A TOP 10 list that can save lives! I hope that you decided to read past the title because you are a fan of David Letterman’s famous TOP 10 lists. All kidding aside, I really am hoping that I piqued your interest because you are curious about the last part of the title – “save lives”
It is no secret that much of what as I do in media is examine topics related to communication, education, and safety. I often have penned blogs spotlighting disaster preparedness and response, often citing personal experiences. In fact, earlier this week I re-posted an article giving general resources to help families in the event of a disaster. I had written that article shortly after visiting many areas in Oklahoma – from cities to rural areas – that were devastated following a series of tornadoes in 2013.
Read My tour of Moore, Oklahoma
In addition, I have been involved with several specific media campaigns that focus on helping families and schools to be prepared for disasters, including earthquakes. Currently, I am a member of a social media team that supports ShakeOut – the world’s largest earthquake drill. ShakeOut is much more than a practice drill as it entails an interactive educational component that is dedicated to increasing awareness about how to prepare for earthquakes. ShakeOut spotlights teaching how people should DROP – COVER and HOLD ON when an earthquake happens. At first, this three-step protocol surprised me! I thought if an earthquake happened I should run to a doorway and stand. I also recalled believing that it would be best to run outside away from buildings. (I am fairly certain I am not alone in assuming this was the correct procedure and am glad that I have been corrected in my thinking!) But, thanks to ShakeOut and their considerable due diligence of garnering information from rescue teams, there is much available information and instruction on the best practices for earthquake safety.
Why shouldn’t we run to door jams or outside during an earthquake?
Official rescue teams who have been dispatched to the scene of earthquakes and other disasters around the world continue to advocate use of the internationally recognized “Drop, Cover and Hold On” protocol to protect lives during earthquakes:
- DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!),
- Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and
- HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.
If there isn’t a table or desk near you, drop to the ground in an inside corner of the building and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms. Do not try to run to another room just to get under a table.
Read more about DROP – COVER and HOLD ON!, including what to do if you are not able to take cover, are in a wheelchair or other special circumstances. (For me, it was interesting to learn what to do if in a stadium during a sporting event!)
Recommended Earthquake Actions
Special Note: Mark your calendars for the 2015 ShakeOut drill: October 15th at 10:15 a.m.
I have spent considerable time perusing the ShakeOut site and I came across some great features that I thought would be of interest to families, homeschooler and educators. Here is my list of the ShakeOut “Top 10”!
#10- REGISTER your family, business, school, organization or individuals for the ShakeOut drill via this LINK. When you are all finished with the very fast registration process let others know by clicking the social media platform share buttons.
Note: Fans of social media don’t miss the weekly Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety chats by following on Twitter @ShakeOut
#9- Play BEAT THE QUAKE – a game that uses loads of action and interesting questions to spark the interest of any child or adults who are kids at heart.
#8- What’s in your disaster kit?
Do you have a disaster preparedness kit? Does it include all the essentials that are recommended by disaster preparedness specialists, such as the Red Cross and Earthquake Country Alliance.
List of supplies for your earthquake disaster kit.
Don’t forget to add the whistle!
#7. Let others know you are safe!
An app made available by the Red Cross allows you to communicate to loved ones that you are safe or in need of assistance during the “after” stage of an earthquake. (Note: Similar apps also are available for other disasters such as Hurricane or Tornados) Click here for information about the Red Cross App. (The image below also will take you to the Safe and Well Website.)
#6. Materials for Schools/ Educators . Teachers don’t miss this opportunity for a “learning moment” contrasting the reality of actual earthquakes with the fiction presented in the 2015 Summer movie San Andreas. While entertaining, San Andreas was largely a fictionalized version of the “real deal”. To highlight the salient facts, the Earthquake Country Alliance has made available this movie parody and supplemental materials that clearly explain the fact vs. fiction about earthquakes in a child – friendly and entertaining manner! Both the image and this link will take you to the movie!
#5. Materials to help businesses owners prepare and learn what to do if an earthquake happens (including in the recovery phase). Note: Don’t miss the Seven Steps to an Earthquake Resilient Business
#4. Key Earthquake Safety Tips for People with Disabilities and Other Access or Functional Needs (Regular readers of this blog will know that this is a subject near and dear to my heart) Read these materials and much more here
Previous blog: Disaster Safety Tips for Families with Special Needs
#3. In fact, there are so many other resources that I would need to make a Top 20 list! Note: the resources are downloadable and are visually very attractive for posting. Consider laminating if you work or live with young children.
#2. Don’t speak English? No worries. The ShakeOut site is also in Spanish.
Drum Roll…
#1: Share YOUR ShakeOut with a photo or story!
Here is link to upload your story or picture! How fun is this feature?!
But wait there is a bonus to the Top 10 list!
Want to follow some fun social media posts? Simply track the hashtags #ShakeOut and #DropCoverHoldOn. You never know which friends of Where Learning Meets Laughter will be posting! Feel free to tag me in your post as @LouiseASL (Twitter) or @LouiseMasinSattler (Instagram).
AND…I just uploaded the FAMILY and SCHOOL DISASTER RESOURCE PAGE on this blog. Please add to the comment section any additional resources you feel would be helpful within our communities to keep all safe!
In closing, it is now time for popcorn as here is a great video clip to watch and share with others!
