Earthquake Safety Tips: A Complete Guide to Protecting Yourself Before, During, and After an Earthquake

Key Takeaways

• Drop, Cover, and Hold On remains the single most effective action during an earthquake, endorsed by FEMA, the American Red Cross, and USGS.
• Preparation reduces casualties dramatically — FEMA estimates that households with an emergency plan and 72-hour kit are significantly more likely to recover quickly after a disaster.
• Secure your home before an earthquake strikes — anchoring heavy furniture, water heaters, and appliances costs $10–$200 per item and prevents the leading cause of non-structural earthquake injuries.
• Different building types demand different responses — what you do in a high-rise differs from a single-story home, a mobile home, or an older unreinforced masonry building.
• The first 72 hours after a major earthquake are critical — emergency services may be overwhelmed, so your preparedness determines your safety during that window.
• Practice makes the difference — households that rehearse earthquake drills respond 2–3 times faster than those relying on instinct alone.

Introduction

Earthquakes strike without warning. Unlike hurricanes or winter storms, there is no advance forecast, no evacuation order, no countdown clock. The 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquakes killed over 59,000 people. The 1994 Northridge earthquake in Los Angeles caused $20 billion in damage and 57 deaths — many from falling objects inside buildings, not structural collapse.

The difference between injury and safety often comes down to what you did in the weeks before the shaking started and the seconds after it began.

This guide covers earthquake safety in three phases: before, during, and after. Every recommendation comes from FEMA, the American Red Cross, USGS, or state emergency management agencies. No filler, no guesswork — just what works.

Before an Earthquake: Preparation That Saves Lives

Conduct a Home Safety Audit

Most earthquake injuries happen inside buildings — not from buildings collapsing, but from objects falling, glass shattering, and furniture toppling. FEMA's guidance is clear: secure your environment before an earthquake happens.

Walk through every room in your home and evaluate the following:

Furniture and Heavy Objects

• Anchor tall bookshelves, dressers, and entertainment centers to wall studs using L-brackets or furniture straps ($5–$15 each at hardware stores).
• Secure your water heater with earthquake straps. In California, this has been required by state law (California Health and Safety Code §19211) since 1995. A water heater strap kit costs $15–$30 and takes about 30 minutes to install.
• Move heavy objects from upper shelves to lower shelves. Items above head height become projectiles during shaking.
• Apply museum putty or earthquake gel to secure items on shelves and mantles. A pack costs $3–$8 and works on ceramics, glass, and electronics.

Compare top-rated earthquake straps and anchors

Kitchen Hazards

• Install child-proof latches on cabinets, particularly those containing glass, dishes, or heavy cookware. During the 1994 Northridge earthquake, broken glass and falling dishes caused numerous lacerations.
• Secure your refrigerator with an appliance strap if it sits on a smooth floor — refrigerators can slide several feet during strong shaking.

Utilities and Systems

• Know the location of your gas shutoff valve and keep a wrench accessible nearby. After the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, gas leaks caused fires that destroyed homes in San Francisco's Marina District.
• Learn how to shut off your electricity at the breaker panel and your water at the main valve.
• Consider installing an automatic gas shutoff valve ($100–$300 installed), which triggers at a specified level of shaking.

Structural Considerations

• If your home was built before 1980, it may not meet modern seismic codes. Consult a licensed structural engineer for an assessment. In California, the Earthquake Brace + Bolt program (Earthquake Brace + Bolt) offers grants up to $3,000 for seismic retrofits of older homes.
• Cripple wall bracing, foundation bolting, and soft-story retrofitting are the most common residential seismic upgrades.

Complete guide to earthquake-proofing your home

Home Safety Audit Checklist

Build an Emergency Kit

FEMA recommends every household maintain a minimum 72-hour emergency supply kit. After a major earthquake, utilities may be disrupted and emergency services may take days to reach your area.

