RIVERSIDE, Calif. – At 10:20 a.m. on October 20, nearly ten million Californians in businesses, government offices, organizations, neighborhoods, schools, and as individuals will participate in the largest earthquake drill ever!
They will “Drop Cover and Hold on” in the Great California ShakeOut. Major earthquakes may happen anywhere you work, live, or travel in California. The ShakeOut is our chance to practice how to protect ourselves, and for everyone to become prepared. The goal is to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes.
Why is having a “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” drill important? As with anything, to act quickly you must practice often. You may only have seconds to protect yourself in an earthquake before strong shaking knocks you down, or before something falls on you. In MOST situations, you will reduce a chance of injury during an earthquake if you:

DROP down onto your hands and knees (before the earthquake knocks you down). This position protects you from falling but allows you to still move if necessary.

COVER your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk. If there is no shelter nearby, get down near an interior wall (or next to low-lying furniture that won’t fall on you), and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.

HOLD ON to your shelter (or to your head and neck) until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if the shaking shifts it around.

To learn about more ways that you can participate in the Great California ShakeOut in your home, neighborhood or workplace go to http://www.shakeout.org/
Let’s join millions of Californians who don’t want to leave their safety up to chance!

Riverside Fire Department – Office of Emergency Management
www.readyriverside.com (951) 320-8100