VICTORIA - At 10:20 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, thousands of British Columbians will "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" in the Great British Columbia ShakeOut, the largest earthquake drill in Canadian history.

During the Great British Columbia ShakeOut, people throughout B.C. will join California, Nevada, Utah and Guam in a mass earthquake drill. B.C. is located in a seismically active zone and the drill is an important reminder to be prepared for major earthquakes in BC. Although most of those earthquakes are too small to be felt, in the highest risk areas of BC, a damaging earthquake is estimated to have a 30 per cent chance of occurring in the next fifty years.

While no one can stop a large-scale earthquake from occurring, we can all take steps to be prepared and prevent injury. For example, de-clutter your shelves and secure top-heavy furniture with straps to avoid injury from falling or flying objects. Put latches on cupboards to keep objects inside.

You should also create an earthquake preparedness kit to ensure your family has emergency supplies for a minimum of 72 hours. And, always use the "Drop, Cover and Hold On" technique during an earthquake.

Quick Facts:

• DROP down onto your hands and knees (before the earthquake knocks you down). This position protects you from falling but allows you to still move if necessary. If you are in a wheelchair, move to an inner wall if it's safe to do so, lock the brakes and cover your head.

• COVER your head and neck (and your entire body if possible) under a sturdy table or desk. If there is no shelter nearby, only then should you get down near an interior wall (or next to low-lying furniture that will not fall on you), and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.

• HOLD ON to your shelter (or to your head and neck) until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if the shaking shifts it around.

Learn More:

Minister Shirley Bond on the Great British Columbia ShakeOut: (audio) http://snd.sc/p0Sby9

To learn more about the Great British Columbia ShakeOut, visit: http://www.shakeoutbc.ca/

Follow the Great British Columbia ShakeOut on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/ShakeOutBC

Follow the Great British Columbia ShakeOut on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ShakeOutBC

Watch Emergency Management BC's Great British Columbia ShakeOut video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ProvinceofBC#grid/user/903427A3C527E660

Get information about the "Drop, Cover and Hold On" technique for people with disabilities: http://www.shakeoutbc.ca/downloads/ShakeOutDisabilities2011_6.pdf

Contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
250 356 6961