Canterbury Earthquake

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Keep safe in aftershocks

Drop, cover and hold - do not run outside When an earthquake starts, the best advice is still to 'drop, cover and hold'.

This is the drill practised by schoolchildren, and what Civil Defence agencies have consistently promoted around the country and internationally. The drill is drop, take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, and hold on, or shelter against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases etc.

"With the continuing aftershocks in the Canterbury region it is especially important the 'drop, cover and hold' advice continues to be followed," Civil Defence Controller Peter Mitchell said. "It is worrying to hear some people being interviewed by media saying their first response was to run through their building to get outside.

"By doing that, they had actually increased their risk of being injured."

Most earthquake related injuries and deaths result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects caused by the ground shaking. Immediately taking cover helps protect from falling or flying debris. Running to try to get outside usually increases the risk of being hurt.

A link to the earthquake safety fact sheet on the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency website is attached. The fact sheet is the agreed New Zealand advice about what to do during an earthquake. It is based on international best practice.

The fact sheet includes the advice, during an earthquake

• Move no more than a few steps to a safe place, drop, cover, and hold on
• Do not attempt to run outside
• If outside, move no more than a few steps to a safe place, drop, cover, and hold
• If in a lift, stop at the nearest floor and get out
• If you are driving, pull over to the side of the road
• Stay in the vehicle until the shaking stops

KEY MESSAGES:

• Water: boil water and conserve water.
• Toilets: Use toilets sparingly. If you are in an area with portaloos and chemical toilets please use them.
• Limit travel: A number of roads are affected by liquefaction, flooding, damaged retaining walls and rockfall. Please drive to the conditions.
• Rock falls: Several rock falls have occurred mainly in eastern hills of Sumner, Taylors Mistake, Redcliffs, Morgan Valley.