Health: What to Do During an Earthquake: Drop, Cover, Hold On Practice
Practice safe actions before, during, and after shaking
Health: What to Do During an Earthquake: Drop, Cover, Hold On Practice
Practice safe actions before, during, and after shaking
Health - Grade 4-5
- 1
Write the three steps in the earthquake safety rule called Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Explain what each step means.
Think about what your body should do first, how to protect your head, and when to stay in place.
The three steps are Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Drop means get down on your hands and knees. Cover means protect your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk if possible. Hold On means keep holding the shelter until the shaking stops. - 2
You are sitting at your desk when the floor starts shaking. What should you do first?
You should drop to your hands and knees right away. This helps keep you from falling while you move to cover. - 3
You are in the classroom and there is a sturdy table close to you. Describe how to use it safely during an earthquake.
Use all three parts of Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
You should get under the sturdy table, cover your head and neck, and hold on to a table leg until the shaking stops. This helps protect you from falling objects. - 4
True or false: During an earthquake, you should run outside as quickly as possible. Explain your answer.
False. You should not run outside during the shaking because you could fall or be hurt by falling glass, bricks, or other objects. It is safer to Drop, Cover, and Hold On where you are. - 5
You are reading near a window when an earthquake begins. What should you do to protect yourself?
Glass can be dangerous during shaking.
You should drop to the ground, move away from the window if you can do so safely, cover your head and neck, and hold on under sturdy cover. Windows can break during an earthquake. - 6
You are in the hallway at school when the shaking starts and there is no desk nearby. What is a safe action?
You should drop to the ground, cover your head and neck with your arms, and stay away from windows, display cases, and heavy objects. You should hold your position until the shaking stops. - 7
List two unsafe places to stand during an earthquake and explain why they are unsafe.
Think about things that could fall, break, or move.
Two unsafe places are near windows and near tall shelves. Windows can break and shelves can tip over or drop objects during shaking. - 8
A student hides in a doorway during an earthquake. Is this the best safety choice in most modern buildings? Explain what the student should do instead.
Hiding in a doorway is not the best safety choice in most modern buildings. The student should Drop, Cover, and Hold On under a sturdy desk or table if one is nearby. - 9
Look at this safety plan: 1. Drop to hands and knees. 2. Crawl under a sturdy desk. 3. Hold on to the desk leg. 4. Leave as soon as the shaking starts. Which step should be changed, and how?
During shaking, staying protected is usually safer than moving around.
Step 4 should be changed. The student should stay under cover and hold on until the shaking stops, then follow an adult's directions or the school safety plan. - 10
You are outside on the playground when an earthquake begins. What should you do?
You should move to an open area away from buildings, trees, fences, power lines, and playground equipment if it is safe to do so. Then drop to the ground, cover your head and neck, and stay there until the shaking stops. - 11
After the shaking stops, your friend wants to go back into the classroom to get a backpack. What should you say or do?
Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that can happen after the main one.
You should tell your friend not to go back inside unless a trusted adult says it is safe. Aftershocks and damage can make buildings dangerous after an earthquake. - 12
Create a short classroom reminder poster with 3 to 5 words or phrases that help students remember earthquake safety.
A good reminder poster could say: Drop, Cover, Hold On, protect your head and neck, stay away from windows, and wait for directions. The poster should focus on safe actions during and after shaking.