Essential supplies per person:

• Water: 1 gallon per person per day for at least 3 days (FEMA minimum). A family of four needs 12 gallons minimum.
• Food: 3-day supply of non-perishable food — canned goods, protein bars, dried fruit, peanut butter. Don't forget a manual can opener.
• First aid kit: Adhesive bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, prescription medications (minimum 7-day supply), pain relievers.
• Flashlight and extra batteries, or a hand-crank flashlight.
• Battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio.
• Dust masks (N95 rated) to filter contaminated air from debris.
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape for sheltering in place.
• Wrench and pliers for turning off utilities.
• Local maps (don't rely on cell phone GPS — cell towers may be down).
• Phone charger: portable battery pack or car charger.

Best earthquake emergency kits reviewed

Often overlooked items:

• Copies of important documents (insurance policies, IDs, bank account info) in a waterproof bag.
• Cash in small bills — ATMs and card readers won't work without power.
• Sturdy shoes near your bed — broken glass on the floor is one of the most common post-earthquake hazards.
• Whistle to signal for help if trapped.
• Pet supplies if applicable: food, water, medications, carrier, leash.

Create an Emergency Communication Plan

Cell phone networks typically become overloaded within minutes of a significant earthquake. During the 2011 Virginia earthquake (felt across the eastern U.S.), voice call completion rates dropped below 10% in some areas.

Your family communication plan should include:

1. An out-of-area contact: Choose a friend or family member in a different state. It's often easier to complete a long-distance call than a local one after a disaster. Every family member should have this number memorized or written on a card in their wallet.
2. Meeting locations: Designate two meeting points — one near your home (like a neighbor's driveway) and one outside your neighborhood (like a school or community center).
3. Text instead of call: SMS uses less bandwidth than voice calls and is more likely to get through on an overloaded network. FEMA recommends texting as your first communication method after a disaster.
4. Register on Safe and Well: The American Red Cross's Safe and Well registry lets you post your status so family members can check on you.

How to build a complete earthquake emergency plan

Know Your Risk

Not all earthquake zones are equal. The USGS provides seismic hazard maps that show the probability of shaking in your area over the next 50 years. You can check your specific risk at the USGS Seismic Hazard Maps page.

Key risk factors include:

• Proximity to active faults: The San Andreas Fault, New Madrid Seismic Zone, Cascadia Subduction Zone, and Wasatch Front are among the most significant in the U.S.
• Soil type: Soft soils and fill amplify shaking. USGS research after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake showed that areas built on fill experienced shaking intensity 2–3 times greater than areas on bedrock.
• Building age and construction: Unreinforced masonry buildings (common in the eastern U.S. and older parts of western cities) are among the most vulnerable structures.

During an Earthquake: What to Do When the Ground Shakes

The ground shaking in a damaging earthquake typically lasts 10–30 seconds — rarely more than a minute. Your response in those seconds determines your outcome.

The Standard Response: Drop, Cover, and Hold On

FEMA, the American Red Cross, USGS, and the Earthquake Country Alliance all endorse the same protocol:

1. DROP to your hands and knees. This position prevents you from being knocked down and allows you to crawl to shelter.
2. COVER your head and neck with your arms. Crawl under a sturdy desk or table if one is within a few steps.
3. HOLD ON to your shelter and be prepared to move with it. If you're not under furniture, stay against an interior wall and protect your head and neck.

This protocol is endorsed because the majority of earthquake injuries and deaths in the United States result from falling objects — ceiling tiles, light fixtures, glass, bookshelves — not building collapse.

Detailed guide: what to do during an earthquake

Common Myths to Ignore

"Stand in a doorway" — This advice dates from observations of old adobe homes where the door frame was the strongest part of the structure. In modern buildings, doorways are no stronger than any other part of the structure, and standing in one exposes you to a swinging door and falling objects. FEMA explicitly advises against this.

"Run outside" — Running during shaking is dangerous. Falling debris from building facades, signs, power lines, and trees poses a greater threat outside than falling objects inside. The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services recommends staying indoors until shaking stops.

"The Triangle of Life" — This widely shared internet theory advises lying in the fetal position next to large objects. It has been repeatedly debunked by FEMA, the American Red Cross, and earthquake engineers. In U.S.-style buildings, Drop, Cover, and Hold On remains the safest response.

