Earthquake Preparedness Guide

Earthquake Preparedness Guide

Earthquakes can strike without warning, at any hour, in any season. Unlike hurricanes or tornadoes, there is no forecast, no countdown, and no evacuation order. What you do in the days and weeks before an earthquake determines how well you and your family survive and recover. This guide covers the three pillars of earthquake readiness in depth: securing your home, building a comprehensive emergency kit, and knowing exactly what to do when the ground starts shaking.

Securing Your Home

The majority of earthquake-related injuries and deaths are caused not by the ground movement itself, but by what falls, collapses, or breaks as a result. Furniture tips over, shelves empty, glass shatters, and gas lines rupture. A few targeted hours of preparation can dramatically reduce these risks for your household.

Anchor Heavy Furniture and Appliances

Unsecured furniture is one of the leading causes of earthquake injury. Tall, heavy items like bookshelves, dressers, armoires, and filing cabinets can topple with even moderate shaking.

• Use L-brackets or furniture anti-tip straps to bolt bookshelves, dressers, and cabinets directly into wall studs. Drywall anchors alone are not sufficient for heavy items.
• Secure your water heater with seismic straps rated for its weight. An unsecured water heater can rupture gas lines and cause fires.
• Strap your refrigerator to the wall to prevent it from sliding or tipping and blocking exits.
• Use museum putty, earthquake wax, or hook-and-loop fasteners to anchor lamps, TVs, monitors, and decorative items on shelves and mantels.
• Install latches on cabinet doors so contents don't spill out during shaking. This is especially important in kitchens where glass and heavy cookware are stored.
• Secure large mirrors and framed artwork with closed hooks and picture wire rather than single nail hangers.

Identify and Fix Structural Risks

Some homes, particularly older ones, have structural vulnerabilities that make them significantly more dangerous during an earthquake. Identifying and addressing these before a quake is one of the highest-impact things you can do.

• Have your home inspected by a licensed structural engineer, especially if it was built before 1980. Older construction often lacks modern seismic reinforcement.
• Soft-story buildings (multi-unit structures with open ground floors like garages or retail spaces) are particularly vulnerable to collapse. Retrofit programs exist in many cities to address this.
• Cripple walls (short wood-framed walls between the foundation and first floor) can be reinforced with plywood sheathing to prevent collapse.
• Ensure your home is properly bolted to its foundation. Many older homes simply rest on their foundations without anchor bolts.
• Have an automatic seismic gas shutoff valve installed on your main gas line. These devices detect shaking and shut off gas flow automatically, preventing fires and explosions.
• Check chimneys for cracks or deterioration. Unreinforced masonry chimneys are among the most common sources of earthquake damage and injury.

Organize Your Space for Safety

Beyond structural fixes, how you organize your living space can significantly affect your safety during and after a quake.

• Store heavy items on lower shelves. Reserve upper shelves for lightweight, non-breakable items.
• Keep pathways to all exits clear at all times. In the dark and chaos following a quake, you need to be able to move quickly without tripping.
• Know the location of all utility shutoffs: gas meter (requires a wrench), water main, and electrical panel. Post instructions near each one if other household members are unfamiliar with them.
• Keep a pair of sturdy shoes and a flashlight under your bed. Broken glass on the floor is a common post-earthquake hazard.
• Identify the safest spots in each room: under a sturdy desk or table, or against an interior wall away from windows. Practice getting there quickly.
• Identify the most dangerous spots in each room: near windows, tall unsecured furniture, or hanging light fixtures. Avoid these during shaking.
• Store flammable liquids like paint, solvents, and gasoline in a secure outdoor location away from ignition sources.

Emergency Kits

When an earthquake strikes, infrastructure can fail quickly. Roads may be impassable, stores may be closed or emptied, and utilities including water, power, and gas may be out for days or weeks. Your emergency kit is your bridge between the moment of impact and the restoration of normal services. It should be comprehensive, organized, and regularly maintained.

Water Storage

Water is your most critical resource. Municipal water systems can be contaminated or shut down after a major earthquake.

