FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                         January 9, 2012

Contact: Tamara McBride

Ohio EMA Public Affairs (614) 799-3695

FEBRUARY IS EARTHQUAKE AWARENESS MONTH

Ohio Participates in 2^nd Annual Great Central U.S. ShakeOut

COLUMBUS, OH – The Great Central U.S. ShakeOut is a day featuring the largest earthquake drill ever, organized to inspire central U.S. residents to get ready for big earthquakes, and to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes. What we do now, before a big earthquake, will determine what our lives will be like afterwards.

The Ohio Emergency Management Agency is a registered participant in the 2012 Great Central U.S. ShakeOut, and is assisting in the promotion of earthquake safety and preparedness. The Great Central US ShakeOut will conduct its second annual regional earthquake drill February 7 at 10:15 a.m.

FEMA’s Ready.gov site suggests the following earthquake preparedness steps:

BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE

·          To begin preparing for an earthquake or any disaster, make an emergency supply kit for your home and vehicles, and make a family communications plan to know who to contact during an emergency.

·          Prepare the home by fastening shelves securely to walls; place large or heavy objects on lower shelves; brace overhead light fixtures and top-heavy objects; have repaired defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. These are potential fire risks.

·          Locate safe spots in each room of your home, workplace and/or school. A safe spot could be under a sturdy table or desk, or against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases or tall furniture that could fall.

·          Practice “ Drop, Cover and Hold On” in each safe place. If you don’t have sturdy furniture to hold on to, sit or crouch on the floor next to an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.

DURING AN EARTHQUAKE

Drop, Cover and Hold On. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place.

If Indoors

·          Stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure it is safe to exit.

·          DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. Again, if there is no sturdy furniture to hold on to, crouch on the floor in a corner or next to an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.

·          Do not use a doorway for protection. Most doorways are lightly constructed and offer no protection from earthquakes.

·          DO NOT use elevators.

If Outdoors

·          Stay outdoors in the open, until the shaking stops.

·          Move away from buildings, streetlights and utility wires.

If in a Moving Vehicle

·          Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses and utility wires.

·          Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges or ramps that may have been damaged by the earthquake.

Ohio EMA encourages individuals, businesses, organizations and schools to sign up and participate with the Great Central U.S. ShakeOut at www.shakeout.org/centralus/.

For additional information on earthquake safety, visit www.ready.gov/earthquakes.

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BE PREPARED