Everyone, mark your calendars. It's on Thursday, October 15 at 10:15 AM.

At this time, earthquake evacuation drills will take place simultaneously across California. It's called the Great California ShakeOut, an annual event held on the third Thursday of October.

At first, I thought it was just something done at schools or workplaces. But I found out that individuals and families can participate as well.

This drill started in California in 2008. Now, it has become an international event where many regions around the world participate in the same way on the same day.

Last year's numbers are quite surprising. According to NBC Los Angeles, over 10.3 million people registered in California alone, with 4.1 million from LA and Orange County.

Interestingly, the timing is set in a specific way. Last year it was at 10:16 AM on October 16, and this year it's at 10:15 AM on October 15.

They set the date and time so that once you hear it, you won't forget it. I kind of like this detail.

So what do you do at 10:15? There are just three actions, and they're not difficult at all.

Drop, which means to get down on your hands and knees. You lower yourself before you fall.

Cover, which involves going under a sturdy desk or table and using one hand to protect your head and neck. If there's no place to hide, you can crouch next to an interior wall and cover your head and neck.

Hold On, which means to hold on to the table legs tightly until the shaking stops. If the table moves, move with it.

This is really the key point, and it differs from what we learned as kids. You've all heard that being under a doorway is the safest place, right?

According to the ShakeOut official guidelines, doorways are not safer in modern homes and buildings. They don't protect you from flying or falling objects.

This belief seems to have spread from old photos of adobe houses collapsing, leaving only the doorframe standing. I was a bit shocked when I learned this.

They also advise against running outside. It's the instinctive first reaction, but it's not safe.

If you run while the ground is shaking, you could easily fall and get hurt by broken glass or falling debris.

If you're lying in bed when it shakes, it's recommended not to get up. Instead, stay down, cover your head and neck with a pillow, and wait until the shaking stops.

If you're driving, pull over to the side of the road and set the parking brake. Avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, and large signs, and stay in your car until the shaking stops.

It would be a shame to end here. A good thing to do on drill day is to set up your phone.

The California state government promotes the MyShake app. It's a free app developed by the UC Berkeley Seismology Lab and sponsored by the state's Office of Emergency Services.

If an earthquake of magnitude 4.5 or higher is expected to shake your location, it will send you a warning through sound and visuals. It's available for both iPhone and Android.

Android phones have a built-in feature that receives alerts using the same ShakeAlert data without needing to download a separate app. Just check your settings to make sure it's turned on. It only takes a minute to verify.

You might wonder what's so great about getting a few seconds of warning. But whether you can drop down immediately in those few seconds ultimately comes down to practice.

Checking your emergency kit can also make for a truly meaningful day. Ready.gov recommends preparing one gallon of water per person per day for several days.

This amount includes water for drinking and washing. When you multiply the number of family members by the number of days, it adds up to more than you might think, so you might need to make a trip to Costco. Having flashlights, extra batteries, and first aid supplies will also give you peace of mind.

Participating is simple. Register as a family or individual at shakeout.org, and at 10:15 AM on the day, just perform the three actions at your location.

It's okay if you have a meeting scheduled at that time. According to the official guidelines, you can register for the drill on any day of the year at a time of your choosing.

This year, I set a goal. I plan to decide in advance which table to go under at home and get everyone settled within a minute. I want to time it like a game with my family.

If you have elderly parents, consider installing the MyShake app on their phones. In situations like this, those who prepare ahead of others come out ahead.

In reality, you never know when an earthquake will strike, so it's hard to show that you're prepared. But investing just one minute a year to make your body remember is an unbeatable value.

On October 15, Thursday at 10:15 AM, Drop, Cover, Hold On. Let's meet on the floor at that time.