Understanding Earthquakes: Safety Tips, Preparedness, and What to Do
Learn what earthquakes are, how to prepare, and what to do before, during, and after. Stay informed and safe with this complete earthquake safety...
Learn how the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill helps you stay safe. Find out when to join, how to prepare, and why participation matters.
Earthquakes are natural phenomena that can strike without warning, causing significant damage and endangering lives. The key to surviving an earthquake lies in preparation. This is where the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill comes in. This annual event is designed to help individuals, families, organizations, and communities practice earthquake safety and ensure they know what to do when the ground starts shaking. This blog will tell you when the next earthquake drill will be held, share some statistics on participation, and provide crucial information on what to do during an earthquake, including a link to comprehensive guidelines on earthquake safety.
The Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is a global initiative. It aims to raise awareness about earthquake preparedness and encourage people to practice what to do during an earthquake. The drill is organized by various earthquake and disaster preparedness organizations and is held annually on the third Tuesday of October. Whether at home, work, school, or anywhere else, this is your chance to practice earthquake safety and ensure you are prepared.
The Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is a global event that engages millions of people every year in practicing earthquake safety. This massive turnout reflects a growing awareness of the importance of being prepared for seismic events.
In 2024, over 56.6 million people worldwide participated in the earthquake drill, including:
As of April 21, 2025, more than 1.8 million people have already registered for the upcoming October ShakeOut Earthquake Drill, with over 56,000 registered participants in British Columbia alone.
These numbers show just how widespread the commitment to earthquake preparedness has become. Earthquake drills like the Great ShakeOut are not just for people living near known fault lines they’re for everyone, everywhere. Because earthquakes can strike without warning, being ready is essential no matter where you live.
Participating in an earthquake drill like the Great ShakeOut is more than just a symbolic gesture, it could save your life. Earthquakes can happen at any time and in any place. The moments immediately after the shaking begins are critical, and knowing exactly what to do can mean the difference between safety and serious injury.
The ShakeOut drill teaches three simple, proven steps that can protect you during an earthquake:
These actions are recommended by emergency management experts worldwide. Practicing them regularly ensures that your response becomes automatic in a real emergency. But earthquake preparedness goes beyond a single drill. It’s about:
After a major earthquake, emergency services may be delayed or overwhelmed. That’s why preparing in advance is so important. By participating in the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill, you’re helping to build a culture of preparedness just for yourself, but for your family, workplace, and community.
At the heart of the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill are three simple but life-saving actions: Drop, Cover, and Hold On. These steps help protect you from the most common causes of earthquake injuries—falling objects, flying debris, and structural hazards. Whether you're at home, school, or work, practicing these actions during an earthquake drill helps you build muscle memory that can make all the difference in a real emergency.
1. DROP – Get Down Immediately
As soon as the shaking starts, DROP to the ground. This helps you maintain stability and prevents you from being thrown off your feet. Dropping reduces your risk of falling and getting injured.
2. COVER – Protect Your Head and Neck
While on the ground, COVER your head and neck to shield yourself from falling debris. If possible, get under a sturdy piece of furniture like a table or desk. If no shelter is nearby, crouch next to an interior wall, away from windows, and use your arms to shield your head and neck.
3. HOLD ON – Stay Put Until the Shaking Stops
HOLD ON to your shelter (e.g., table or desk) and stay in position until the shaking ends. If you're not under a shelter, hold your head and neck firmly with both hands and remain in place. Earthquakes can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, so it’s crucial to stay protected the entire time.
During an earthquake drill, it’s important to adapt your actions based on where you are. While Drop, Cover, and Hold On is the universal guideline, your surroundings may call for slightly different responses:
Practicing these situational responses during an earthquake drill helps ensure that no matter where you are when the ground shakes, you’ll know exactly what to do.
Want to take your Earthquake Preparedness further? Check out this complete earthquake safety guide: Understanding Earthquakes: Safety Tips, Preparedness, and What to Do
Earthquake drills are not just about individual safety. These drills play a vital role in community preparedness as well. When entire communities participate in the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill, they create a culture of preparedness that can save lives and reduce injuries when an earthquake does occur.
Schools, businesses, and organizations can use the earthquake drill as an opportunity to review and improve their emergency plans, conduct evacuation drills, and ensure that everyone knows what to do when the ground starts shaking. By practicing together, communities can identify potential weaknesses in their preparedness plans and take steps to address them before an earthquake strikes.
Getting involved in the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is easy and accessible to everyone. Whether you’re participating as an individual, with your family, or as part of an organization, there are many ways to participate in the drill and contribute to earthquake preparedness.
The first step to participating in the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is to sign up for the drill. By registering, you join millions of others who are committed to earthquake safety and preparedness. Registration is simple and can be done online through the Great ShakeOut website. Once registered, you’ll receive resources and updates to help you prepare for the drill.
One of the most effective ways to increase participation in the earthquake drill is to spread the word. Share information about the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill with your friends, family, and colleagues. Encourage them to register and participate, and explain the importance of being prepared for an earthquake. You can also use social media to promote the drill and raise awareness about earthquake safety.
In the days leading up to the earthquake drill, take the time to review your emergency plans and ensure that you have the necessary supplies and equipment. This might include:
When the day of the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill arrives, be ready to participate. Whether you’re at home, at work, or in the community, take the opportunity to practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On at the designated time. Treat the drill as if it were a real earthquake, and use it to identify any areas where you might need to improve your preparedness.
The Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill is more than just an annual event; it’s a crucial part of our collective efforts to be prepared for earthquakes. By participating in the drill, you’re taking an important step toward ensuring your safety and the safety of those around you. Earthquakes are unpredictable, but with the right preparation, we can all be ready to respond effectively when they occur.
Don’t wait until it’s too late—get involved in the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drill, practice earthquake safety, and be prepared for the next big shake.
Learn what earthquakes are, how to prepare, and what to do before, during, and after. Stay informed and safe with this complete earthquake safety...
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