• Store a minimum of 1 gallon of water per person per day. A 3-day supply is the bare minimum; a 2-week supply is strongly recommended.
• Use food-grade water storage containers. Rotate your supply every 6 to 12 months.
• Consider a high-capacity water storage barrel (30 to 55 gallons) for your home in addition to portable containers.
• Keep water purification tablets, a portable water filter (such as a Sawyer or LifeStraw), and a backup method like boiling capability in your kit.
• Don't forget water for pets. A medium-sized dog needs roughly half a gallon per day.

Food Supply

Your food supply should require little to no cooking, have a long shelf life, and provide adequate calories for physical and emotional stress.

• Stock non-perishable, calorie-dense foods: freeze-dried meals, canned goods, peanut butter, nuts, dried fruit, crackers, and energy bars.
• Aim for at least 2,000 calories per adult per day. Physical stress and anxiety increase caloric needs.
• Include a manual can opener. Electric openers are useless without power.
• Account for dietary restrictions, allergies, and preferences. Stress is not the time to discover you hate the only food available.
• Store comfort foods and familiar items, especially if you have children. Morale matters in a crisis.
• Rotate your food supply every 6 to 12 months, using and replacing items before they expire.

First Aid and Medical Supplies

Emergency services may be overwhelmed or unavailable for hours or days after a major earthquake. You need to be able to treat injuries yourself.

• Stock a comprehensive first aid kit including bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, and blister treatment.
• Include a tourniquet (such as a CAT tourniquet) and hemostatic gauze for serious bleeding.
• Keep a 30-day supply of all prescription medications. Rotate regularly to maintain freshness.
• Include over-the-counter medications: pain relievers, antidiarrheal medication, antacids, and antihistamines.
• Add a first aid manual or laminated quick-reference cards. Under stress, even trained individuals benefit from written guidance.
• Include any specialized medical equipment your household needs: extra glasses, hearing aid batteries, insulin supplies, EpiPens, etc.

Tools and Safety Equipment

• Flashlights with extra batteries, or hand-crank and solar-powered alternatives. One per person is ideal.
• Battery-powered or hand-crank emergency radio for receiving NOAA weather alerts and official emergency broadcasts.
• A multi-tool or Swiss Army knife for general utility tasks.
• A gas shutoff wrench stored near your meter (if you don't have an automatic shutoff valve).
• Heavy-duty work gloves for handling debris.
• Dust masks or N95 respirators to protect against concrete dust, ash, and airborne particles.
• A fire extinguisher rated for ABC fires, mounted and accessible in your kitchen and garage.
• Duct tape, plastic sheeting, and zip ties for emergency repairs and shelter-in-place situations.
• A whistle to signal for help if you are trapped.

Documents and Financial Preparedness

• Store copies of critical documents in a waterproof bag or container: government-issued ID, passports, insurance policies, medical records, prescriptions, property deeds, and financial account information.
• Back up digital copies to a secure cloud service and an encrypted USB drive stored offsite.
• Keep cash in small bills. ATMs and card readers may be offline for days after a major disaster.
• Know your insurance policy details, including your agent's contact information and your policy numbers.

Sanitation and Hygiene

• Toilet paper, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer.
• A portable camp toilet or heavy-duty waste bags with a toilet seat adapter if sewage lines are compromised.
• Feminine hygiene products.
• Soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and basic personal care items.
• Garbage bags for waste management.

Clothing and Shelter

• One complete change of warm, durable clothing per person, including sturdy closed-toe shoes.
• Emergency Mylar blankets (one per person minimum) for heat retention.
• A sleeping bag rated for your local climate if shelter loss is a possibility.
• Rain gear or ponchos.

Go-Bag (72-Hour Grab-and-Go Kit)

Your go-bag is a pre-packed backpack or duffel containing the most critical supplies from the categories above. It lives near your primary exit and is ready to grab in under 60 seconds if you need to evacuate immediately. Prioritize portability and weight. Each adult should have their own. Include a smaller version for children with age-appropriate items.

Vehicle Kit

You may be away from home when an earthquake strikes. Keep a basic emergency kit in your vehicle at all times.

• Water (at least one gallon) and non-perishable snacks.
• A first aid kit and emergency blanket.
• Jumper cables, road flares, and a basic tool kit.
• Gloves and a change of clothes.
• A paper map of your region. Do not rely solely on GPS, which may be unavailable after a disaster.
• A phone charger and a portable battery bank.

