The annual ShakeOut BC will be happening in Nanaimo and across the province on October 15. On October 15 at 10:15 am residents, businesses, and schools are asked to practice safety protocols for a potential earthquake by finding a proper space to ‘drop, cover, and hold on.’
During the drill, people are asked to follow three main steps:
- Drop to the ground
- Take cover by getting under a sturdy desk or table or dropping to the ground in a corner of the building, and
- Hold on to a sturdy fixture until the ground stops shaking
While taking cover, it is important that the person covers their head and neck with their hands and arms.
St. John Ambulance reminds residents to have a ‘grab and go’ bag in case of any natural disasters such as an earthquake, fire, or flood. While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, St. John Ambulance says that it is important to include additional items to your survival kit. These items include masks, hand sanitizer and soap, disinfectants, toilet paper, and a solar/portal cellphone charger.
They say that a survival kit should last a minimum of 72 hours after the disaster, but should ideally last up to a week.
The Great British Columbia ShakeOut is the provincial take on the international ShakeOut Day that takes place on the third Thursday of every October. The day is meant to bring awareness to earthquake safety.
The ShakeOut BC drill will be aired on the local radio stations 102.3 the Wave and 106.9 the Wolf.
