Earthquake Preparedness: Before, During, and After

Earthquakes Give No Warning -- But You Can Still Be Ready

Unlike hurricanes or winter storms, earthquakes arrive without advance notice. There is no forecast, no countdown, no evacuation window. That makes preparation before the event even more important.

The good news is that earthquake preparedness is mostly about simple physical steps in your home and clear knowledge of what to do in the moment. This guide covers all three phases: what to do before, during, and after an earthquake.

Before: Preparing Your Home and Family

Secure Heavy Items

Most earthquake injuries come from falling objects, not from the building itself collapsing. A few hours of securing heavy items can dramatically reduce risk.

High-priority items to secure:

• Bookcases and shelving units -- anchor to wall studs with L-brackets or furniture straps
• Water heater -- strap to the wall with earthquake straps (required by code in many states)
• Televisions and monitors -- use anti-tip straps or mount to the wall
• Heavy artwork and mirrors -- use closed hooks rather than open picture hangers
• Kitchen cabinets -- install child-safety latches to prevent doors from flying open

Time required: 2-4 hours for a typical home. Cost: $20-50 for straps, brackets, and latches.

Identify Safe Spots in Every Room

In advance, identify the safest location in each room of your home:

• Under a sturdy desk or table -- the best option in most rooms
• Against an interior wall, away from windows -- if no sturdy furniture is available
• Away from tall furniture, mirrors, and hanging objects

Make sure every household member, including children, knows the safe spot in the rooms they use most (bedrooms, kitchen, living room).

Store an Emergency Kit

Your standard [emergency kit](/blog/emergency-kit-checklist-complete-guide) is essential. For earthquake-prone areas, add:

• Sturdy shoes by each bed -- broken glass is one of the most common post-earthquake hazards
• A flashlight by each bed -- earthquakes may cut power instantly
• Work gloves -- for handling debris
• Wrench or pliers -- to shut off gas and water valves
• Dust masks or N95 respirators -- for airborne dust and debris
• Whistle -- to signal for help if trapped

Know Your Utilities

Learn how to shut off your home's utilities before you need to:

• Gas: Locate the main gas valve (usually near the meter). Keep an adjustable wrench nearby. Only shut off gas if you smell gas or hear hissing. Once shut off, only the gas company should turn it back on.
• Water: Find the main shutoff valve. Practice turning it.
• Electricity: Know the location of your breaker panel and how to shut off the main breaker.

Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On

This is the single most important earthquake safety action. Practice it with your family until it is automatic:

1. DROP to your hands and knees
2. COVER your head and neck under a sturdy desk or table
3. HOLD ON to the table legs and be prepared to move with it

Practice this at home, and discuss what to do in other locations: at school, at work, in a car, outdoors.

During: What to Do When Shaking Starts

If You Are Indoors

• Drop, Cover, and Hold On immediately
• Stay inside -- do not try to run outside during shaking
• Stay away from windows, mirrors, and heavy furniture that could fall
• If in bed, stay in bed -- cover your head with a pillow
• If in a wheelchair, lock the wheels and cover your head and neck

If You Are Outdoors

• Move to an open area away from buildings, power lines, and trees
• Drop to the ground if necessary to maintain balance
• Watch for falling debris from buildings

If You Are Driving

• Pull over to a clear area away from overpasses, bridges, power lines, and buildings
• Stay in the car with your seatbelt fastened
• Set the parking brake and wait for shaking to stop

If You Are in a Public Building

• Drop, Cover, and Hold On under a table, desk, or against an interior wall
• Do not rush for the exits -- doorways and stairwells can be crowded and dangerous
• Stay away from elevators

What NOT to Do

• Do not stand in a doorway -- this is an outdated recommendation. Doorways in modern buildings are no stronger than any other part of the structure.
• Do not run outside -- most injuries occur from falling debris while entering or exiting buildings.
• Do not use the "triangle of life" method -- this has been debunked by every major earthquake safety organization. Drop, Cover, and Hold On is the correct technique.

After: The Critical First Hours

Immediate Actions

• Check yourself for injuries before trying to help others
• Put on sturdy shoes before moving (broken glass is everywhere)
• Check your household members for injuries
• Use your flashlight -- do not light matches or candles (gas leaks may be present)
• Check for gas leaks -- if you smell gas, open windows, leave the building, and call 911 from outside

Assess Your Home

• Check for structural damage -- visible cracks in walls, shifted foundation, leaning walls
• If the building appears unsafe, leave immediately and do not re-enter
• Check water and sewer lines -- if you suspect damage, avoid using toilets and faucets
• Turn off utilities if you detect damage

Expect Aftershocks

Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that follow the main event. They can occur minutes, hours, or even weeks later. Some aftershocks can be significant.

• Each aftershock: Drop, Cover, and Hold On again
• Stay alert for several days after a major earthquake
• Do not re-enter damaged buildings -- aftershocks can cause further collapse

Communication

• Text instead of calling -- text messages use less bandwidth and are more likely to go through when networks are congested
• Check in with your out-of-area contact using your family communication plan
• Use social media sparingly for check-ins to conserve phone battery
• Monitor official sources for updates (USGS, local emergency management)

Earthquake Preparedness for Renters

You do not need to own your home to prepare for an earthquake:

• Secure furniture with removable straps (no wall damage required for some designs)
• Use museum putty to secure items on shelves (removes cleanly)
• Ask your landlord about seismic retrofitting and water heater strapping
• Know the building's safety features -- exit routes, fire extinguisher locations, utility shutoffs
• Renters insurance covers your belongings (not the building itself) and is typically $15-30 per month

The Earthquake Checklist

• [ ] Heavy furniture secured to walls
• [ ] Water heater strapped
• [ ] Safe spots identified in every room
• [ ] Sturdy shoes and flashlight by each bed
• [ ] Gas, water, and electric shutoffs known
• [ ] Emergency kit with earthquake additions assembled
• [ ] Family has practiced Drop, Cover, and Hold On
• [ ] Communication plan established
• [ ] Important documents backed up digitally
• [ ] Home inventory documented for insurance

Your Earthquake Readiness

Every item on this list is a specific, measurable action. Prevna tracks your progress through each one and calculates your Earthquake Scenario Score. Most households can complete the full checklist in a single weekend.

Living in a seismically active area does not need to be stressful. It simply requires preparation -- and preparation is a series of small, practical steps.

[Create your personalized plan](/wizard) to get an earthquake preparedness checklist tailored to your home type, household members, and seismic zone.