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Earthquake drill at 10:20 a.m. today: Drop, cover and hold on

Drop to the ground, get under a table or desk, hold on until the shaking stops
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Leni Boyarin, a Grade 7 student at Victoria School for Ideal Education, tries out the Quake Cottage on the front lawn of the B.C. legislature on Wednesday. The earthquake simulator was there to help promote the Great B.C. ShakeOut, a one-minute earthquake drill set for 10:20 a.m. today, Oct. 20, to practise the best ways to stay safe during an earthquake. DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST

The Great B.C. ShakeOut happens today, Oct. 20. It’s a one-minute earthquake drill set for 10:20 a.m. to practise the best ways to stay safe during an earthquake.

If you’re inside, the advice from emergency experts is to quickly drop to the ground, so you avoid being knocked to the ground, get under a sturdy protective cover such as a desk or table, and hold on until the shaking stops. When a desk or table isn’t available, drop to the ground, preferably in an inside corner, and use your hands and arms to cover your neck and head.

If you’re outdoors, try to find a clear spot away from trees, buildings and power lines, and drop to the ground.

If you’re driving, pull over to a clear spot, and stay in your car until the shaking stops. Don’t go to a doorway; don’t run outside.

More details about what to do are at the ShakeOut website.