Great Central U.S. ShakeOut earthquake drill Thursday

If you are indoors during an earthquake, drop, cover and hold on. Get under a desk, table or bench. Hold on to one of the legs and cover your eyes. If there's no table or desk nearby, sit down against an interior wall. An interior wall is less likely to collapse than a wall on the outside shell of the building.

Pick a safe place where things will not fall on you, away from windows, bookcases or tall, heavy furniture.

Make an earthquake kit that contains bottled drinking water, canned and dried nonperishable food, can opener, flashlights, first aid supplies, battery-powered radio, seasonal clothing and blankets. Try to have at least 72 hours of food and water for you and your family.

It is dangerous to run outside when an earthquake happens because bricks, roofing and other materials may fall from buildings during and immediately following earthquakes, injuring people near the building.

Wait in your safe place until the shaking stops, then check to see if you are hurt. You will be better able to help others if you take care of yourself first, then check the people around you.

Move carefully and watch out for things that have fallen or broken, creating hazards. Be ready for additional earthquakes called "aftershocks."

Be on the lookout for fires. Fire is the most common earthquake-related hazard due to broken gas lines, damaged electrical lines or appliances, and previously contained fires or sparks being released.

If you must leave a building after the shaking stops, use the stairs, not the elevator. Earthquakes can cause fire alarms and fire sprinklers to go off. You will not be certain whether there is a real threat of fire. As a precaution, use the stairs.

If you are outside in an earthquake, stay outside. Move away from buildings, trees, streetlights and power lines, which may fall, causing damage or injury Crouch down and cover your head. Many injuries occur within 10 feet of the entrance to buildings.

- Information from the City of Rolla and SEMA