Stop, drop, cover and hold on: Annual ‘shakeout’ event aims to prepare Utahns for an earthquake [Video]

SALT LAKE CITY — Over 900,000 people across the state will be buckling down during The Great Utah Shakeout on Thursday. The annual statewide earthquake preparedness drill is designed to get Utahns ready for the real deal.

The Utah Department of Public Safety’s Division of Emergency Management organizes the shakeout every year through its “Be Ready” initiative, which seeks to arm Utahns with the skills and knowledge they need to avoid falling victim to an unexpected natural disaster.

“Stay put, stop, drop, cover your head and hold on,” explained Wade Mathews, spokesman for the Division of Emergency Management, referencing the immediate actions that you should take should you find yourself in an earthquake.

The recommended earthquake safety procedure says people should avoid entering or exiting any buildings once the ground starts to shake because earthquakes can cause structural damage to buildings and present more hazards — like shattering glass and falling debris.

Additionally, it …