Take steps to remain safe during this rainstorm - learn more here
Take steps to remain safe during this rainstorm - learn more here

The big one is coming!

Let's be ready for it

Teaching earthquake readiness in schools

Our kids can teach their families a lot about earthquakes.

Have we mentioned that we love our kids? They’re amazing. MySafe:LA teaches elementary school students about the science and the risks related to earthquakes. Why do earthquakes happen? How do you prepare before an earthquake? What do you do during an earthquake? And how do you safely recover after an earthquake? These are all good questions – and MySafe:LA’s 4th and 5th grade students take the answers home to their families.

We also like to practice. That means live emergency drills! That’s right – MySafe:LA produces realistic earthquake drills that include a school, teachers, students, and parents. We bring firefighters and other first responders together to help everyone learn what to do when the ground begins to shake – and ensure that everyone takes steps to be  safe.

earthquake triage
Firefighters and students working together

Learning what to do when an earthquake strikes

There’s a big difference between a classroom discussion about earthquakes, and a realistic drill that brings the urgency of survival related to earthquakes to life. MySafe:LA conducts drills that bring students and firefighters together to simulate what it might be like when an earthquake strikes – during school hours. 
 
The objective of this training is to demonstrate to everyone who participates how important it is to know what to do. Everyone plays a part, and in the event of a powerful earthquake, that knowledge could save a life.

We teach students what to do, and conduct live drills

We have a great time teaching elementary school students about earthquake safety. Our presentations include:
 
  • Drop, Cover, and Hold On (the best way to protect yourself)
  • Never run during an earthquake (you can fall or be hit by stuff)
  • Never stand in a doorway (old story, not true)
  • Earthquake sound waves (We talk about “P Waves”)
  • What to do if you’re not at home (at school, shopping, etc.)
 
We also produce live drills. We bring in area firefighters and simulate a collapsed building on campus. The majority of students are evacuated to the appropriate locations, per school policy, but they get to watch as firefighters “rescue” some of their classmates. It’s entertaining – and educational as well!
Earthquake-drill
When the ground starts to move beneath you

Do you know what to do?

First things first. If you feel the ground begin to shake beneath you, don’t run. DON’T RUN. It’s a natural instinct, but we need to remember that running leads to getting injured – or worse. So stay put. 
 
Don’t stand in a doorway. If the door swings during an earthquake, your fingers might not forgive you. 
 
What should you do?

FIRE following EARTHQUAKE
When the ground starts to move beneath you

Cities On Fire.

While the ground shaking beneath our feet is what immediately frightens us, it’s what happens afterwards that is often so deadly. In many cases where a major earthquake strikes, it isn’t the quake itself that is so destructive, it’s the fires that follow the shaking. 

Make a kit. It could help you survive.

Nobody like to think about disasters. It's one reason why so many people are unprepared. Totally unprepared. Making a kit can be fun and could include the entire family. Having a "disaster" kit will come in handy when the earth next starts to shake. 

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