Immediate Response Steps

When an earthquake hits, you have seconds to react. The decisions you make in those first moments can determine whether you walk away uninjured. Rehearse these steps with your household so they become instinct.

During the Earthquake: Drop, Cover, Hold On

This is the universally recommended protocol from seismic safety experts and emergency management agencies.

1. DROP to your hands and knees immediately. This protects you from being knocked down and allows you to move if needed.
2. COVER your head and neck with your arms. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, get under it. If not, move to an interior wall away from windows and cover your head. Stay away from exterior walls, windows, and anything that could fall on you.
3. HOLD ON to your shelter and be prepared to move with it. Stay in position until the shaking completely stops. Do not run for an exit during shaking. The majority of injuries occur when people try to move or run and are struck by falling objects.

Common myths to ignore: standing in a doorway offers no special protection in modern buildings and is actually dangerous. Running outside during shaking puts you at risk from falling facade pieces, glass, and debris.

If You're in Bed

• Stay in bed and protect your head and neck with your pillow.
• Only move if you are directly under a heavy light fixture that could fall.

If You're Outdoors

• Move away from buildings, streetlights, utility poles, and overhead wires immediately.
• Once in the open, drop to the ground and stay there until shaking stops.
• Be aware of falling debris from nearby structures even after you've moved away.

If You're in a Vehicle

• Pull over safely and away from buildings, trees, overpasses, and power lines.
• Stay inside the vehicle with your seatbelt fastened until shaking stops.
• After shaking stops, proceed carefully, watching for road damage, downed power lines, and bridge or overpass damage.
• Avoid driving over bridges or overpasses until they have been inspected.

If You're in a Crowded Public Space

• Do not rush for exits. Stampedes cause injuries.
• Drop, cover, and hold on in place.
• Move away from display shelves, glass cases, and hanging fixtures.
• Follow instructions from staff or emergency personnel once shaking stops.

After the Shaking Stops

The immediate post-earthquake period is critical. Stay calm, move methodically, and prioritize safety over speed.

1. Check yourself for injuries before helping others. You cannot help anyone if you are incapacitated.
2. Check others for injuries. Apply first aid as needed. Do not move anyone with a suspected spinal injury unless they are in immediate danger.
3. Check for hazards before moving through your space. Look for gas leaks (hissing sounds or the smell of rotten eggs), fires, structural damage, downed power lines, and broken glass.
4. Shut off the gas only if you smell a leak or hear hissing. Use a wrench on the shutoff valve at your meter. Do not use any open flames or electrical switches if you suspect a gas leak. Once shut off, do not turn the gas back on yourself. Contact your utility company.
5. Check for fires and extinguish small ones if it is safe to do so. Fires are one of the most common and deadly secondary effects of earthquakes.
6. Evacuate if the structure is unsafe. Use stairs only, never elevators. Watch for falling debris as you exit.
7. Stay away from damaged areas. Do not enter damaged buildings. Do not approach downed power lines.
8. Tune into emergency broadcasts via your battery-powered radio for official instructions, shelter locations, and road closures.
9. Expect aftershocks. They can occur within minutes, hours, or days of the main quake and can be strong enough to cause additional damage. Drop, cover, and hold on each time.
10. Text rather than call. Voice calls congest networks rapidly after a disaster. Text messages get through more reliably. Use social media check-in features to let family know you are safe.
11. Document damage with photos and video before making any repairs. This is essential for insurance claims.
12. Do not use tap water until authorities confirm it is safe. Water lines may be contaminated or broken.

Reunification Plan

Establish a household reunification plan before a disaster occurs. Designate an out-of-state contact that all family members can check in with, since local lines are often congested while long-distance calls go through. Choose two meeting points: one near your home and one outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home. Make sure every family member, including children, knows the plan.

Final Thoughts

Preparedness isn't about fear. It's about confidence. When you've secured your home, stocked your kit, and rehearsed your response, you're not just protecting yourself. You're protecting everyone around you. The time to prepare is now, before the ground moves.

Prep Starts Now.

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