can be anywhere when an earthquake occurs: at home, at work, at school, or even on vacation, so it is important to take the necessary steps and know what to do in the event of such an event.
Great ShakeOut earthquake drills are an opportunity to practice being safer during earthquakes, while also calling on you to organize your community, school, or organization to update emergency plans and supplies and secure your space to prevent damage and injury.
The main purpose of the drill is to prepare the world for earthquakes and everyone and everywhere can participate. Those interested in participating can register for free at www.shakeout.org/register to be counted and included in your community, receive email updates, and have the peace of mind of knowing you can handle any future earthquakes.
Duck, Cover, and Hold On
Why is it important to do a drop, cover, and hold drill? To react quickly, you must practice often. You may only have a few seconds to protect yourself in an earthquake before a strong jolt knocks you off your feet or drops something on you. Practicing helps you be ready to respond.
If you are inside a building, do not move more than a few steps, then Drop, Cover, and Hold On: DROP to the ground – before the earthquake knocks you down! – TAKE COVER under a sturdy desk or table, and HOLD ON until the shaking stops.
Stay inside until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to leave. In most buildings, you will be safer if you stay where you are until the shaking stops.
If you are outdoors when the shaking begins, you should find a clear spot away from buildings, trees, streetlights and power lines, then drop, cover and hold on. Stay there until the shaking stops.
If you are driving, pull over to a clear spot, stop, and stay there with your seat belt fastened until the shaking stops. Once the shaking stops, proceed with caution and avoid bridges or ramps that may have been damaged.
Ground shaking during an earthquake is rarely the cause of an injury. Most earthquake-related injuries and deaths are caused by collapsing walls and ceilings, flying glass, and falling objects. It is extremely important for a person to move as little as possible to get to the safe place they have identified because most injuries occur when people try to move more than a short distance during the shaking.
Look around now and identify safe places such as under a sturdy piece of furniture or against an interior wall in your home, office or school so that when shaking starts you can respond quickly. An immediate response to get to a safe place can save lives. And that safe place should be just a few steps away to avoid injury from flying debris.
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