Earthquake Preparedness for Families: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Household

Key Takeaways

• A family communication plan is your single most important non-physical preparation — after an earthquake, cell networks fail, schools lock down, and family members may be scattered across a city. Know how you'll find each other before it happens.
• Every family member should carry an emergency contact card with the out-of-area contact number, two meeting locations, and medical information. Children too young to memorize numbers need this in their backpack, jacket pocket, or on a wristband.
• Age-appropriate preparation matters — a 4-year-old needs to learn "turtle" (Drop, Cover, Hold On as a game), while a teenager should know how to shut off gas and use a fire extinguisher.
• Special needs planning is not optional — infants, elderly family members, people with disabilities, and pets each require specific supplies and protocols that generic emergency kits don't cover.
• Your family emergency kit should sustain every member for 72 hours minimum — FEMA's standard. Families in remote areas or regions with infrastructure vulnerabilities should aim for 7 days.
• Practice your plan twice a year — a plan that hasn't been rehearsed is just a piece of paper.

Introduction

When an earthquake hits, families rarely start out together. A parent is at work downtown. One child is at school. Another is at a friend's house. The other parent is running errands. Cell towers are jammed. Schools go into lockdown. Roads may be impassable.

The families that handle this well are the ones who planned for it. Not because they predicted the earthquake, but because they sat down together, talked through the scenarios, and gave every family member — including the 6-year-old — a role and a plan.

This guide is designed for families with children of all ages, including households with infants, elderly members, people with disabilities, and pets. Every recommendation comes from FEMA, the American Red Cross, or state emergency management agencies.

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Building a Family Communication Plan

Why Cell Phones Aren't Enough

After the 2011 Virginia earthquake — a moderate 5.8-magnitude event — voice call networks along the East Coast were overwhelmed within minutes. The same pattern repeated after the 2014 Napa earthquake and every significant seismic event since. FEMA reports that voice call completion rates can drop below 10% in the hours following a major earthquake.

Your communication plan must work without functioning cell service.

The Out-of-Area Contact

Choose one person — a friend or relative in a different state — as your family's central communication hub. After an earthquake, it's often easier to complete a long-distance call or text than a local one, because the network congestion is concentrated around the affected area.

This person's role:

• Receive check-in calls or texts from each family member.
• Relay information between family members who can't reach each other directly.
• Know your family's meeting locations and school pickup plans.

Every family member should have this contact's name, phone number, and relationship written on their emergency contact card and memorized if old enough.

Designated Meeting Locations

Establish two meeting points:

1. Near-home meeting point: A specific spot outside your home — the mailbox, a neighbor's front porch, the large tree at the end of the block. This is where you gather if you're all home or nearby when the earthquake strikes.

2. Out-of-neighborhood meeting point: A location outside your immediate area in case you can't reach home — a school, library, community center, place of worship, or a friend's house in an adjacent neighborhood. Choose somewhere everyone can walk to within 30–60 minutes.

Write both locations on every family member's emergency contact card. Walk the routes together so children know the way.

Text Before You Call

FEMA recommends texting as your first communication method after a disaster. SMS messages use far less network bandwidth than voice calls and are queued for delivery even if the network is temporarily congested. A text that doesn't go through immediately may be delivered minutes later as network capacity returns.

Establish a family check-in text protocol. It can be as simple as: text "OK" to the family group chat and to the out-of-area contact. If injured but safe, text "SAFE + [location]." If you need help, text "HELP + [location]."

Register on Safe and Well

The American Red Cross maintains the Safe and Well registry, which allows disaster survivors to post a status message that friends and family can search. Practice registering so it's familiar during an actual emergency.

Build your complete earthquake emergency plan

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The Family Emergency Contact Card

Every family member should carry a physical card — not just rely on a phone — with the following information. Print one for each person. Laminate them or put them in a small zip-lock bag. Young children should keep theirs in their backpack and jacket pocket.

Emergency Contact Card Template

Field	Details
Family name
Child's full name
Home address
Parent/Guardian 1	Name: _____ Phone: _____ Work address: _____
Parent/Guardian 2	Name: _____ Phone: _____ Work address: _____
Out-of-area contact	Name: _____ Phone: _____ City/State: _____
Meeting point 1 (near home)	Location: _____
Meeting point 2 (out of neighborhood)	Location: _____
School name & phone
Doctor name & phone
Medical conditions/allergies
Medications
Blood type
Insurance policy number

Print extra copies: one for each family member, one in the emergency kit, one in each car, one with the out-of-area contact.

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Age-Appropriate Earthquake Preparation

Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 2–5)

Children this age won't understand tectonic plates, but they can learn a physical response. The key is making it familiar and non-scary.

