Earthquake preparedness comes down to three jobs: secure heavy furniture and objects before shaking starts, practice Drop, Cover, then Hold On, and keep supplies for at least three days. Make a family plan with an out-of-state contact. After the shaking stops, expect aftershocks and call 911 for serious injuries.
The CDC says most deaths and injuries in earthquakes are caused by collapsing building materials and heavy falling objects. You can't control the building on the day, but you can control a lot of what might fall on you. That makes a free afternoon with a stud finder one of the best safety jobs you can do.
Walk through each room and ask, "What would tip, slide or fly if the floor shook?" Then work through this list from Ready.gov and the CDC:
TVs and wall items. Secure televisions and objects that hang on walls.
Shelves. Anchor bookcases and shelves, and store heavy and breakable objects on low shelves.
Water heater. The CDC suggests a wide metal strap around the top, attached to wall studs.
Mirrors and pictures. Move heavy mirrors and pictures that hang above beds, chairs and other places where you sit or sleep.
Cabinets. Secure cabinet doors with sliding bolts or childproof latches so dishes and jars stay inside.
Chimney and roof. The CDC suggests checking for loose masonry and fixing problems.
Chemicals. Store poisons, solvents and other toxic materials in a safe, well-ventilated area, away from your stored water and out of reach of children and pets.
Example (for illustration only): start with the bedroom. Move the framed print off the wall above the headboard, anchor the tall dresser to a stud, and keep sturdy shoes and a flashlight under the bed.
This is the core move Ready.gov teaches. Practice it with your family so it becomes automatic:
Drop to your hands and knees.
Cover your head and neck with your arms. Crawl only as far as you need to reach cover from falling materials, such as a sturdy table or desk.
Hold on to any sturdy furniture until the shaking stops.
The CDC adds that if there's no table nearby, get down near an interior wall or low furniture that won't fall on you, and stay away from windows. The CDC also encourages the whole family to practice an earthquake drill, especially if you have children.
Indoors: stay there until the shaking stops. Do not run outside (Ready.gov).
In bed: stay there and cover your head and neck with a pillow (Ready.gov).
Driving: stop quickly and safely in a clear area away from buildings, trees, overpasses, underpasses and utility wires. Set the parking brake and stay in the car until the shaking stops (Ready.gov, CDC).
Outdoors: stay outside and move away from buildings, utility wires, sinkholes, and fuel and gas lines (CDC).
In a high-rise: expect fire alarms and sprinklers to go off, and do not use elevators (Ready.gov).
Near slopes, cliffs or mountains: watch for falling rocks and landslides (Ready.gov).
Ready.gov says to keep enough food and water for at least three days, plus a flashlight, a fire extinguisher and a whistle. Think about each person's needs, including medication, and don't forget your pets. Keep extra batteries and charging devices for phones and other critical equipment.
The CDC's list of extra items for an earthquake kit at home includes:
An ax, a shovel and a broom
A rope for towing or rescue
Sturdy shoes that protect against broken glass, nails and other debris
Heavy, durable gloves for cleaning up debris
A multipurpose, dry chemical fire extinguisher
A whistle or other signaling device you carry in your purse or backpack
For your plan:
Create a family emergency communications plan that has an out-of-state contact, and decide where to meet if you get separated (Ready.gov).
Plan a second way out of each room if possible, and pick an outdoor meeting place (CDC).
Know where and how to shut off gas, electricity and water at the main switches or valves (CDC). Ask your utility companies for instructions.
Store important documents in a secure place, like a fireproof or waterproof safe (CDC).
Our sister site's emergency kit checklist covers the basic supplies in more detail.
Expect aftershocks. Ready.gov says they follow the largest shock of an earthquake. Drop, Cover, then Hold On again each time.
Check for injuries. Check yourself first, then help others if you have training. Call 911 for serious injuries.
Get out of damaged buildings. Go outside and move quickly away from the building. Do not go back into damaged buildings.
If you're trapped, cover your mouth. Send a text, bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle instead of shouting so rescuers can find you.
Near the coast? If your area may get tsunamis, go inland or to higher ground right after the shaking stops.
Save phone calls for emergencies. Once you're safe, follow local news by battery-powered radio, TV, social media and cell phone text alerts.
Clean up carefully. Don't try to move heavy debris by yourself. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves and sturdy, thick-soled shoes.
If you think there's a fire or a gas leak, get everyone out and call 911 from a safe place. Follow directions from local authorities if you're told to evacuate.
Ready.gov points out that standard homeowner's insurance does not cover earthquake damage, so it's worth asking about an earthquake policy. It also suggests considering a retrofit to fix structural problems that make a building vulnerable to collapse.
No. Ready.gov says if you're inside, stay there until the shaking stops and do not run outside. Drop, Cover, then Hold On where you are.
Stay in bed and cover your head and neck with a pillow. Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed for when the shaking stops.
Ready.gov and the CDC both say at least three days. Include water, food, medicines, a flashlight, a whistle and supplies for pets.
Standard homeowner's insurance does not cover earthquake damage, according to Ready.gov. Ask your insurer about a separate earthquake policy.
Family Ready: Emergency Plan is a free iPhone app, with optional paid upgrades, that has a household plan with sections for contacts, documents, insurance, home and more. Its free Emergency Card stores who to call first, allergies and medications, and opens without internet once your phone is unlocked. It does not replace emergency services, so call 911 yourself when someone needs help.
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