ShakeOut, a day of earthquake preparedness education, is held every year on the third Thursday in October. While the pandemic has changed the way Sunnylands interacts with visitors, we are still dedicated to sharing earthquake preparedness information with the public. With these resources, you can hold your ShakeOut drill when and where you want.

Sunnylands Shakeout Resources

Recursos de Sunnylands para Shakeout

Videos to help you prepare

Sunnylands Shakeout Resources

What are the 7 steps to earthquake safety?

To learn each step, view this webinar series presented by the Earthquake Country Alliance.

Want to help your kids learn more about preparedness?

• Click here to play the online Build-a-Kit Game.
• Visit the Rocket Rules website for videos about all kinds of preparedness topics, including earthquake safety.

Pet Preparedness: Pets are part of our families, so make sure to prepare them for an emergency too! You can use the pet emergency checklist featured here.

If you have difficulty getting onto the ground, or cannot get back up again without help, follow these recommendations.

If you or someone you know has a mobility disability, follow these recommendations.

Myth or Fact?

1. Is a doorway the safest place during an earthquake? Myth! This common myth dates back to the 19th century when many homes were built with adobe. In modern homes, doorways are no stronger than other parts of the house, and standing under one exposes you to falling objects. If the doorway has a door, the swinging door can injure you, too. Falling or flying objects present the biggest danger during an earthquake, so the safest place to be inside a home is under a sturdy desk or table.
2. Building codes will ensure that our buildings are earthquake proof. Myth! The intent of modern building codes is to protect the occupants of the building, not the building itself. Codes help make buildings more earthquake-resistant, not earthquake-proof. Buildings can still suffer considerable damage, preventing people from returning to them after an earthquake. There are also many buildings built under older codes and may need retrofitting, which is up to a building’s owner. This is why it’s essential to have an emergency plan in case it is not possible to stay in your home after an earthquake.

Additional Resources:

• Dennis Mileti Home Preparedness video.
• CERT (Community Emergency Response Team). These groups of community volunteers organize and educate their neighbors to make sure everyone is prepared for an emergency. Find your local CERT organization here.
• Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country (PDF) (en español)
• Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety (PDF) (en español)
• Staying Safe Where the Earth Shakes (PDF)