International ShakeOut Day is always the third Thursday of October (this year: October 15). While COVID-19 has brought many uncertainties and challenges, one thing’s for sure: ShakeOut is still happening this year. Major earthquakes may happen anywhere you work, live, or travel. In an earthquake you may only have seconds to protect yourself from possible injuries. At 10:15 a.m. on 10/15, the ESD 112 Safety Committee encourages all ESD 112 employees, in the office or at home, to practice Drop, Cover and Hold On. And while you are at it (since it’s just a drill), snap a selfie and send your photo to safety.committee@esd112.org. We will post pictures on GOesd.
- Drop, Cover, and Hold On: Drop to the ground, take Cover under a table or desk, and Hold On to it as if a major earthquake were happening (stay down for at least 60 seconds). Practice now so you will immediately protect yourself during earthquakes! (See this page for what to do if you are in bed, outside, driving, in a tall building, or other situations.)
- While still under the table, or wherever you are, look around and imagine what would happen in a major earthquake. What would fall on you or others? What would be damaged? What would life be like after? What will you do before the actual earthquake happens to reduce losses and quickly recover?
- (Optional) Practice what you will do after the shaking stops.
- After your drill is complete, have discussions about what was learned and incorporate these lessons into your disaster plan.
Of course, the purpose of this drill is to help all of us all get prepared. What we do now, before a big earthquake, will determine what our lives will be like afterwards. The following are recommendations for what you can do now to prepare:
Personal and Family Preparedness Resources
- Learn about the earthquake risk in your area.
- Do a “hazard hunt” for items that might fall in your home during earthquakes and secure them.
- Create a personal or family disaster-preparedness plan.
- Plan for your family’s specific needs (including seniors, children, and pets).
- Teach all household members how to use a fire extinguisher.
- Create wallet cards (PDF) for each family member with essential contact information.
- Organize or refresh your emergency supply kits (PDF).
- Store at least one gallon of water per person, per day, for 3 days and ideally for 2 weeks.
- What else would you need to be on your own for up to 2 weeks?
- What would you need if you are in your car or office when the earthquake strikes?
- Identify your building’s weaknesses (PDF). Ask a local earthquake retrofitting contractor for a free structural inspection of your home or building. Also, review your insurance coverage, whether home-owner or renter. Consider whether earthquake insurance is right for you.
- Create a game where everyone responds to a signal by practicing Drop Cover and Hold On. Talk to your children about what to expect during and after an earthquake.
- Enroll in a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training to learn more about how to take care of yourself and your family when you are “on your own” after a disaster.
Please check out these additional earthquake preparedness resources:
Earthquake Safety Video Series Learn how you can stay safe from shaking in a variety of situations. (YouTube, captions in English, Spanish, and French)
https://www.shakeout.org/washington/
https://mil.wa.gov/preparedness
https://www.earthquakecountry.org/
https://www.earthquakecountry.org/safer-at-home/
https://www.earthquakecountry.org/library/Seven_Steps_Flyers_English.pdf
https://www.earthquakecountry.org/library/Seven_Steps_Flyers_Spanish.pdf
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