How to prepare for an earthquake

The United States Geological Survey estimates that around the globe, there are an average of 15 major earthquakes (magnitude of 7 to 7.9) – and one giant earthquake (magnitude of 8 or above) – each year.¹ We can’t predict when a quake will occur, but with preparation, you can help protect your family and your home.

What to do before an earthquake

Create an emergency supply kit

Supplies are a critical part of emergency preparation, but earthquakes don’t allow time to stock up like other natural disasters do. Hurricanes, for example, appear on radar days before they make landfall. Earthquakes happen with little or no warning, so keeping an emergency supply kit ready at all times is essential. Here are some items to include in your kit:

• Water
• Non-perishable food
• Flashlight
• Heavy-duty gloves
• First-aid supplies
• Personal care products (tampons, soap, etc.)
• Digital copies of important documents (birth certificate, social security card, etc.)²

How to secure your home

Structures built to meet or exceed common building codes may better withstand an earthquake. Talk to an architect, engineer or building contractor about:

• Adding anchor bolts or steel plates between your home and foundation.
• Bracing your home’s cripple wall with sheathing.
• Bracing loose chimneys, masonry, concrete walls and foundations.³
• Securely fastening furniture like shelves or TV stands to walls.
• Mitigate fire risks by ensuring your home’s electrical wiring and gas connections are in good condition and your water heater is secured to the floor and wall.
• Keep heavy objects like light fixtures, picture frames and mirrors away from places where people often sit or lie down.
• Have a professional inspect any structural issues like cracks in your foundation.
• Keep fragile objects made of materials like glass or ceramic securely contained to minimize shrapnel risks.⁴

Preparing for an earthquake

Some suggestions for preparing for an earthquake:

• Having a disaster plan so your family knows where to gather in an emergency.
• Placing flashlights and fresh batteries around the house in case you lose power.
• Instructing adult and teen family members how to turn off electrical or gas feeds.
• Investing in a battery-operated or hand-crank radio to monitor emergency announcements.
• Anchoring large items, such as appliances or bookcases, to walls with safety cables or straps.
• Locking the rollers of large appliances or furniture.
• Installing ledge barriers on shelves to keep objects from rolling off.
• Placing heavy items on lower shelves.
• Putting safety film on windows and glass doors to minimize shattering.
• Fitting gas appliances with flexible connections or a breakaway shut-off device. Check local building codes to see whether the shut-off must be installed by a professional.³

What to do during an earthquake

Some suggestions for what to do during an earthquake include:

• If you're indoors, stay there unless there’s a clear danger indoors that prevents this.
• Get down on your hands and knees. The earthquake may knock you down, causing an injury, but being on your hands and knees still allows you to move, if needed.
• Move away from windows, skylights, doors and objects that could fall.
• Gather your family for a head count.
• Shut off all utilities.
• Find a sturdy piece of furniture, like a heavy table or solid desk, to shelter beneath. If there’s nothing like that nearby, get down by an interior wall or by low-lying sturdy furniture that will not fall on you; cover your head and neck with a pillow or your arms and hands. Stay there until the shaking stops
• Be aware that sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.
• Don't use elevators.
• If you're outside, move quickly and safely into the open – away from electrical lines, trees, and buildings. Drop to the ground and wait for the shaking to stop.
• If you're driving, slowly pull to the side of the road away from traffic and stop.
• Don't stop on or under bridges, under power lines or near roadway signs that might fall. Once the shaking has stopped, drive carefully and look for debris in the road.⁵
• More tips are available on the CDC website.

What to do after an earthquake

You still may be in danger once the shaking stops. In the aftermath of an earthquake, buildings may collapse. There can also be landslides, floods, and fires.

If you're trapped under debris

• Try to protect your mouth, nose, and eyes from the debris particles/dust.
• Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can find you. If you yell, you may inhale dust or airborne debris.
• Don't light a match or lighter or turn on light switches as there could be a gas leak and a flame or a spark from the light switch could ignite the gas and lead to an explosion.⁶

If you're in your home

• Be prepared for aftershocks.
• Move around the house only if you see that it is structurally sound. Otherwise, quickly and carefully move your family outside to safety.
• Check for gas or water leaks and electrical shorts. Don’t turn utilities back on until a professional has inspected them.⁶
• When it’s safe, assess and document damage. Then contact your insurance company or agent.

Related Resources

FEMA | IBHS | American Red Cross | National Weather Service

[1] “Why are we having so many earthquakes? Has naturally occurring earthquake activity been increasing? Does this mean a big one is going to hit? OR We haven't had any earthquakes in a long time; does this mean that the pressure is building up for a big one?” usgs.gov/faqs/why-are-we-having-so-many-earthquakes-has-naturally-occurring-earthquake-activity-been (Accessed March 2024)
[2] “Earthquakes happen all over the world. Here's how to start preparing for one,” npr.org/2023/02/08/1155371910/earthquake-safety-tips-preparedness (Accessed March 2024)
[3] “Protect your home against earthquake damage,” co.st-clair.il.us/webdocuments/departments/ema/Earthquake/Earthquake%20Damage.pdf (Accessed March 2024)
[4] “How to Prepare for an Earthquake,” calacademy.org/explore-science/how-to-prepare-for-an-earthquake (Accessed March 2024)
[5] “Stay Safe During an Earthquake,” cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes/during.html (Accessed March 2024)
[6] “Stay Safe After an Earthquake,” cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes/after.html (Accessed March 2024)