The Great Washington ShakeOut Day is always the third Thursday of October (this year: October 21). 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 10:21 a.m. on 10/21, the ESD 112 Safety Committee encourages all ESD 112 employees, in the office or at home, to practice Drop, Cover and Hold On. We also encourage you to review the following information to learn how to prepare, survive and recover from a major earthquake.
Prepare
Before the next big earthquake there are four steps that will me you, your family, or your workplace better prepared to survive and recover quickly:
Step 1:
Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items.
Step 2:
Plan to be safe by creating your emergency plan and deciding how you will communicate.
Step 3:
Organize emergency supplies in convenient locations.
Step 4:
Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property, and considering insurance coverage.
Survive & Recover
During the next big earthquake, and immediately after, is when your level of preparedness will make a difference in how you and others survive and can respond to emergencies:
Step 5:
Drop, Cover, and Hold On or other recommended actions (if you feel shaking or get an alert).
Step 6:
Improve safety after earthquakes by evacuating if necessary, helping the injured, and preventing further injuries or damage.
After the immediate threat of the earthquake has passed, your level of preparedness will determine your quality of life in the weeks and months that follow:
Step 7:
Reconnect and Restore daily life by reuniting with others, repairing damage, and rebuilding community.
Additional 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://mil.wa.gov/preparedness
https://www.earthquakecountry.org
https://www.shakeout.org/washington
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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