NBC News recently highlighted an eye-opening experience as one of their reporters interacted with the earthquake simulator stationed in Los Angeles’s Chinatown. This initiative comes ahead of California’s 2024 “Great ShakeOut,” scheduled for October 17 at 10:17 AM, during which residents are reminded to adhere to the essential safety mantra: “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” This guidance is crucial for avoiding panic and ensuring personal safety during an unexpected earthquake.
According to NBC’s report, over 10.4 million Californians have registered to participate in this collective drill. The goal is to familiarize themselves once again with the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” techniques, providing a simple and swift way to minimize the risk of injury, or even worse.
Experts have offered tailored advice for seniors. Those who use canes and cannot adequately seek shelter under sturdy furniture should position themselves beside a chair, bed, or stable piece of furniture. They should crouch as low as possible while protecting their head and neck with their hands.
For wheelchair users, the recommendation is to find a safe spot to shelter and lock the wheels. Those who use walkers should crouch down, cover themselves, and securely hold onto something stable.
Additionally, the Earthquake Country Alliance has issued a warning about three critical things to avoid during an earthquake:
1. **Don’t stand in a doorway:** Modern building frameworks are not more secure than other areas, and standing in a doorway does not guarantee protection from falling debris or heavy objects.
2. **Don’t rush outside:** Fleeing outdoors during ground shaking can be even more dangerous, as items may fall from above.
3. **Don’t rely on the “Triangle of Life” theory:** This concept, promoted by some private entities, has faced scrutiny and skepticism from numerous experts and should not be followed. Instead, individuals should seek shelter under sturdy furniture rather than positioning themselves alongside walls.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reports that Southern California experiences approximately 10,000 earthquakes of varying magnitudes each year. In a move to enhance safety, the City of Los Angeles passed Ordinance 183893 in 2015, mandating improved seismic retrofitting of buildings to reduce potential injuries and fatalities among residents.
