If an earthquake hits while you are inside of a building, follow these guidelines. Remember, these are guidelines, and only you can assess the situation to tell if these guidelines should be used, or if another course of action should be taken.

• DROP, COVER, HOLD ON
  
  • Drop to the ground
    
  • Take cover by hiding under sturdy furniture like a heavy table
    
  • Hold on until the shaking stops.
    
• If no sturdy furniture is available, drop to the ground, cover your face and head with your arms, and crouch in an inside corner of the room you are in.
  
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors, and anything that could fall such as lighting fixtures, books, or other furniture.
  
• If there is a doorframe near you and no other safe furniture to hide under, the doorframe will provide you with more safety. Drop, cover, and hold on under the doorframe.
  
• When the shaking stops, count to 60 slowly, as there could be aftershocks which could be just as intense as the original earthquake.
  
• Stay inside until you are positive the earthquake has ended. Once you conclude that it is done, try to leave the building and go outside. Remember to do this carefully as research shows that most injuries occur when people try to move to a different location in the building or try to leave.
  
• Do not use the elevator in any circumstance. Use the stairs.
  
• Be aware that the electricity may go out, and that the sprinkler systems and fire alarms might turn on.