Statement from Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn on the ShakeOut earthquake drill

Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn has issued the following statement:  

“Yesterday, at 10:17 am, Yukoners joined millions worldwide in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill. This important event teaches participants how to stay safe during an earthquake by practising, ‘Drop, Cover and Hold’.

“Earthquakes can happen at any time, and most of the land in our territory is in a medium to high-risk zone for earthquakes. That’s why this drill is crucial for helping reduce the risk of injury.

“Thousands of Yukoners signed up to practise and learned the following steps:

• DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees to protect yourself from being knocked down.
• COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath for shelter. If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall.
• HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If you’re under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts. If you have no shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.
• Or, ‘Adapt to Your Situation’ if needed: If you are in a recliner or bed: Cover your head and neck with your arms or a pillow until the shaking stops.
• If you use a cane: Drop, Cover, and Hold On or sit on a chair, bed, etc. and cover your head and neck with both hands. Keep your cane near you so it can be used when the shaking stops.
• If you use a walker or a wheelchair, adapt this drill:
  • LOCK your wheels. Sitting on your walker or wheelchair, carefully bend over as low as possible.
  • COVER your head and neck with your arms, a book, or a pillow.
  • Then HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

“Having an emergency kit ready will also help you be self-sufficient after an earthquake, especially if power is out or services are disrupted. Emergency preparedness is a joint effort and starts with every individual long before an emergency occurs. Visit PreparedYukon.ca for more information on how to prepare your emergency kit and to learn more about emergency preparedness.

“I encourage all Yukoners to take the time to learn more about earthquake safety and take simple steps around your home to protect yourself and your family.”