The Civil Defense provided detailed instructions on what to do should you find yourself caught in an earthquake.
Drop, Cover and Hold is the right action to take during an earthquake.
It stops you from being knocked over, makes you a smaller target for falling and flying objects, and protects your head, neck, and vital organs.
If you feel an earthquake:
- DROP down on your hands and knees. This protects you from falling over but lets you move if you need to.
- COVER your head and your neck (or your entire body if possible) under a sturdy table or desk (if it is within a few steps of you). If there is no shelter nearby, cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.
- HOLD on to your shelter (or your position to protect your head and neck) until the shaking stops. If the shaking shifts your shelter around, move with it.
Keep yourself safe
During an earthquake, the biggest hazard is earthquake shaking, as it can lead to collapsing walls and roofs, and falling glass and objects. Many injuries are caused by people moving during or immediately after the shaking.
In a major earthquake, masonry and glass falls off buildings and into the streets. If you are inside, Drop, Cover and Hold – do not run outside or you risk getting hit by falling bricks or concrete and glass. You should only leave if the building is showing obvious signs of distress, or if you are in a tsunami evacuation zone.
Do not try to stand in a doorway – in modern homes, doorways are no stronger than any other part of the structure and usually have doors that can swing and injure you.
Even after the earthquake shaking stops, move with care as debris can cause further injuries.
If you are outside, move away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines, then Drop, Cover and Hold. Stay there until the shaking stops.
If you are in bed
If you are in bed when the shaking starts, Stay, Cover, Hold: Stay in bed. Cover yourself by pulling the sheets and blankets over you. Hold your pillow over you to protect your head and neck.
You are less likely to be injured if you stay in bed.
If you are inside a building
If you are inside a building, Drop, Cover and Hold. Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit. Do not run outside after an earthquake.
If you are at work
After the shaking stops, do a head count and work out if anyone’s unaccounted for. Check the stairs and bathrooms. If you can, gather in one place.
If you are outside
If you are outside, find a clear area away from buildings, trees, streetlights, power lines, unstable slopes, and cliffs: these may fall and cause injuries during an earthquake.
Drop and Cover: Drop down on your hands and knees and cover your head and neck with your arms. Stay where you are until the shaking stops.
People with a physical disability or mobility impairment
In a major earthquake, the ground shaking will make it difficult or impossible for you to move any distance.
If possible Drop, Cover, and Hold.
If you cannot safely get under a table, move near an inside wall of the building away from windows and tall items that can fall on you.
If you have difficulty getting onto the ground, or cannot get back up again without the help of a caregiver, then follow these recommendations:
If you are in a recliner or bed, Stay, Cover, Hold: Stay in bed. Cover yourself by pulling the sheets and blankets over you. Hold your pillow over you to protect your head and neck.
If you are using a cane, Drop, Cover and Hold or sit on a chair or bed and cover your head and neck with both hands. Keep your cane near you so it can be used when the shaking stops.
If you are using a walker, Lock, Cover, and Hold. Lock your wheels (if applicable). Carefully get as low as possible, bend over, and Cover your head and neck as best you can. Hold on until the shaking stops.
If you are using a wheelchair, Lock, Cover, and Hold. Lock your wheels. Bend over and Cover your head and neck as best you can. Hold on until the shaking stops.
If you are sitting in a chair, Stay, Cover, and Hold. Bend over and Cover your head and neck as best you can. Hold on until the shaking stops.
If you are driving, Pull Over and Wait.
Pullover: to a clear location, away from trees, power lines, poles, street signs, overpasses, cliffs, and other overhead items, that may fall during earthquakes.
Wait: stop and keep your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops.
Once the shaking has stopped, proceed with caution. Avoid bridges, tunnels, cliff roads, ramps – any features that might have been damaged by the earthquake.
There may be more emergency vehicles on the road than normal. Make sure you allow them past as soon as it is safe to do so.
Listen to your car radio for advice from emergency services and your local Civil Defence Emergency Management Group.
If you’re near a baby or a young child
Pick them up and hold them against your chest as you Drop, Cover and Hold.
If you can’t get under a table or piece of furniture, drop to the ground and protect the child with your body while doing your best to cover your own head and neck.
If you’re breastfeeding, stay seated or in bed, shielding your bodies with blankets or pillows.
If you’re in a separate room from a baby or young child
Your instinct will be to run to them – don’t. If you run or move during an earthquake shaking you could be seriously injured. If you’re injured, you won’t be able to help.
Immediately Drop, Cover, and Hold or Stay, Cover, and Hold if you are in bed. If possible, call out to the child and tell them to Drop, Cover and Hold or Stay, Cover, and Hold if they are in bed. Talk to them in a reassuring voice to alleviate panic and anxiety.
Stay where you are until the shaking stops. Move with care when you go to check on the child as debris can cause injuries.
Long or Strong: Get Gone
Earthquakes can generate tsunamis.
It is important to recognize the natural warning signs of a tsunami and remember if an earthquake is Long or Strong: Get Gone
As soon as the shaking stops
Check yourself for injuries and get first aid if necessary. Help others if you can.
If you are in a tsunami evacuation zone you need to move to higher ground immediately, or as far inland as you can, out of tsunami evacuation zones.
Look quickly for damage around you, particularly in buildings where furniture and fittings may have become hazardous.
Look for small fires and, if safe to do so, extinguish them.
If you can, put on protective, weather-appropriate clothing that covers your arms and legs and sturdy footwear in case you have to move through debris.
If you are in a store, unfamiliar commercial building, or on public transport, follow the instructions of those in charge.
If you are at mahi/work, gather information about your building (e.g. are the stairs to the ground level usable) and what is happening around your area and elsewhere in town. If practical, keep a register of who’s present, log when people leave, and note what they plan to do next (e.g. fetch children from daycare, walk home etc.). Arrange to travel in groups.
Do not run outside unless the building is showing obvious signs of distress, or you are in a tsunami evacuation zone. It is frightening to stay in a building, but it is much safer than immediately going outside, where masonry and glass could fall on you.
Your usual fire evacuation assembly area might not be a safe location after an earthquake if it is exposed to falling glass and masonry.
When you eventually leave, take your wallet, keys, and phone. You are more vulnerable if you leave those things behind. If you have a grab bag, take it with you.
Avoid traveling through tsunami evacuation zones to return home.
