Earthquake drill is Oct. 19 - are you prepared for the real thing?

The OIC is participating along with 1.2 million others in the Great Washington Shakeout statewide earthquake drill on Oct. 19. Washington state is no stranger to earthquakes, and the preparedness of our region has been a topic of much discussion in the media as of late.

Did you know?

• In most cases, earthquake insurance has to be purchased separately. Check your policy to see if you are covered. Earthquake insurance is not covered by most homeowner policies and most insurers will suspend selling policies after a quake. 
• Nonstructural failures have accounted for the majority of earthquake damage. This includes windows, partitions, veneers, piping, false ceilings, HVAC, elevators, computers, file cabinets, plumbing fixtures, etc.

Here are some tips to prepare for an earthquake:

• Check your work area and home. Are bookshelves, dressers, china cabinets secured? If they fall over, they could block your only way out, leaving you trapped until someone can find you and rescue you.
• Do you know where and how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity to your home?
• Washington Emergency Management (EMD) is recommending that households have supplies to survive on their own for two weeks. FEMA’s Ready.gov page and the Washington EMD preparedness page has lists, plans, and other resources for preparing your home, family, car, and pets.

Learn more about earthquake insurance.