What is the ShakeOut?
Each year, the Earthquake Country Alliance brings awareness to earthquake safety through their international event, The ShakeOut. This is a day to review what you need to do if you find yourself in an earthquake and reminds you to:
DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON
- DROP down onto your hands and knees
- COVER your head and neck with your hands and under a sturdy table or desk if possible
- HOLD ON to your shelter until the shaking stops
The Earthquake Country Alliance has an excellent website (click here) filled with information on how to prepare for an earthquake, survive during the shaking and how to recover depending on your place of residence. Living in California, also known as earthquake country, it is important to register and participate in the Great California ShakeOut on October 15th.
Seven Steps to Safety
Staying safe when the earth shakes is more than just what we do DURING an earthquake. We can PREPARE to SURVIVE and RECOVER by following the Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety prepared by the Earthquake Country Alliance (highlights of each step below, for more information click here).
Prepare Step 1: Secure your space. Earthquake shaking can move almost anything, even large or heavy items. Imagine your home being picked up and shaken sideways – what would be thrown around? How can you prevent it? Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items.
Prepare Step 2: Plan to be safe. Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency. Before the next earthquake, get together with your family or housemates to plan now what each person will do before, during and after an earthquake.
Prepare Step 3: Organize disaster supplies. Organize disaster supplies in a few convenient locations – your HOME, CAR, SCHOOL and at WORK. Make a “grab-and-go” backpack with things you may need in an evacuation AND organize supplies for staying in your home for up to three weeks. The San Diego Union Tribune created a visual list of the most important items to gather for just such an emergency. Click here to view!
Prepare Step 4: Minimize financial hardship. Earthquakes may last only seconds, but they can shake up our lives for weeks and months to come. You can minimize your financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property, and purchasing earthquake insurance.
Survive Step 5: Drop, Cover, and Hold On. When the earth shakes: DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON! The farther you move while the ground is shaking, the more likely you are to be hurt.
Survive Step 6: Improve safety. Right after an earthquake, you can improve safety by evacuating if necessary, helping the injured and preventing further damage.
Recover Step 7: Reconnect and restore. In the days and weeks that follow, restore daily life by reconnecting with others, repairing damage, and rebuilding community. You, your family, friends and neighbors can come together to start the process of recovery.
Join the millions of others participating in the ShakeOut! by registering HERE. If October 15, 2020 does not work for you, your family, or business you can hold your drill when and where it is convenient for you. The important thing is preparing now will give you confidence that you and your family will stay safe when the earth shakes.