Situational Responses

Different locations require adapted responses:

If you're in bed: Stay there. Turn face down and cover your head and neck with your pillow. Getting up to run increases your risk of injury from broken glass and falling objects.

If you're in a high-rise (above the 2nd floor): Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Do not use elevators. Move away from windows. Upper floors sway more than lower floors, and falling glass from high-rises is a significant exterior hazard. After shaking stops, check for structural damage before using stairwells.

If you're in an older unreinforced masonry building: The risk of partial collapse is real. Drop, Cover, and Hold On under sturdy furniture. After shaking stops, exit the building immediately and move away — aftershocks can bring down weakened masonry.

If you're in a mobile home/manufactured housing: Mobile homes are particularly vulnerable because they can shift off their foundations. Drop, Cover, and Hold On. If possible, get under a table. After shaking stops, exit immediately and inspect the foundation and utility connections before re-entering.

If you're outdoors: Move to an open area away from buildings, power lines, trees, and streetlights. Drop to the ground and protect your head. Stay clear of building facades — falling glass and debris extend outward from buildings.

If you're driving: Pull over to the side of the road as soon as safely possible. Avoid stopping under overpasses, bridges, power lines, or near buildings. Set your parking brake. Stay inside the vehicle — it provides reasonable protection from falling debris. After the shaking stops, proceed cautiously and watch for road damage, fallen debris, and downed power lines.

If you're near the coast: Shaking itself is a natural tsunami warning. After shaking stops, move immediately to higher ground or at least a mile inland. Do not wait for an official warning. The 2011 Japan tsunami arrived in some coastal areas within 10 minutes of the earthquake.

During an Earthquake: Quick Reference by Location

After an Earthquake: The Critical First Hours

Immediate Actions (First 5 Minutes)

1. Expect aftershocks. Aftershocks can be nearly as strong as the main shock. The 2011 Christchurch, New Zealand, earthquake (magnitude 6.2) was itself an aftershock of a magnitude 7.1 event five months earlier. Drop, Cover, and Hold On during each aftershock.

2. Check yourself for injuries. Provide first aid to yourself before helping others — you can't assist anyone if you're incapacitated.

3. Check for hazards:

   • Gas leaks: If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, open windows, leave the building immediately, and call 911 from outside. Do not use light switches, matches, or any electrical devices — sparks can ignite gas.
   • Fire: If small and manageable, extinguish it. If not, evacuate.
   • Structural damage: If you see cracks in walls, sagging ceilings, or shifted foundations, evacuate the building. Do not re-enter until a licensed inspector has assessed it.
   • Electrical hazards: If you see sparks or damaged wiring, shut off electricity at the main breaker if safe to do so.
   • Spilled chemicals: Ventilate the area and evacuate if fumes are present.

4. Put on sturdy shoes. Broken glass is everywhere after a significant earthquake.

Short-Term Actions (First 72 Hours)

• Conserve water. Fill bathtubs and sinks with water for sanitation use if the water supply is still flowing — it may be shut off soon.
• Use your emergency kit supplies. This is exactly what you prepared them for.
• Monitor official information. Use a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio. Local emergency management will broadcast updates on the National Emergency Alert System.
• Do not re-enter damaged buildings. Aftershocks can cause already-weakened structures to collapse.
• Document damage. Take photographs of all damage for insurance claims before cleanup.
• Check on neighbors, particularly elderly residents, people with disabilities, and families with young children.

Returning Home After Evacuation

If you evacuated your home, do not return until local authorities declare it safe. When you do return:

• Inspect the exterior before entering. Look for foundation cracks, chimney damage, and shifted walls.
• Enter cautiously. Use a flashlight — do not turn on light switches until you've confirmed there are no gas leaks.
• Check food safety. Discard any food that was in a refrigerator without power for more than 4 hours or in a freezer without power for more than 48 hours (USDA guidelines).
• Have your chimney inspected by a professional before using it — undetected cracks can cause house fires.

Post-Earthquake Checklist

Workplace Earthquake Safety

Employers in earthquake-prone regions have both legal and practical responsibilities for worker safety. OSHA's General Duty Clause requires employers to provide a workplace free of recognized hazards, and earthquakes qualify in seismically active areas.

