Save the Date: The Great British Columbia ShakeOut 2012

VANCOUVER, Oct. 1, 2012 /CNW/ - You are invited to join thousands of British Columbians to "Drop, Cover and Hold On" for The Great British Columbia ShakeOut 2012 (BC ShakeOut). The BC Earthquake Alliance and Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) are pleased to host the annual drill this year on Thursday, October 18th at 10:18am.

More than 460,000 have registered to participate in the BC ShakeOut from all over the west coast of North America. Participation in the drill is an annual opportunity to practice how to "Drop, Cover and Hold On" during earthquakes. Take a look at what a live drill looks like by clicking the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhRtNVW1oNI&feature=related

British Columbia is located in a seismically active region and is considered at high risk of an earthquake. The BC ShakeOut has been organized to raise earthquake preparedness and awareness and to help us practice how to protect ourselves when earthquakes happen. By reviewing and updating your emergency plans and supplies annually alongside the BC ShakeOut drill, you can help minimize damage and injuries when an earthquake hits.

IBC is taking a proactive leadership role in preparing Canada for a major earthquake. IBC's partnership with BC ShakeOut is an important step towards raising awareness on this important initiative.

You can register for The Great British Columbia ShakeOut 2012 at www.shakeoutbc.ca. Participation gives you assurance that you, your family, your co-workers and millions of others will be better prepared to survive and recover quickly from the next big earthquake.

Download the BC ShakeOut audio "drill broadcast" and play it during the drill on October 18 at 10:18am. Recordings are customized for British Columbia, with instructions to play during your "Drop, Cover, Hold On" drill. Using these resources can make your drill more interesting and educational.

Click here to download the drill broadcast.

For more info on IBC and The Great British Columbia ShakeOut 2012 visit ibc.ca.

For a full list of sponsors and organizers click here.

About ShakeOut
Great ShakeOut earthquake drills help people in homes, schools, and organizations practice how to be safe during big earthquakes, and provide an opportunity for everyone to improve their overall preparedness. By participating, you can have assurance that you, your family, your co-workers and millions of others will be better prepared to survive and recover quickly from the next big earthquake in your region. As of today, there are over 14.6 million people that have been registered to participate in ShakeOut drills in 2012, including over 10 million people, on October 18th.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 114,000 Canadians, pays more than $7 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $40 billion.

To view media releases and information, visit the media section of IBC's website at www.ibc.ca and for IBC on Twitter follow @insurancebureau.

SOURCE: INSURANCE BUREAU OF CANADA

Helen Lialias 
Media Relations Officer
Insurance Bureau of Canada
416-362-2031 ext. 4312
[email protected]

Ellen Woodger
Communications Consultant
Insurance Bureau of Canada
416-483-2358
[email protected]