The Great California ShakeOut

Information for this article courtesy of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

As National Preparedness Month comes to a close, we want to encourage everyone to stay involved in emergency preparedness all year long. Web tools launched for NPM 2011 will continue to be available at http://community.fema.gov. Discussion forums will continue to allow individuals and organizations to interact and talk about ideas, activities and preparedness events. Partners can continue to post and promote existing and new preparedness events through the Event Calendars throughout the year.

You can also keep the momentum going by joining us and helping to spread the word about the Great California ShakeOut on October 20, an earthquake drill where you can practice how to stay safe during and after an earthquake. Even if you don’t live in California, you can register for a drill near you or register for a drill on another date. The recent earthquake in D.C. reminded us that disasters can strike anywhere and often happen without warning.

And as a reminder, here are a few tips on what to do during and after an earthquake:

• If you’re indoors, DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.

• If you’re outdoors, move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires.

• Voice data networks may be congested after the earthquake (or other disaster), so send a text message or email to friends and family to let them know you’re OK, and update your social network status to say “I’m OK.”

• Follow the direction of local officials when making the decision to return home, and return home only when local authorities have said it’s safe.