Earthquakes can strike without warning, so learn before the quake starts how to protect yourself and your family as fully as possible.
If you are indoors:
Drop to the floor. Take cover under something strong like a desk or table, and hold on to it. "Drop, cover and hold" until the shaking stops.
Move away from windows, skylights, doors and things that can fall.
Stay inside, and do not leave the building – you may be hit by falling debris.
If you are outdoors:
Move quickly and safely into the open, away from electrical lines, trees and buildings.
Drop to the ground and cover your head with your arms until the shaking stops.
If you are in a vehicle:
Carefully bring your vehicle to a stop at the side of the road, away from traffic.
Do not stop on or under bridges, under power lines or near roadway signs that might fall.
Once the shaking has stopped you can continue driving, but watch carefully for damage to the roadway.
Earthquakes cannot be predicted, although some scientists are working on this. Because earthquakes strike without warning it is important that every member of your family knows what to do when an earthquake strikes. Learn about your disaster safety plans in the workplace and at your children's school and/or childcare centre.
Create a family disaster safety plan. Assemble a disaster safety kit. Together, identify escape routes from your home and neighbourhood. Choose an emergency meeting place for the family. Be prepared!
The Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction
Toronto Office 20 Richmond Street East, Suite 210, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2R9 Tel: (416) 364-8677 Fax: (416) 364-5889
London Office Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel Laboratory University of Western Ontario 1151 Richmond Street, London, Canada N6A 5B9 Tel: (519) 661-3234 Fax: (519) 661-4273