The International ShakeOut Day, every third Thursday of October, is a day of individual and community events featuring the largest earthquake drill ever, organized to inspire others to get ready for big earthquakes, and to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes. What we do to prepare now, before the next big earthquake, will determine how well we can survive and recover.
Understanding Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills
Imagine a world where everyone, regardless of where they live, work, or travel, knows how to protect themselves during earthquakes. Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills make this vision a reality. These annual events provide millions of people worldwide with the opportunity to learn and practice earthquake safety.
Participants from all walks of life, including schools, businesses, non-profits, government agencies, neighborhoods, organizations, and households, come together to practice essential actions like “Drop, Cover and Hold On.” The primary goal of ShakeOut is to encourage individuals and organizations to be well-prepared, ensuring they can not only survive but also recover quickly when the next significant earthquake strikes.
ShakeOut had its beginnings in Southern California in 2008 and has since grown to encompass participation across the United States and several other countries. In 2021, over 30 million people worldwide took part in ShakeOut, showcasing its global impact. The best part? Participation is completely free and can take just a few minutes, depending on your drill plans. Discover more and register at ShakeOut.org.
Preparing to Survive and Recover
Being prepared for earthquakes involves knowing what steps to take before, during, and after the event. Visit EarthquakeCountry.org/sevensteps to familiarize yourself with the Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety:
**PREPARE (before an earthquake):**
- Safeguard your space by identifying potential hazards and securing movable items.
- Create an emergency plan and establish communication strategies. Where will your family meet? How will you commute to work? Do you have the skills to perform CPR or use a fire extinguisher?
- Organize emergency supplies in easily accessible locations.
- Reduce financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property, and considering insurance coverage.
**SURVIVE (during and just after an earthquake):**
- Take action with “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” or other recommended actions when you feel shaking or receive an alert. Adapt to your situation if needed.
**RECOVER (after an earthquake):**
- Enhance safety post-earthquake by evacuating if necessary, assisting the injured, and preventing further injuries or damage.
- Reconnect and restore daily life by reuniting with others, repairing damage, and rebuilding your community.
Remember, during emergencies, communicate via text messages instead of calling to keep phone lines available for critical use. If you have earthquake insurance and your property sustains damage, reach out to your insurance agent or company for assistance.
Safety first! Plus, having a financial plan in case of an emergency is critical too. Protecting your largest asset can include securing an earthquake insurance policy. Be aware that damage from an earthquake is not covered by your standard homeowners policy, so researching additional coverage is necessary. When your own home is affected by an earthquake, you’ll want to have Earthquake Insurance in place to assist with rebuilding. Find out how affordable this can be with a quick quote from QuakeInsurance.com.