What to teach:

• The "turtle game": When you hear "earthquake" (or feel shaking), become a turtle — drop down, curl up under your shell (a table or desk), and hold on tight. Practice this regularly as a game.
• Safe spots: Walk them through the house and show them the safe spot in each room — under the kitchen table, under their desk, next to their bed.
• Staying put: Teach them not to run to you during shaking. This is counterintuitive for a child — they'll want to find a parent — so it requires repeated practice.

What to have for them:

• Emergency contact information sewn into or pinned inside their jacket.
• A comfort item (small stuffed animal) in your emergency kit to reduce stress.
• Extra diapers/pull-ups if applicable.
• Familiar snacks in the emergency kit.

Elementary School Children (Ages 6–10)

Children in this age range can understand more about what earthquakes are and actively participate in family preparedness.

What to teach:

• Drop, Cover, and Hold On — practice in every room and at different times of day.
• Their full name, address, and the out-of-area contact's phone number (memorized).
• How to use the emergency contact card.
• Basic buddy system — if the earthquake happens and a sibling is nearby, stay together.
• What to do at school: follow the teacher's instructions, wait for parents at the reunification point.

What to have them practice:

• Finding the emergency kit and putting on sturdy shoes.
• Walking the route to both meeting points.
• Sending a text message to the out-of-area contact.

Tweens and Teenagers (Ages 11–17)

Teens are capable of being active participants in the family's emergency response. Give them real responsibility.

What to teach:

• Everything younger children learn, plus:
• How to shut off gas at the meter (show them the valve and where the wrench is).
• How to shut off electricity at the breaker box.
• How to use a fire extinguisher (the PASS method: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep).
• Basic first aid: stopping bleeding with direct pressure, recognizing shock symptoms, when to call 911.
• How to assess a room for hazards after shaking stops (look up for ceiling damage, check for gas smell, avoid downed wires).

Additional responsibilities:

• Teens should know where the emergency kit is stored and what's in it.
• Assign them a specific role in the family plan — checking on a younger sibling, grabbing the emergency kit, leading the family to the meeting point.
• Ensure they have their own emergency contact card in their wallet, backpack, and phone case.

Age-Appropriate Preparation Summary

Age Group	Key Skills to Teach	Emergency Card Location	Family Role
2–5 years	Turtle game, safe spots, stay put	Sewn into jacket, backpack	Follow instructions
6–10 years	Drop/Cover/Hold On, memorize contact info, walk to meeting point	Backpack, jacket pocket	Buddy system with sibling
11–14 years	Utility shutoffs, fire extinguisher, first aid basics	Wallet, backpack, phone case	Grab emergency kit, check on siblings
15–17 years	All of the above + hazard assessment, full first aid	Wallet, phone case, car	Lead younger siblings, assist neighbors

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School Pickup and Reunification Plans

After a significant earthquake, schools will not release children through normal dismissal procedures. Most districts implement a controlled reunification process that requires authorized adults to present identification and sign students out in person.

What Parents Need to Know

• Schools will shelter in place until they've assessed building safety and local conditions. Do not expect to pick up your child immediately.
• Authorized pickup list: Ensure your school has a current list of every person authorized to pick up your child. Include at least 3 people in addition to parents — a neighbor, family friend, or relative who lives nearby. Authorized persons must present valid photo ID.
• Update your contact information at the start of every school year and immediately after any changes. If the school can't reach you, they'll go down the emergency contact list.
• Know the reunification site: Many schools designate an alternate reunification site (a nearby park, church, or community center) in case the school building is damaged. Ask your school where this is.
• Don't call the school repeatedly: Phone lines will be overwhelmed. Wait for the school's communication (often via automated text/email system) with instructions on when and where to pick up your child.
• If you can't get to the school: Your child will be supervised by school staff until an authorized person arrives. Schools prepare for this — they have food, water, and first aid supplies.

Talk to Your Children About School Emergencies

Children who understand the plan are calmer during the event. Explain:

• "If an earthquake happens while you're at school, your teacher will keep you safe. You'll do Drop, Cover, and Hold On just like we practice at home."
• "Mom, Dad, or [authorized person] will come get you, but it might take a while. The school will take care of you until we get there."
• "If they move you to a different place, like the park by the school, that's okay — they're just making sure everyone is safe."

Full guide to earthquake preparedness for schools

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Building a Family Emergency Kit

A family emergency kit should sustain every member of your household for a minimum of 72 hours (FEMA standard). Families in areas prone to large earthquakes (magnitude 7.0+) or in geographically isolated areas should prepare for 7 days.

