Shaking down earthquake myths Jessica Berget Editor-in-Chief I writing the feature this week, | learned a lot about earthquakes and earthquake safety. The 1200 words was not nearly enough to say everything that I wanted to say about this pressing issue—so I'll say it here! One of the things I learned about earthquakes are the many common misconceptions or fake safety measures. For instance, there is a popular myth—that we've all heard—that you are supposed to stand in a door frame in the event of an earthquake, but this has since been debunked. Standing in a doorway will do Room 1020 - 700 Royal Ave. Douglas College New Westminster, BC, V3L 5B2 604-525-3542 Jessica Berget Editor-in-Chief uP). editor@theotherpress.ca Position Open News Editor © news@theotherpress.ca Morgan Hannah A Life & Style Editor - M lifeandstyle@theotherpress.ca Position Open Entertainment Editor WM humour@theotherpress.ca Christine Weenk Layout Manager M layout@theotherpress.ca Lauren Kelly S Graphics Manager © graphics@theotherpress.ca nothing to protect you or may even make you a bigger target. For one thing, there might be a door attached to that door frame, and doors are a big no-no when the ground is aggressively shaking—there is the very real possibility of the door slamming on your hand. You are also exposing yourself to any falling furniture or debris, and also, the doorway could possibly collapse! Another myth I’ve heard I learned about in my BC Geography class is the “triangle of life” theory, which I later read was unsubstantiated. The triangle of life theory says that if you sit next to something taller than you rather than under a table, falling furniture will fall on the object @ theotherpress.ca © editor@theotherpress.ca ¥ © /theotherpress f/douglasotherpress Janis McMath Pra Assistant Editor i, Massistant@theotherpress.ca a fa Sonam Kaloti Arts Editor M arts@theotherpress.ca Matthew Fraser Opinions Editor M opinions@theotherpress.ca Caroline Ho F ay Web Editor i © webeditor@theotherpress.ca - Nhi ‘Jenny’ Vo a Production Assistant fC a. Jacey Gibb Distribution Manager youre sitting by, leaving an open triangle or void between them that supposedly keeps you safe? This has also been debunked as the person who started it, Doug Copp, was making observations based on earthquakes in Turkey—where they have very different building codes, engineering, and standards of safety. Besides the myths, there was a lot I learned about earthquakes I never knew. For instance, pet preparedness! In the event of an earthquake we know what we're all supposed to do and supplies we need, but your pet needs supplies to survive as well. The City of Vancouver website recommends you have your veterinary records in a Ziplock bag, medication (if Brittney MacDonald Business Manager Atiba Nelson Staff Reporter Craig Allan Tania Arora EG Manilag Staff Writers Billy Bui Staff Photographer Jerrison Oracion Senior Columnist James Wetmore Contributors Cover layout by Lauren Kelly and Janis McMath Feature layout by Christine Weenk needed), a pet first aid kit, extra collars and leashes, blankets, toys, kennels, cat litter, food for three days, and of course—treats... and lots of them. Your pets have been through an ordeal. Another thing to worry about is the prospect of tsunami’s—which is a very real fear living close to the water. If you are by the beach during an earthquake it is likely that there will be a tsunami following. Get away from the beach and move to higher ground after the ground stops shaking. Limes, Jessica Berget Jessica Berget The Other Press has been Douglas College’s student newspaper since 1976. Since 1978 we have been an autonomous publication, independent of the student union. We are a registered society under the Society Act of British Columbia, governed by an eight-person board of directors appointed by our staff. Our head office is located in the New Westminster campus. The Other Press is published weekly during the fall and winter semesters, and monthly during the summer. We receive our funding from a student levy collected through tuition fees every semester at registration, and from local and national advertising revenue. The Other Press is a member of the Canadian University Press (CUP), a syndicate of student newspapers that includes papers from all across Canada. The Other Press reserves the right to choose what we will publish, and we will not publish material that is hateful, obscene, or condones or promotes illegal activities. Submissions may be edited for clarity and brevity if necessary. All images used are copyright to their respective owners.