Prepare for earthquakes with a safety drill
Here in the East Bay, we live in an earthquake zone, so it’s important that we all know what to do to keep as safe as possible during a quake. The Great California ShakeOut [1] is an opportunity to test our emergency preparedness in case of an earthquake.
[2]
At 10:17 a.m. on October 17, millions of people across California will practice earthquake safety with a shakeout drill [3]—Drop! Cover! Hold on!
DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and reduces your chances of being hit by falling or flying objects.
COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand.
- If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath for shelter.
- If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall.
- Stay on your knees, bend over to protect vital organs.
HOLD ON until the shaking stops.
- Under shelter: Hold on to it with one hand and be ready to move with your shelter
- if it shifts.
- No shelter: Hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.
If you use a cane: DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON or sit on a chair, bed, etc. and cover your head and neck with both hands. Keep your cane near you so it can be used when the shaking stops.
If you use a walker or wheelchair: LOCK your wheels (if applicable). If using a walker carefully get as low as possible. Bend over and COVER your head/neck with your arms, a book, or a pillow. Then HOLD ON until the shaking stops.
More information about the Great California Shakeout here in the Bay Area, along with fault maps and numbers to call for information, is available at the Great Shakeout Bay Area [4] web page.