SEATTLE- Are you prepared if an earthquake were to hit Western Washington? That’s the focus of the Great Washington ShakeOut Thursday.

The annual event focuses on preparing people for an earthquake and practicing safety during an active quake.

On Thursday, October 17, at 10:17 a.m. PDT, millions of people participated in earthquake drills at work, school or simply at home across the country. Did you take part?

Send us your photos or videos of your earthquake drill to Chime-In.

About earthquakes

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said earthquakes occur every day in Washington state, but most are too small to be felt. Larger quakes may not be common in the state, but Washington still has the second-highest risk of major earthquakes in the country because of its geologic location, according to the DNR.

According to the DNR, there are dozens of active faults and fault zones in Washington state. Some are remote, while others, such as the Seattle Fault and the southern Whidbey Island Fault Zone, cross major cities and pose a significant hazard.

“In general, larger faults result in larger earthquakes,” the DNR said. “All faults, regardless of size, can be dangerous if they rupture.”

The largest active fault that will affect Washington state and the entire Pacific Northwest is the Cascadia subduction zone. According to the DNR, this fault causes some of the largest and most devastating earthquakes in the world.

A devastating earthquake is “inevitable” on this fault, the DNR said, but it is not known exactly when it will happen. This is the so-called “big problem” that many Washingtonians are talking about, but again, there is no telling when it will happen.

This makes it even more important to understand earthquake risks and what you should do during a seismic event. The DNR has offered the following tips on how to prepare in the event of an earthquake near you.

SEE ALSO: Great Washington ShakeOut: Annual event highlights earthquake preparedness

Before the quake

The DNR said before an earthquake occurs, you should be aware of the risks, what to expect and any other hazards you could face in the event of an earthquake.

Depending on how large the earthquake is, the damage could affect electricity, water, natural gas and telephones. It is important to know that it is not just buildings, roads and other infrastructure that are affected by the quake and to prepare accordingly.

You should also know your area to determine if you are at risk of a landslide or tsunami, which could potentially cause more damage than the actual earthquake. When determining this risk, ask yourself whether your home is secured to its foundation, whether there are items in your home that could be better secured, and whether your home is built to withstand the amount and type of ground shaking Earthquake was supposed to happen.

In the event an earthquake occurs, the DNR says you should create an emergency plan and prepare to be alone for at least three days.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), you should have the following in your earthquake emergency kit in case of an emergency:

• Fire extinguisher
• Adequate supplies of medications you or your family members are taking
• Crescent and pipe wrenches for shutting off gas and water supplies
• First aid kit and manual
• Flashlights with additional bulbs and batteries
• Portable radio with additional batteries
• Water for each family member for at least two weeks (at least 1 gallon per person per day), and purification tablets or chlorine bleach to purify drinking water from other sources
• Preserved and packaged food, enough for several days and mechanical can opener. Additional pet food if needed
• Camp stove or grill for outdoor cooking (keep fuel out of reach of children)
• Waterproof, robust plastic bags for waste disposal.

Another good tip is to make sure you know how to turn off your home’s natural gas and water supplies. Broken gas lines are the biggest source of fire after earthquakes, according to the DNR, and a broken water line can deprive your home of usable water when you need it most.

During the quake

An earthquake can happen at any time. Therefore, it is best to know what to do regardless of where you are. The general advice during an earthquake is to drop, hide and hold on.

“Get on your hands and knees. Cover your head and neck with your arms to protect yourself from falling debris. Hold on to stable shelter until the shaking stops,” the DNR said.

This advice remains largely the same, but may change slightly depending on whether you are outdoors or in a moving vehicle.

What to do in an earthquake:

• Stay away from glass, windows, exterior doors and walls, and anything that could fall.
• If you are lying in bed, stay there and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
• Don’t stay in a doorway. Doors do not provide protection from falling or flying objects and you may not be able to stand.
• Stay indoors until the shaking stops and it is safe for you to go outside. Do not leave a building during the shaking.
• Do not use elevators.

What to do if you are in a moving vehicle:

• Stop quickly and safely and then remain in the vehicle. Try to avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, bridges or utility lines.
• Be careful when the earthquake passes. Roads, bridges, or ramps you are driving on may have been damaged by the earthquake.

After the quake

After an earthquake, check for injuries and get first aid if necessary.

If you are in a house, pay attention to whether there is gas. If you suspect that the gas line may be damaged in any way, turn off the gas supply. Fires are a common danger after an earthquake.

According to the DNR, other large earthquakes often occur hours, days and even weeks after the first one, so aftershocks should be expected. Drop down, cover up, and hold on whenever you shake.

Tsunamis are another common consequence of earthquakes. If you find yourself near a large body of water, evacuate to higher ground and return home as soon as local authorities say it is safe.

If you return home or to a residence, the DNR says you should be very careful as structures can be damaged where you least expect it.

ShakeAlert early warning system

Another great way to stay prepared is to sign up to receive notifications through ShakeAlert.

ShakeAlert is an earthquake early warning system managed by the USGS that detects major earthquakes quickly enough to warn people and automated systems potentially seconds before the tremors arrive.

According to the USGS, the system does not predict earthquakes, but rather detects ground movements after an earthquake has already begun. The system currently covers California, Oregon and Washington state.

You can receive Washington state-specific alerts by downloading the MyShake app. You can find the app in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.

Click here to learn more about ShakeAlert and how to sign up for alerts.