On Oct. 16, thousands of people in B.C. will drop, cover and hold on while an earthquake drill takes place in homes, schools and offices across the province.聽
The annual earthquake drill, dubbed the Great B.C. Shake Out, teaches people to drop to the ground to avoid being knocked over in a quake, to take cover by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and to hold on to the makeshift shelter until the shaking stops in order to stay safe.
Emergency preparedness experts don鈥檛 recommend heading for a doorway, although this is a common myth, as doorways are no stronger than any other part of a modern home.
They also encourage people to ignore the 鈥渢riangle of life鈥� theory that seems to surface yearly during the earthquake drills. The myth is that when a ceiling falls it crushes the object it hits but leaves a small space beside the object where someone can hide to avoid injury.
The biggest cause of injury during an earthquake is being hit by falling objects in the home, which is why the drop, cover and聽 hold on technique is taught each year during the Great BC Shakeout.
The event takes place at 10:16 a.m., with different schools and organizations taking part in the drill.聽
For more information visit www.shakeoutbc.ca.聽
