Emergencies happen. You need a plan…
Drop Cover and Hold On … Earthquakes
Conquering the instinct to run
During earthquakes, many people’s fight/flight instinct urges them to run — even when they know they should “Drop, Cover and Hold on.” Studies show that people tend to be hurt by falling objects, not collapsing structures. If you are on your feet trying to move in an earthquake, you are in danger of being thrown to the ground and/or injured from toppling book cases, breaking windows, flying dishes, falling TVs, collapsing fireplaces or shifting furniture.
Drop, Cover and Hold On — what does it mean?
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 nearby shelter).
COVER – Your head and neck with one arm and hand. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. (If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall away from windows. Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs).
HOLD ON – Until shaking stops. (Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts. No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.) Drop, cover, hold on is the national standard for earthquake safety in our country.
Visit http://dropcoverholdon.org/ to find advice for persons with access or functional needs.
For more information see pages 17-20 at https://mil.wa.gov/asset/5f171cc0a935f
