Get Ready to ShakeOut

Millions of people worldwide will practice how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On at 10:19 a.m. on October 19 during Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills, which began in California in 2008.

Californians must get better prepared before the next big earthquake, and practice how to protect ourselves when it happens.

The purpose of the ShakeOut is to help people and organizations do both.

Drop, Cover, and Hold On on 10/19/24 at 10:19 a.m.

Please plan on participating in this 60-second earthquake drill.

In a CLASSROOM / ROOM / AUDITORIUM:

• Drop to the floor.  Do not try to exit during shaking.
• Cover your head and neck with one hand and seek shelter under your desk or table as best as possible.
  If in an auditorium with no tables, take cover between the rows of chairs.
• Hold on to the leg of the desk/table with your other hand.

In a LABORATORY:

• Step back from the lab table.
• Drop to the floor on your knees next to a wall, away from glass and other hazards if possible.
• Cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.
• Hold On to something sturdy during the shaking

Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety

The information in the steps below will help you learn how to better prepare to survive and recover, wherever you live, work, or travel.

When it comes to disaster, there are simple things you can do to make yourself safer. The information on this page is designed as a step-by-step guide to give you details on what to do before, during, and after an earthquake. Start with the simple tips within each step so that you can build on your accomplishments.

An example of this in Step 1 is moving heavy, unsecured objects from top shelves onto lower ones. This will only take minutes to complete and you are safer from that hazard!

Prepare

Before the next big earthquake we recommend these four steps that will make 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 a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency. 

Step 3:
Organize disaster supplies in convenient locations.

Step 4:
Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property, and considering insurance.

Survive and 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 when the earth shakes.

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. Restore daily life by reconnecting with others, repairing damage, and rebuilding community.