Earthquake

• Make and practice a family emergency plan.
• Ensure each family member and pet has an emergency kit.
• Train members of your family to use fire extinguishers and ensure everyone knows where to locate utility shutoffs.
• Sign up now for a first-aid course, including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Make an appointment now with your insurance broker to talk about your earthquake insurance. Check your coverage... it will affect your loss and financial ability to recover after an earthquake.
• Talk to your children about what to do if they're at home, at school, if the earthquake separates your family. Become familiar with the school's earthquake plan.
• Visit the Government of Canada's Earthquakes - Get Prepared web page for specific actions to prepare your home.

Drop, Cover, and Hold on!

• If you’re inside your home, stay there. Leave the kitchen. Safer places are in hallways, in corners and in archways. Take cover under a heavy table, desk or any solid furniture that you can get under and hold on to.
• If you're in bed, stay there and protect your head and face with a pillow.
• If you're in a wheelchair, lock your wheels and remain seated until the shaking stops.
• Protect your head and face. Doors may slam on your fingers if you're in a doorway. Avoid areas near windows.
• If you're in a yard outside your home, stay there and get clear of buildings and wires that could fall on you.
• Don't go outside where you may be hit by falling debris - sidewalks next to tall buildings are particularly dangerous.
• Avoid elevators. If you're in an elevator when an earthquake happens, hit all floor buttons and get out when you can. High rise residents will hear fire alarms go off and electricity may fail.
• If you're in a vehicle, pull over to the side (leave the road clear), away from bridges, overpasses and buildings. Stay in your vehicle.
• If you're in a crowded public place, take cover and watch that you don't get trampled. In shopping centres, take cover in the nearest store and keep away from windows, skylights and display shelves of heavy objects.
• Remain in a protected place until the shaking stops. Anticipate aftershocks - they may occur soon after the first quake.
• Try to remain calm and help others.

• Stay in your safe location and count to 60 to give things time to settle.
• Before you move, check your immediate area for hazards: broken glass, spilled chemicals or items that have shifted and may easily fall in an aftershock.
• Check yourself and others nearby for injuries. Administer first aid quickly and carefully.
• If you are told to evacuate by authorities, leave and take your grab & go bag with you.
• Check utilities but do not shut them off unless damaged.
• Leaking gas will smell. Leave immediately, don’t light matches, turn on and/or off light switches, or use any electronic appliance or engine until you are sure it is safe to do so.
• Wear sturdy shoes, gloves and protective clothing if there is debris, particularly broken glass.
• Check on your neighbours after looking after your own family. The first help after an earthquake usually comes from family and neighbours.
• Place a “HELP” sign in windows if you need extra assistance, or the “OK” sign if you do not.
• Confine and comfort frightened pets.
• Do not flush toilets if you suspect sewer pipes or water lines have been broken.
• Secure your home against intruders. Lock doors and close windows.
• Listen to your radio (or car radio) for emergency instructions. Monitor trusted local social media feeds, particularly government and other authorities.
• Avoid beaches, marinas and low-lying areas as a precaution against large waves, including tsunamis.