5-Minute Message: Drop, Cover, and Hold On Revisited
You probably know about (and hopefully have practiced) the recommended protective action for earthquake safety: Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
The basics are:
DROP to the floor: it’s safer to sit than to fall or to be thrown to the ground.
Take COVER under sturdy furniture: to help protect yourself from falling hazards (the most likely danger) during an earthquake.
HOLD ON to whatever you get under: because during shaking, furniture can “walk” away.
Telling people to do these actions is a small step; getting people to physically practice them is a huge step. If people can’t or won’t take these actions, discuss ways that they can make their environment safer, and have them practice simple ways to protect their head and neck.
Everyone should know how to take basic steps to keep themselves safe!
Tip: When practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On remember that proper position is head down, eyes closed, and face turned away from the hazards. Ignore those pictures showing people with their heads up, eyes open, smiling for the cameras!
