Drop, cover anD holD still 

the best aDvice

When the shaking starts, the best advice is still to 

Drop, Cover and Hold.

The advice from civil defence and The NZ Society for 

Earthquake Engineering comes in response to a widely 

circulated email by a self-professed rescue expert. 

Information in the email contradicts current advice on 

what to do in an earthquake. Although the email source 

has been discredited in the US, where it originated, the 

emails have been virulent enough to create some public 

concern both in the US and in New Zealand.

Standard advice in New Zealand for what to do in an 

earthquake is to drop, take cover under a sturdy piece 

of furniture, and hold on, or shelter against an interior 

wall away from windows, bookcases etc. That advice still 

holds true and has not changed says John Hamilton, the 

Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management.

“This practice will protect people in most earthquake 

scenarios. This is the drill practiced by

schoolchildren, and what civil defence agencies have 

consistently promoted around the country.

“In a severe earthquake it is absolutely vital that people 

respond immediately. Confusion about what to do can 

result in people getting seriously injured or killed.”

“Our advice is to identify safe places in your home, 

office or school before an earthquake so that when the 

shaking starts you can respond quickly.

“An immediate response to move to the safe place can 

save lives. And that safe place should be within a few 

steps or two metres to avoid injury from flying debris,” 

says Mr Hamilton.

Graeme Beattie, who is president of the NZ Society for 

Earthquake Engineering and is a structural engineer 

at the Building Research Association of NZ, says that 

each year about 70 damaging earthquakes occur 

throughout the world.

New Zealand experiences hundreds of earthquakes 

every year but most of these are either very deep in the 

earth’s crust or centred well offshore, and cause little 

damage or injury. But over 100 quakes a year are big 

enough to be felt, and a severe one can occur at any 

time.

“The 1931 magnitude 7.8 Hawke’s Bay earthquake 

caused significant damage and resulted in the 

introduction of the first New Zealand earthquake-

resistant design standards.”

“In New Zealand we are fortunate to have sound 

building codes and earthquake resilient structures and 

can have some level of confidence in our buildings.

“But we know from recent international tragedies such 

as the ones in Kobe, Japan in 1995, and in Taiwan 

in 1998, that the best building codes in the world 

do nothing for buildings built before modern codes 

were enacted. Fixing problems in older buildings – 

retrofitting - is in most cases the responsibility of the 

building’s owner. However, small improvements can 

make big differences.”

“Ground vibrations during an earthquake are seldom 

the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-

related injuries and deaths result from collapsing 

walls, flying glass, and falling objects caused by the 

ground shaking,” says Mr Beattie.

1. Before an earthquake

•  Identify safe places very close to you at home, 

school or workplace, such as under a sturdy table, 

or next to an interior wall.

•  Develop a Household Emergency Plan and have 

emergency survival items so that you can cope on 

your own for at least three days

•  Protect property - secure objects and your homes 

and keep insurance up to date

Know what to do – before you have to do it!

3. After an earthquake

•  Expect aftershocks and help those around you if 

you can

•  Report injuries or fires to the emergency services 

(dial 111).

•  Put out small fires. Evacuate the building if the 

fires cannot be controlled.

•  Listen to the radio for advice and information.

•  If your property is damaged, take notes or photos 

for the loss adjustor.

•  Do not go sightseeing and stay out of damaged 

buildings

2. During an earthquake

•  Move no more than a few steps to a safe place, 

drop, cover, and hold on.

•  Do not attempt to run outside

•  If outside, move no more than a few steps to a 

safe place, drop, cover, and hold

•  If in a lift, stop at the nearest floor and get out

•  If you are driving, pull over to the side of the road. 

Stay in the vehicle until the shaking stops

We can take some simple steps to reduce the danger to ourselves, our families, 

and property when earthquakes occur.

Detailed information on what to do is available at www.getthru.govt.nz.

www.gns.cri.nz and www.nzsee.org.nz also offer information on earthquakes.

earthQUaKes