TAKE TIME out tomorrow to practise what to do if an earthquake strikes here.
The Great BC Shakeout takes place at 10:20 a.m. for individuals, schools and businesses to drop, cover and hold on along with the whole province.
When the ground starts to shake, the idea is to drop down onto the floor, get under a sturdy desk or table, protect your head and hold on until the shaking stops.
In your home, it’s best to do this in an inside room if you can, but if you can’t, then do it where you are.
If there’s no table or desk, cover your head and face with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building, but do not run to another room just to be under a table or desk.
In addition to practising to be safe, people need to put together an emergency kit so they can get by on their own for three days if they are cut off in an emergency.
And to have an emergency plan that every household member is familiar with so everyone knows what to do.
An emergency kit can include basic supplies such as a two litres of water for each person, non-perishable food, a flashlight, batteries, battery operated or windup radio, first aid kit, a pocket knife, any prescriptions, an extra set of keys, money and copies of important documents.
The provincial government and emergency services agencies for years have been promoting the need to be prepared in case of disasters.
Tomorrow’s exercise has the backing of the province.
For more details on the Great BC Shakeout, check out the shakeout website.