Core Supplies

Item	Amount Per Person (72 Hours)	Notes
Water	1 gallon/day = 3 gallons	More in hot climates; store in food-grade containers
Food (non-perishable)	3 days' worth	Canned goods, protein bars, dried fruit, crackers, peanut butter
Manual can opener	1 per kit	Don't rely on electric openers
First aid kit	1 comprehensive kit	Include prescription medications (7-day supply minimum)
Flashlight	1 per person	LED with extra batteries, or hand-crank
NOAA weather radio	1 per kit	Battery-powered or hand-crank
Dust masks (N95)	2 per person	Post-earthquake air quality can be hazardous
Wrench/pliers	1 set	For utility shutoffs
Whistle	1 per person	To signal for help if trapped
Plastic sheeting + duct tape	1 roll each	Shelter-in-place supplies
Garbage bags + ties	1 box	Sanitation
Phone charger	1 portable battery per family	Pre-charged; car charger as backup
Cash (small bills)	$200 minimum	ATMs/cards won't work without power
Local maps	1 set	Don't rely on phone GPS
Important documents (copies)	1 set	IDs, insurance, bank info, in waterproof bag
Change of clothes	1 set per person	Including sturdy shoes
Blankets or sleeping bags	1 per person	Mylar emergency blankets as backup

Best earthquake emergency kits — our top picks reviewed

Infant and Baby Supplies (Add to Core Kit)

Item	Amount (72 Hours)	Notes
Formula or shelf-stable milk	3 days' supply	Even breastfeeding parents should have backup
Baby food	3 days' supply	Pouches are easier than jars during emergencies
Diapers	24–36	Minimum 8–12 per day for newborns
Wipes	1 full pack
Diaper cream	1 tube
Bottles	2–3	With caps and nipples
Pacifier	2	If used
Baby carrier (structured)	1	Frees hands during evacuation
Blanket	2	One swaddle, one warm
Infant medications	7-day supply	Tylenol, any prescribed medications

Elderly Family Member Supplies (Add to Core Kit)

Item	Amount	Notes
Prescription medications	7-day supply minimum	With a current medication list
Extra eyeglasses	1 pair	Or a written prescription
Hearing aid batteries	1 week's supply
Mobility aid (cane, walker)	Accessible	Stored near bed, not in closet
Medical device power backup	Battery pack or generator	CPAP, oxygen concentrator, etc.
Incontinence supplies	3 days' supply	If applicable
Denture supplies	3 days' worth	Adhesive, cleaning solution
Current medical records	1 copy	Diagnoses, allergies, doctor contacts
Medical alert bracelet/device	Worn daily	With conditions, medications, emergency contacts

Pet Supplies (Add to Core Kit)

Item	Amount (72 Hours)	Notes
Pet food	3 days' supply	In waterproof container
Water	1 quart/day per small pet; 1 gallon for large dogs
Medications	7-day supply
Copies of vaccination records	1 set	Required for emergency shelters
Carrier or crate	1 per pet	Cats and small dogs; practice using it
Leash and collar with ID tags	1 per pet	Include your out-of-area contact's number on the tag
Recent photo of pet	1 print + digital	For identification if separated
Litter and pan (cats)	3 days' supply	Disposable pan saves space
Comfort item	1	Favorite toy or blanket to reduce stress

Many public emergency shelters don't accept pets. However, FEMA-funded shelters must accommodate pets under the PETS Act of 2006. Know your local shelter policies in advance. Identify pet-friendly hotels along your evacuation route.

Complete guide to preparing your pets for an earthquake

Where to Store Your Kit

• At home: In a designated spot that every family member knows — a closet near the front door, the garage, or a ground-floor room that's easy to access.
• In each car: A smaller kit with water, food bars, flashlight, first aid, blanket, and walking shoes. If an earthquake strikes while you're away from home, your car kit sustains you.
• At work/school: Each working adult should keep a personal emergency kit at their desk with water, food, flashlight, walking shoes, and medications.

Kit Maintenance Schedule

Task	Frequency
Check water expiration and replace	Every 6 months
Check food expiration and rotate stock	Every 6 months
Test flashlights and replace batteries	Every 6 months
Update medication supply	Every 3 months
Update documents (IDs, insurance)	Annually
Check baby/child supplies for size/age appropriateness	Every 3 months
Review and update emergency contact cards	Every 6 months
Full kit inventory and refresh	Annually (tie to Great ShakeOut in October)

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Creating a Family Earthquake Plan: Step by Step

Step 1: Sit Down Together

Schedule a family meeting. Include everyone old enough to participate in a conversation (generally age 4+). Keep it brief — 30 minutes is enough. The goal is to create a plan everyone understands, not to frighten anyone.

Step 2: Discuss What Earthquakes Are

For young children: "Sometimes the ground shakes. It doesn't happen very often, and our house is strong. But we want to practice what to do so we're ready."

For older children and teens: Be factual. Discuss your area's earthquake risk using the USGS Seismic Hazard Maps. Avoid catastrophizing — focus on preparation, not destruction.

Step 3: Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On

Do it in every room. Time each person. Make it physical — actually get under tables and desks. For details on running a home drill, see our dedicated guide.

