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Earthquake

Associated with the page Types of emergency situations

On October 17, 2024, at 10:17 a.m., thousands of people across Quebec will duck, cover and hold on for La Grande Secousse, the province’s largest earthquake drill. And you, the citizens of Brossard, are invited to participate, whether at this very hour or at any other time of the day!

Why is this important? Quebec is a seismically active region, with some 450 earthquakes recorded every year. Even if we don’t always feel them, the threat of a major earthquake is very real. That’s why this exercise is essential to prepare you and your family to respond safely and effectively in the event of an emergency.

How to get involved It’s quick and easy :

1. duck, cover and hold on! At 10:17 a.m. (or another convenient time), practice earthquake safety. Lower yourself to the ground, take cover under a table or desk and hold on tightly for 60 seconds. Practice with your family so that everyone knows what to do in the event of an earthquake.


2.observe your environment. During the exercise, look around you. What objects could fall? What are the dangers in your home? Make sure every member of the family is aware of the potential risks and knows how to protect themselves.


3.prepare for the aftermath. Practice your reaction once the shaking is over. Where will you find your family? How will you leave the house safely? These simple gestures can make all the difference.


On October 17, make safety a priority for you and your loved ones. Whether you take part at 10.17 a.m. or any other time, the most important thing is to practice together. Get ready, and together, let’s make Brossard safer!

In the event of an earthquake, here’s what you can do to stay safe:

  • Create a family safety plan;
  • Identify safe places where you can quickly take shelter;
  • Secure furniture such as shelves and bookcases, as well as objects hung on the wall;
  • Avoid placing heavy objects on top of a shelf or above the headboard of a bed;
  • Keep chemicals and flammables away from sources of heat and in a place where spills are less likely to occur; and
  • Place non-slip mats under electronics and small appliances, or secure them with hook-and-loop tape.

Follow the safety rules that apply when the earth shakes

You can protect yourself in the event of an earthquake.

If you are in a house or building:

  • Stay inside;
  • Take cover under a heavy piece of furniture (table, desk, bed);
  • Grab hold of the furniture you’ve taken refuge under to keep yourself well covered;
  • Cover your head and torso to protect yourself from objects that could fall during an earthquake;
  • Crouch down along a wall if you can’t take shelter under heavy furniture or if you’re in a corridor; and
  • Stay away from windows and doors.

If you use a wheelchair, lock the wheels and protect your neck and head.

If you’re in an elevator, press the buttons on each floor and get out of the elevator as soon as you can.

If you are outside:

  • Stay outside; and
  • Take refuge in an open area, away from buildings and crowds if you’re in a busy place.

If you are driving a vehicle:

  • Park in a safe place, away from buildings, bridges and overpasses, making sure not to block the road;
  • Stay inside your vehicle;
  • Listen to the radio for instructions from the authorities; and
  • If electrical wires have fallen on your car, do not get out of your vehicle and wait for assistance.

If you’re on a bus, stay seated until it stops. Then take refuge in a protected area. If this is not possible, remain seated, lean forward and protect your head with your arms.

Source and reference for further information: Urgence Québec – Earthquake

See also: Government of Canada – Get Ready – Earthquakes

Get ready for the big one!

Every year at the same time in October, thousands of people in Quebec practice the safest technique available during a major earthquake: “duck, cover and hold on”..

The Great Shakeout exercise is designed to encourage your family, community, school or organization to review and update your emergency plan and survival equipment, and to secure your living space to limit the risk of injury, loss of life and property damage.

Quebec is located in an area known for its high seismic activity: some 200 tremors are recorded every year in this region. The threat of a major earthquake in Quebec is very real.

Why practice bending, ducking and grasping on a regular basis?

To react quickly, you need to practice often. If an earthquake occurs, you may only have a few seconds to protect yourself before the shock causes you to fall, or an object to fall on you. You’ll be better prepared to react if you’ve mastered the “duck, cover and grab” method.

If you’re inside a building, don’t take more than a few steps before ducking, sheltering and grabbing on. You need :

GET DOWN on the ground (without waiting for the earthquake to do it!),

REST under a sturdy desk or table;

HOLD ON tight until the shaking stops.

Stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you’re sure it’s safe to leave. In most Quebec buildings, it’s safer to stay indoors until the shaking has stopped.

If you’re outside when the ground starts to shake, find an open spot as far away as possible from buildings, trees, lampposts and power lines, then duck, shelter and hold on. Stay in this position until the shaking stops.

If you’re in a car, stop in an open area, keep your seatbelt fastened, and wait for the shaking to stop. When they have stopped, be very careful and avoid bridges and ramps, which can be damaged.

During an earthquake, injuries are rarely caused by the tremors themselves. Collapsing walls, collapsing roofs, shattering glass and flying objects are all potential sources of injury. It is extremely important to move as little as possible to take shelter. Most injuries occur when people travel too far during shaking.

Observe your living environment. Whether you’re at home, at school or in the office, be sure to locate safe shelters – under solid furniture or against interior walls, for example – so you can react quickly when the earth starts to shake. Avoid unnecessary steps to reduce the risk of injury from flying debris. Taking shelter quickly can save a life.

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