Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Minister Responsible for Emergency Management BC, has issued the following statement on the 2017 Great British Columbia ShakeOut:

“Earthquakes are a fact of life in British Columbia. While many of them are small, the risk of a big one hitting is real. That’s why we participate in ShakeOutBC, to teach people how to survive a big earthquake.

“At 10:19 a.m. on the third Thursday of every October, we ask people in schools, workplaces and homes throughout the province practise how to ‘Drop, Cover and Hold On’ during  the Great British Columbia ShakeOut.

“Earthquakes happen quickly. ShakeOutBC is a way to make sure that when one does strike, people know what to do without hesitation.

“Drop onto your hands and knees. Cover your head and neck with one arm and hand. Crawl underneath a sturdy desk or table for shelter, and hold on until the shaking stops.

“ShakeOutBC is a great opportunity to remind people of how important it is to have an earthquake preparedness kit that includes enough food and water for your family for 72 hours.

“Other good items to put in your emergency kit include first-aid kits, flashlights, extra batteries, radios, whistles and dust masks.

“We cannot know when the next big earthquake will strike, but we can take action to make our communities and families safer when it does happen.

“Join hundreds of thousands of other British Columbians in practising how to survive an earthquake by signing up online: www.shakeoutbc.ca

“Together, we can build a British Columbia that is better prepared for earthquakes.”