Drop, cover and hold on—these three simple actions will help protect you if a large earthquake occurred in British Columbia. To promote earthquake awareness and emergency preparedness, the City of Richmond is encouraging all residents to participate in the ShakeOut BC earthquake drill on Thursday, October 20 at 10:20 a.m.
During the drill, hundreds of thousands of participants will simultaneously practice the recommended Drop, Cover and Hold On protocol, for up to two minutes: drop to the ground (before the earthquake drops you); take cover by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on to it until the shaking stops.
“The ShakeOut BC drill is an important exercise to educate yourself and your family on how to prepare for a major earthquake in British Columbia,” says Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “Now is the time to get an emergency kit together and practice the drop, cover and hold on actions so your reaction is instinctive if an earthquake ever happened.”