What to Do During an Earthquake?

When the ground begins to shake, staying calm and taking immediate action is vital for your survival. Follow these expert-recommended safety steps:

1. If You Are Indoors: Drop, Cover, and Hold On

Modern safety standards emphasize the "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" technique as the most effective way to prevent injury from falling debris:

• DROP: Get down on your hands and knees. This prevents you from falling and keeps you low.
• COVER: Cover your head and neck with your arms. Crawl under a sturdy desk or table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl next to an interior wall, away from windows.
• HOLD ON: Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops.

2. Key Safety Precautions

• Avoid Windows: Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
• Do Not Use Elevators: Power outages are common during quakes. Do not use elevators; if you are in one when shaking starts, press all buttons and exit as soon as possible.
• Stay Put: Do not run outside while the shaking is happening. Most injuries occur when people try to move to a different location within the building or try to leave.

3. If You Are Outdoors or in a Vehicle

• Outdoors: Move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and utility wires. Once in the open, stay low to the ground.
• In a Vehicle: Pull over safely to a clear area. Avoid stopping near buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking stops.