Earthquake Safety

On August 23, 2011, the tremors of an earthquake that originated in Virginia shook Philadelphia. Many folks evacuated from their homes and offices, which is not the proper response. Remember the following safety tips the next time tremors shake the City.

If Indoors:	If Outdoors:
DROP to the ground. Take COVER under a study table or desk. HOLD ON to the leg of the table until the shaking stops.	STAY Outdoors. MOVE AWAY from buildings, streetlights and utility wires. Once in the open, STAY there until the shaking stops.
If there is no table or desk near you: COVER your face and head with your arms. CROUCH in an inside corner of the building.	If you are in a moving vehicle: STOP as quickly as safety permits. STAY in the vehicle. AVOID STOPPING near or under buildings, trees, overpasses and utility wires.
Do: STAY INSIDE until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. STAY AWAY from glass, windows, outside doors, walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture. BE AWARE that electricity may go out and sprinkler systems  or fire alarms may turn on. Warning! Do Not: EXIT a building during the shaking. USE the elevators. When Most Injuries Happen: Most injuries happen when people inside a building try to move to a different location or try to leave the building	Where are the greatest dangers? Directly outside buildings. At exits. Alongside exterior walls. Why Most Casualties Happen: Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass and falling objects. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Lessons Learned Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach Earthquake occurred when people ran outside of the buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls.

For more information, visit the Earthquake Preparedness page of the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management.