Are You Shaking Out?
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A County employee demonstrates the proper way to Drop, Cover and Hold On during an earthquake. All County employees who are able to are encouraged to practice the move during the October 18 ShakeOut drill.
Quick, what would you do if a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck right now? Do you know what to do? Now, what about your family at home, school or work?
“People tend to focus on Northern California when it comes to earthquake risk. But it is important to remember that there is a potential for a damaging and maybe devastating earthquake right here in San Diego County,” said Holly Crawford, director of the San Diego County Office of Emergency Services.
San Diego has several faults in the region that could produce maximum credible quakes in the range of magnitude seven – and that’s a significant earthquake.
“The ShakeOut drill is a great opportunity for County employees to practice what they will do if they are at work when an earthquake happens,” said Crawford. “We also encourage employees to take it a step further and learn how to prepare for a disaster like this at home, so they can have peace of mind that their family is safe and has emergency provisions.”
At 10:18 a.m. on Thursday, 10/18, more than 9.3 million people are going to drop, cover and hold on at their homes, workplaces, schools or other public meeting areas to practice what experts say is the best response in an earthquake.
The drill takes just 90 seconds to do. It may seem silly, but practice helps cement the thinking process and make it instinctive. Remember, in a real earthquake, your stress levels will be high and you may forget the right thing to do. That’s why annual drills are important.
Everyone can register their families at ShakeOut.org and find interesting resources for holding a drill such audio and video recordings to play at 10:18 a.m. with earthquake sound effects and a narrator telling people what to do.
You may also find earthquake information on the ShakeOut site or on the County’s ReadySanDiego.org site..
In a recent informal employee poll on InSite, a majority of employees (864) said they did not have an emergency plan for their family and need to visit ReadySanDiego to prepare one. Some 301 employees responded that they did have a plan.
What to do during a quake …
- Drop, Cover and Hold On under a table or desk. The main goal is to protect your head and body from items that may fall onto you. By dropping to the ground, you keep from falling over due to the shaking.
- If there’s nothing to get under, slide down against an interior wall and cover your head.
- If outside, sit down in an open area away from buildings, bridges, trees, utility wires, and cover your head.
- If driving, pull over in an open area, away from bridges, trees, electrical wires, signs.
Before an earthquake …
- Secure heavy furniture or fixtures at home to keep them from falling over and injuring someone
- Adhere glass or decorative items to shelves so they do not fall.
- Create or update your Family Disaster Plan.
- Create or update your home or work emergency supplies kit. It should last you and your family a minimum of three days.
Find information on ReadySanDiego.org.
Employees may also consider downloading our newest emergency app which has a mobile version of the family disaster plan and includes tips on what to do in eight kinds of disasters including earthquakes. It’s free and available at SDCountyEmergency.com.
After an earthquake …
- Check yourself and then others for injuries.
- Administer first aid if needed.
- Check for fires and other hazards such as gas leaks.
- If electricity is out, listen for updates on your battery-powered radio.