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Protecting Utah
ShakeOut, Don’t Freak Out in 2019
Mother Nature let us know in no uncertain terms this year that Utah is Earthquake Country.
With hundreds of earthquakes that have already happened, now is the time for Utahns to join the only statewide earthquake drill in Utah since 2012.
The Great Utah ShakeOut is a day of special events for families, workplaces, church groups, schools and others to practice what to do should an earthquake occur.
How to participate
- Register for the Great Utah Shakeout at ShakeOut.org/Utah.
- At 10:15 a.m. on April 18, no matter where you are, drop, cover and hold on.
- Learn what other actions you can take with one of these great guides, which make planning your drill easy.
- Download Audio and Video “Drill Broadcast” recordings that have been created in English and Spanish to provide instructions during your drill (Video versions have text captions).
- Want preparedness updates delivered directly to your phone? Text the words UtahQuake to 43362. (You can even text questions to that number.)
Personal preparedness tips
If it has been a while since you have checked your flashlight batteries or other emergency supplies, here are some things you can do with your family before April 18, 2019:
- Talk to other people about what they have done, and encourage them to join you in getting more prepared. Emergency preparedness information is always available at BeReadyUtah.gov.
- Do a “hazard hunt” for items that might fall in your home during earthquakes and secure them.
- Create a personal or family disaster-preparedness plan.
- Plan for your family’s specific needs (seniors, disabled,children, pets)
- Teach all household members how to use a fire extinguisher.
- Create wallet cards for each family member with essential contact information.
- Enroll in a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)training to learn more about how to take care of yourself and your family when you are “on your own” after a disaster.
- Invite everyone who matters to you to register for the ShakeOut. With your help this can become the largest earthquake drill in U.S. history!
Joe Dougherty is the public information officer for our Division of Emergency Management. jdougherty@utah.gov
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