Thousands sign on to ShakeOut event

With a day to go, almost 23,000 Taranaki people have signed up so far for New Zealand ShakeOut, the national earthquake drill.

At 9.15am tomorrow, Thursday, October 15, hundreds of thousands of people around the country will 'Drop Cover Hold' in unison, practising the technique that saves lives when an earthquake strikes.

"We had nearly 29,000 Taranaki people taking part in the last ShakeOut in 2012, and we're aiming to better that this time," says Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management group controller, David Lean.

"It's easy to register " just go to www.shakeout.govt.nz and click on the yellow button in the banner."

'Drop Cover Hold' involves dropping immediately to the floor when an earthquake starts, protecting yourself from injury by sheltering under furniture or at least covering your head and neck with your arms, and holding on to a solid piece of furniture.

Children at Rainbow Childcare Centre in Stratford have been practicing their "turtle" drill in readiness. Four-year-old Billie Smith says she knows what to do in an earthquake.

You get down on the floor and tuck your head in, so your back is like the turtle shell which will keep you safe.
Put your hands on your head and stay still until your teacher tells you it is ok to get up.

Billie Smith

Nationally, the goal is to have 1.5 million people taking part in NZ ShakeOut, up from 1.3 million in 2012.

Registration categories include individuals, families, schools and workplaces.

David says the exercise emphasises the need for New Zealanders to understand what they should do in an earthquake, and to be prepared for when disaster strikes.

See www.shakeout.govt.nz and www.getthru.govt.nz for more information.