Drop! Cover! Hold On!
These three, simple steps can help you protect yourself during an earthquake.
Earthquakes can happen in all 50 states at any time of the year. Are you prepared?
Check out your surroundings, if there was an earthquake right now where would you go?
A table, desk, counter –
Also take time to look around and see what big items may cause a problem during an earthquake. For example, that big screen television or bookcase – are they secured to the wall properly? Big items can shake and fall during an earthquake. This can cause injury or may pin you to the ground. This is particularly problematic for children.
Preparing for Earthquakes
There are many things you can do to prepare your child care program for earthquakes.
- Identify hazards that could fall or cause an injury in an earthquake
- Make sure any items that could cause injury, break, or cause a fire are secured
- Know how to turn off your utilities (electricity, gas, and water) at the source
- Prepare an emergency supply kit
- Include earthquakes in your written all-hazards emergency preparedness plan
- Practice earthquake drills
(click to open the full infographic)
Other Resources
- Earthquake Preparedness: What Every Child Care Provider Needs to Know (FEMA)
- Earthquake Resources (The National Traumatic Stress Network)
- Child Care and Pre-Schools (Shake Out)
- 10 Tips for Keeping Children Safe in an Earthquake (Save the Children)
- Earthquake Resources (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
- Ready Wrigley (CDC.gov)
- Central United States Earthquake Consortium (cusec.org)
