It’s important to have already rehearsed what you would do if an earthquake struck RIGHT NOW.
In every room of your house and wherever you may find yourself in public, take a few seconds to look around and determine the best way to protect yourself if the building started shaking. Generally, that means drop, cover and hold on right where you are. It can be very dangerous to move to another location during the shaking.
Drop, cover, and hold on. Take cover under a sturdy table or desk. If a table isn’t available, drop to the floor against an interior wall away from windows or objects that could fall, and protect your head. Do not run out of the building!
Generally, stay in bed, roll onto your stomach and protect your head with the pillow. Hold on to the bed.
Get to a safe position in the room and lock the wheels. Cover your head and neck with your arms. If unable to move quickly, stay where you are and protect your head.
Move away from buildings to a clear area if you can safely do so. Avoid power lines, trees, signs, vehicles or anything that could fall onto or move into you.
Pull to the side of the road safely, turn off the car and set the parking brake. Avoid stopping under overpasses, bridges, or other falling hazards. Stay in the vehicle until the shaking stops. If power lines come down on or near your vehicle, stay inside until a professional first responder says it’s safe to move.
Every so often, an email chain letter pops up advocating the "Triangle of Life" as an earthquake response strategy. The concept does not apply for most buildings in California.
"DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON" IS THE BEST WAY TO LOWER YOUR RISK OF BEING KILLED OR INJURED DURING AN EARTHQUAKE.