Employer Responsibilities

• Conduct annual earthquake drills. California Government Code §8607 requires emergency plans for all state agencies, and most large employers in seismic zones maintain similar policies.
• Secure office equipment: file cabinets, monitors, shelving units, heavy equipment.
• Maintain emergency supplies for employees — FEMA recommends a minimum of 1 gallon of water and food for 24 hours per employee.
• Post evacuation routes and assembly points.
• Designate and train floor wardens for each level of the building.

Employee Best Practices

• Know your building's evacuation plan and assembly point before an earthquake.
• Identify the safest spots near your workspace — sturdy desks, interior walls away from windows.
• Keep comfortable walking shoes at your desk. You may need to walk home if transportation is disrupted.
• Keep a personal emergency kit at your desk: water, snack bars, flashlight, dust mask, phone charger, any prescription medications.

School Earthquake Safety

Schools in seismically active states conduct earthquake drills regularly. California Education Code §32282 requires schools to include earthquake procedures in their comprehensive safety plans.

For parents, the key actions are:

• Know your school's earthquake protocol and reunification plan. Schools will not release children during or immediately after an earthquake — they will shelter in place and follow a controlled parent-student reunification process.
• Ensure the school has your current emergency contact information and authorized pickup persons.
• Talk to your children about what happens during an earthquake drill at school and reinforce the Drop, Cover, and Hold On response at home.

Earthquake preparedness guide for schools

Special Considerations

People with Disabilities or Access Needs

FEMA's guidance for people with disabilities includes:

• Create a personal support network — identify neighbors, coworkers, or friends who can assist you after an earthquake.
• If you use a wheelchair, lock the wheels and protect your head during shaking. If possible, shelter under a sturdy table.
• If you use a power wheelchair or depend on electrical medical equipment, have a backup power source (battery pack or generator).
• Keep extra supplies of medications, hearing aid batteries, oxygen, and any specialized equipment.
• Register with your local fire department or emergency management office for special needs assistance. Many jurisdictions maintain a voluntary registry.

Older Adults

• Secure mobility aids (walkers, canes) near your bed where you can reach them in the dark.
• If you have difficulty getting to the floor, brace in a seated position and cover your head and neck rather than attempting to drop.
• Maintain a medication list with dosages in your emergency kit.
• Consider a medical alert device with fall detection.

Pets

• Microchip and tag your pets. After a disaster, pets often become separated from their owners.
• Include pet food, water, medications, and a carrier or leash in your emergency kit.
• Know your local emergency shelter policies — many public shelters do not accept pets, but FEMA-funded shelters are required to accommodate them under the PETS Act of 2006.

Complete guide to earthquake preparedness for pets

Earthquake Insurance: What You Need to Know

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover earthquake damage. If you live in a seismically active area, earthquake insurance is a separate policy.

• In California, the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) is the largest provider. CEA policies have deductibles of 5%–25% of the dwelling coverage amount.
• Typical annual premiums range from $800 to $5,000+ depending on home value, construction type, foundation, proximity to faults, and deductible selected.
• Earthquake insurance covers structural damage, personal property, and loss of use (temporary living expenses).
• Renters can also purchase earthquake insurance, typically at lower premiums.

Evaluate your financial exposure: could you pay for repairs or replacement out of pocket? If not, earthquake insurance is worth considering.

Sources

1. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "Earthquakes." Ready.gov — Earthquakes
2. American Red Cross. "Earthquake Safety." Red Cross — Earthquake Safety
3. United States Geological Survey (USGS). "Earthquake Hazards Program." USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
4. Earthquake Country Alliance. "Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety." Earthquake Country Alliance — Seven Steps
5. California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). "Earthquake Preparedness." Cal OES
6. California Earthquake Authority. "CEA Earthquake Insurance." CEA
7. USGS. "Earthquake Early Warning." ShakeAlert
8. FEMA. "Earthquake Safety Checklist." FEMA Publication 526.
9. Earthquake Brace + Bolt Program. EBB Program
10. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). "Food Safety During Power Outages." USDA Food Safety