What to do during an earthquake — step by step

Step 4: Walk Through the Home Safety Audit

Tour the house together. Let children point out things that could fall. This builds awareness and gives them ownership of the process.

Key items to check: bookshelves anchored? Water heater strapped? Heavy items off high shelves? Cabinets latched? Gas valve accessible?

Step 5: Fill Out the Family Plan Template

Use the template below. Print it, fill it in together, and post it on the refrigerator. Put copies in each emergency kit and each car.

Family Earthquake Plan Template

Plan Element	Details
Out-of-area contact	Name: _____ Phone: _____ Relationship: _____
Meeting point 1 (near home)	Location: _____
Meeting point 2 (out of neighborhood)	Location: _____ Address: _____
Check-in method	Text "OK" to family group chat + out-of-area contact
School 1	Name: _____ Phone: _____ Reunification site: _____
School 2	Name: _____ Phone: _____ Reunification site: _____
Authorized school pickups	1. _____ 2. _____ 3. _____
Parent 1 workplace	Address: _____ Walk-home route: _____
Parent 2 workplace	Address: _____ Walk-home route: _____
Emergency kit location	Home: _____ Car 1: _____ Car 2: _____
Gas shutoff valve location	_____ (wrench location: _____)
Electrical panel location	_____
Water main location	_____
Doctor/pediatrician	Name: _____ Phone: _____
Nearest hospital	Name: _____ Address: _____
Veterinarian	Name: _____ Phone: _____
Insurance company	Phone: _____ Policy #: _____
Neighbor 1 (mutual aid)	Name: _____ Phone: _____
Neighbor 2 (mutual aid)	Name: _____ Phone: _____

Step 6: Assign Roles

Every family member old enough should have a specific job in the plan:

Role	Assigned To	What They Do
Grab emergency kit		Get the kit from its storage location
Grab go-bag		Personal bag with docs, meds, essentials
Check gas valve		Inspect for leaks; shut off only if leak detected
Check on younger children		Buddy system; help siblings to safe spots
Grab pet carrier + pet		Leash or crate the pet, bring pet supplies
Lead family to meeting point		Guide everyone to the near-home meeting spot
Contact out-of-area person		Send check-in text or call

Step 7: Practice Twice a Year

Your plan is only useful if everyone remembers it. Schedule two drills per year. The third Thursday of October (Great ShakeOut) is an ideal date for one of them. Schedule the second six months later.

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Special Situations

Single-Parent Households

If you're the sole adult in the household, your plan needs extra redundancy:

• Identify at least 2–3 trusted adults (neighbors, friends, relatives) who can pick up your children from school if you can't get there.
• Ensure your children know these people by sight and name.
• Give your school the authorized pickup list and update it regularly.
• Teach your oldest child (if age-appropriate) the full family plan, including utility shutoffs and the out-of-area contact.

Multi-Generational Households

If elderly parents or grandparents live with you:

• Assess their mobility. Can they Drop, Cover, and Hold On? If not, the adapted protocol is: sit down, bend forward, cover head and neck.
• Ensure medications, mobility aids, and medical devices are accessible — especially at night.
• If they sleep on an upper floor, consider moving them to a ground-floor bedroom for easier evacuation.
• Include their doctors, medications, and medical conditions on the family plan.

Families with Members Who Have Disabilities

• Create an individualized plan for each family member with a disability, in addition to the general family plan.
• Identify specific evacuation assistance needs — will someone need to be carried? Do they need a specialized wheelchair that works on stairs?
• Register with your local emergency management agency's special needs registry if available.
• Store backup medical equipment and supplies in the emergency kit.
• FEMA provides detailed guidance at Ready.gov — People with Disabilities.

Families Who Rent

Renters can still take most preparedness steps:

• You can anchor furniture to walls (use toggle bolts if you can't find studs; small holes are typically allowed under lease terms).
• You can install cabinet latches.
• You cannot modify the structure, but you can advocate: ask your landlord about the building's seismic status, especially if it was built before 1980.
• Renters earthquake insurance costs $100–$300/year and covers personal property and temporary housing. It's separate from your renters insurance.

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Sources

1. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "Earthquakes." Ready.gov — Earthquakes
2. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "Make a Plan." Ready.gov — Make a Plan
3. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "People with Disabilities." Ready.gov — People with Disabilities
4. American Red Cross. "Earthquake Safety." Red Cross — Earthquake Safety
5. American Red Cross. "Safe and Well." Red Cross — Safe and Well
6. United States Geological Survey (USGS). "Earthquake Hazards Program." USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
7. Earthquake Country Alliance. "Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety." Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety
8. California Earthquake Authority. CEA
9. PETS Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-308).
10. California Education Code §32282 — Comprehensive School Safety Plans.
11. FEMA. "Build a Kit." Ready.gov — Build a Kit

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