Great ShakeOut Happening October 15

October is the time of the Great ShakeOut. For this year’s event taking place October 15, enhance your preparedness and take proactive actions to improve your household.

Step 1: Stay Informed with Earthquake Alert Tools
The community is encouraged to sign up for and share trusted warning systems: California uses the Earthquake Early Warning System, to notify the public seconds to tens of seconds before the shaking starts, allowing users the opportunity to take life-saving actions.

• MyShake App – A free app (Google Play and Apple App Store) that sends alerts based on your “Home Base” location, even without active location services.
• Android Earthquake Alerts – Android phones with updated operating systems are automatically subscribed to Android Earthquake Alerts, which uses the same technology as the MyShake App.
• iPhone Government Alerts – Enable Emergency Alerts in Settings → Notifications to receive earthquake warnings.
• ReadySBC Alerts – Local notifications issued when additional hazards or protective actions may follow an earthquake. Sign up at ReadySBC.org.

Step 2: Secure your Space
Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items. Earthquake shaking can move almost anything, even large or heavy items. According to a study from the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA), 55% of the injuries during an earthquake were caused by falling furniture or objects. Try securing at least one item every weekend until you get everything done.

• Move heavy or large items to the floor or low shelves.
• Move things that can fall on you away from where you spend a lot of time.
• Move heavy or unstable objects away from doors and escape routes.
• Secure a water heater to wall studs with two metal straps.
• Use flexible connections where gas lines meet appliances (such as water heaters, ovens, and clothes dryers).
• Secure overhead light fixtures.
• Secure free-standing wood stoves or fireplace inserts.

Step 3: Review your plan
Planning for an earthquake or other emergency is not much different from planning for an event or vacation. Make sure that your emergency plan includes evacuation and reunion plans; your out-of-state contact person’s name and number; the location of your emergency supplies and other pertinent information.

Step 4: Organize your Supplies
Organize emergency supplies in convenient locations. Supplies give you peace of mind and support when resources may not be available. Build an emergency kit with essentials like food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, and first aid supplies.

Step 5: Minimize financial hardship
Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property, and considering insurance coverage. Earthquakes may last only seconds but they can shake up our lives for weeks and months to come. You can minimize your financial hardship by organizing important documents, strengthening your property (home or other building) and considering earthquake insurance. Most houses, apartment buildings, or commercial buildings are not as safe as they could be, especially if they are more than 30 years old. While building codes have been improved over time, few building codes require issues with older buildings to be fixed. Still, there are things that you can do to improve the structural integrity of your home or other building.

Consider Earthquake insurance. Many companies issue California Earthquake Authority (CEA) insurance policies, which can help you replace your belongings, rebuild your home, or live elsewhere temporarily if your home is damaged by an earthquake. Learn more about CEA policies or contact your insurance company.