Get ready to Shakeout! This Thursday, October 15th is International Shakeout Day, a day dedicated to practicing earthquake safety and planning earthquake preparation. It’s a great time to talk to your family about what to do in an earthquake, and if you can, participate in the nationwide drill at 10:15am.

During an earthquake, the SCEC recommended safety actions are as follows:

DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and also allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby
COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand
If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter
If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows)
Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs
HOLD ON until shaking stops
Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts
No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.

This day also serves as a great reminder to sort through your emergency supplies and restock anything needed, and take a look around your home for any potential hazards during and after an earthquake.

For more earthquake safety and preparation resources, or to sign up for the Great Shakeout, visit https://www.shakeout.org/.