Protect Yourself in an Earthquake: The Great ShakeOut!

October 10, 2016

Asphalt Cracked Road CollapsedDrop! Cover! Hold On!

These three, simple steps can help you protect yourself during an earthquake. Federal, state, and local emergency management experts and other official preparedness organizations all agree that this is the appropriate action and steps to take in order to reduce injury and death during earthquakes.

On the third Thursday of October each year, millions of people, all across the world, use the Great ShakeOut Drill as an opportunity to practice their response during an earthquake. The goal of the ShakeOut drill is to get the world prepared for major earthquakes, so plan to take part this year and use the ShakeOut as an opportunity to learn what to do before, during, and after an earthquake.

This year’s drill will take place at 10:20 a.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2016.  You can use this opportunity as a way for you and the children in your care to practice what to do if you feel the earth start shaking!

  1. DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!),
  2. Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and
  3. HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.

For more information on the Great ShakeOut, including how to participate, and resources you can use in your home or child care center, visit www.shakeout.org.

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Topics: Best Practices, Health & Safety, emergency preparedness

Julie Looper Coats

Written by Julie Looper Coats

Julie Looper Coats serves as the Director of Emergency Preparedness and Response at Child Care Aware® of America. Her professional service includes work as Senior Program Analyst for the Medical Reserve Corps project at the National Association of County and City Health Officials in Washington, D.C., where she supported Public Health Preparedness efforts across the country. Julie also has experience in emergency preparedness and response at the local level, working at the Oklahoma City – County Health Department from 2010-2014, where she managed the Oklahoma Medical Reserve Corps during several severe weather deployments, as well as provided support during the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon and other large-scale events. Julie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and a Master’s Degree in Emergency and Disaster Management.