At 10:21 today, millions will drop, cover and hold on

GREAT CALIFORNIA SHAKEOUT

by Eloy Gomez

safety/emergency coordinator

At 10:21 a.m. today, Oct. 21, 2021, millions of Californians will “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” in The Great California ShakeOut, the state’s largest earthquake drill ever. All senior communities are encouraged to participate in the drill (or plan a more extensive exercise). Major earthquakes may happen anywhere you live, work or travel.

The ShakeOut is a chance to practice how to protect ourselves and for everyone to become prepared.

The goal is to prevent a major earthquake from becoming a catastrophe for you and your community. Why is a “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” drill important? To respond quickly, you must practice often.

You may only have seconds to protect yourself in an earthquake before strong shaking knocks you down or something falls on you Here are a few suggestions for what senior communities can do to participate in the ShakeOut. Learn more at ShakeOut. org/ california/howtoparticipate.

Plan Your Drill:

• Have a “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” drill at 10:21 a.m. on Oct. 21. You can also practice other aspects of your emergency plan.

• Discuss what you learned and make improvements.

Get Prepared for Earthquakes:

• Create (or update) and practice an overall disaster plan

• Secure furnishings and other contents in living spaces with appropriate seismic restraints.

• Encourage neighbors to participate and prepare at home.

• Organize a support network for those who need to be evacuated.

• Keep at least a seven-day supply of disaster survival supplies including essential medications.

How to Participate:

• DROP where you are onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and also allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby.

• COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand.

If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it.

Otherwise, shelter next to an interior wall with no windows.

Stay on your knees and bend over to protect vital organs

• HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If you are sheltering under a desk or table, hold on to it with one hand and be ready to move with it if it shifts If you are sheltering next to a wall, hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.