This Thursday, October 20, the "Shakeout" seismic mega drill will take place, which seeks to unite and help people around the world to raise awareness and practice earthquake safety, an event to which various cities in California have joined.
While ShakeOut started in California, this event has been hosted in many other states and countries as well. International ShakeOut Day is every third Thursday in October.
ShakeOut is a one minute earthquake drill: you decide when, how and where you want to do it and with whom.
And it is that, 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 measures 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 for organizing in 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 Get counted and included in your community, receive email updates, and have peace of mind knowing you can weather any earthquake in the future.
Drop, Cover and Hold On
Why is it important to do a drop, cover, and hold on 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 to 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 quake knocks you over!, COVER by getting 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 come out. In most buildings, you will be safest 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 on until the shaking stops. Once the shaking stops, proceed with caution and avoid bridges or ramps that may have been damaged.
The shaking of the ground 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 that a person move as little as possible to get to the safe place they have identified because most injuries occur when people attempt to move more than a short distance during shaking.
Look around you now and identify safe places like under sturdy 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 move to the 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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