The Great ShakeOut will commence today, Oct. 18 at 10:18 a.m.
Several Daviess County Public Schools are participating in this drill including Audubon, East View, Meadow Lands and West Louisville Elementary schools, as well as Heritage Park High School.
Federal, state, and local emergency management experts and other official preparedness organizations all agree that “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” is the appropriate action to reduce injury and death during earthquakes.
The ShakeOut is your opportunity to practice how to protect yourself during earthquakes.
Drop to the ground, take Cover under a table or desk, and Hold On to it as if a major earthquake were happening (stay down for at least 60 seconds). Practice now so you will immediately protect yourself during earthquakes.
While still under the table, or wherever you are, look around and imagine what would happen in a major earthquake. What would fall on you or others? What would be damaged? What would life be like after? What will you do before the actual earthquake happens to reduce losses and quickly recover?
A great step for after your “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” drill is to practice how to communicate with family, friends, and co-workers. Texting first before making phone calls is highly recommended.
DO NOT get in a doorway and DO NOT run outside.
The main point is to not try to move but to immediately protect yourself as best possible where you are. Earthquakes occur without any warning and may be so violent that you cannot run or crawl; you most likely will be knocked to the ground where you happen to be.
You will never know if the initial jolt will turn out to be the start of the big one. So you should always Drop, Cover, and Hold On immediately.
In addition, studies of injuries and deaths caused by earthquakes in the U.S. over the last several decades indicate that you are much more likely to be injured by falling or falling objects than in a collapsed building.
Drop, Cover, and Hold On offers the best overall level of protection in most situations.
Learn more from ShakeOut partner Safe America Foundation and their “Text First. Talk Second.” campaign, including how to hold a texting drill.
