What Do I Do During an Earthquake? – NBC Bay Area

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During an earthquake, the goal is to prevent injuries from falling or from objects that might fly towards you. Here’s a checklist of quick reminders, built from a wealth of resources and past reports, to help keep you safe in a myriad of scenarios.

QUICK VIEW DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON!Do not stand in a doorwayIf indoors, stay inside until the shaking stopsIf outside, drop to the ground and safely get into the openIf in bed at home, cover your head and neck with a pillow, keeping arms as close to your head as possible until the shaking stopsIf in a vehicle, carefully pull over and move your car to the shoulder – then, set the parking breakIf in a wheelchair, make sure to lock your wheelsIf at a BART station, back away from the edge of the trackwayIf in a stadium, do not leave until the shaking is overIf you are near the shoreline, walk quickly to higher ground – a tsunami may arrive within minutes DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON!

DROP DOWN TO YOUR HANDS AND KNEESWherever you are, drop down onto your hands and kneesThe position protects you from falling and reduces you chances of being hit by flying objectsHold on to something sturdyCOVER YOUR HEAD AND NECK WITH ONE ARM AND HANDIf a sturdy table or desk is nearby, take shelter underneath if possibleIf no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows)Stay on your knees or bent over to protect vital organsHOLD ON UNTIL THE SHAKING STOPSIf you are under a table or desk, hold on with one hand until the shaking stops — and be ready to move with it if it movesIf you do not have shelter, hold on to your head and neck with both arms and handsDURING A QUAKE, DO NOT… DO NOT go outside if IndoorsMove as little as possible – most injuries occur because of people moving around, falling and suffering sprains, fractures or head injuriesDO NOT stand in a doorwayDoorways are no stronger or safer than any other part of the houseDoorways do not protect yo u from the most likely source of injury − falling or flying objectsDO NOT be surprised if sprinkler systems or fire alarms activateDO NOT use the elevatorsIF INSIDE OR INDOORS DURING A QUAKE DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON!Stay inside until the shaking stops and you’re sure it’s safe to exitStay away from windows, exterior walls, hanging objects, tall furniture, televisions, cabinets and glassYou are safest under a table or deskIf there is no shelter, move against an inside wallSCENARIOSNOTESIN A STORE• For extra protection, get next to a shopping cart, beneath clothing racks or onto the bottom of a large shelf to provide extra protection from falling objectsIN A HIGH RISE BUILDING Move away from windows and outside walls Stay in the building If you are trapped, stay calm and try to tap hard on metal parts of the structure to get someone’s attentionIF OUTSIDE DURING A QUAKE Drop to the groundGet into the open – crawl to open space if you can safely do so (stay there until the shaking stops) Stay away from building exteriors, power lines, chimneys, streetlights, signs, vehicles, trees and other hazardsStay outsideIf you are in a mountainous area, watch out for falling rock, landslides, trees and other debris that could be loosened by quakesIF AT HOME DURING A QUAKE SCENARIOSNOTESIN THE LIVING ROOM DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON! Be extra careful about being trapped under tall furniture that toppled over or lighting fixturesIN BED Stay in bed Cover your head and neck with a pillow, keeping arms as close to your head as possible until the shaking stops Lie face down face down to protect vital organs Have a flashlight near your bed because power may be outIN THE BATHROOM Cover your head to protect yourself from any shattered glass from mirrors or light bulbs Quickly get out of the bathroom and move to a safe placeIF IN A VEHICLE DURING A QUAKE Avoid overpassesCarefully pull over and move your car to the shoulder or curb (away from utility poles, overhead wires and overpasse s)Stop the car and set the parking breakStay inside the car until the shaking stopsWatch out for powerlines or objects that can fall Have an emergency kit in your car along with sturdy shoes in the event you may have to walkIF IN A WHEELCHAIR OR SEATED DURING A QUAKE LOCK, COVER AND HOLD ON Make sure your wheels are lockedRemain seated until the shaking stops or carefully get as low as possibleIf you are seated and unable to drop to the floor, bend forward, cover your head with your arms, book or pillowThen , hold on until the shaking stopsIF ON BART (OR SUBWAY) DURING A QUAKE Sit down if possible or grab a handhold to avoid injuryBack away from the edge of the trackway (if at the station)Emergency response personnel will coordinate evacuation if necessaryIF IN A STADIUM OR THEATER DURING A QUAKE Drop to the ground in front of your seat or lean over as much as possibleCover your head with your arms as much as possible and hold onto your neck with both handsDo not leave until the shaking is overWalk out slowly, watching for anything that could fallIF NEAR THE SHORELINE DURING A QUAKE A tsunami may arrive within minutesAs soon as the shaking reduces enough that you are able to stand, walk quickly to higher ground or inland.

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