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STAY SAFE DURING AN EARTHQUAKE
We're here to help protect you before, during and after a natural disaster.
Here's a quick view of what to do before a natural disaster hits.
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Step 1 of 4 Create an evacuation plan.
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Step 2 of 4 Grab your survival kit.
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Step 3 of 4 Gather important documents.
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Step 4 of 4 Photograph your property.
Stay informed and help protect your family, pets and belongings.
Sign up and listen to emergency alerts. NOAA Weather Radio or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions, and stay aware of the latest news and updates from your local media and fire department.
Review your family, home and pet evacuation plans
Be ready to react.
Remember the phrase, "drop, cover and hold on," to reduce your chance of injury. Check the batteries in your weather radio. It's your best chance to stay safe since there is little warning of approaching earthquakes.
Learn about more ways to be ready
Know what to do outside.
Stay outside. Crawl toward open space if you can. Stay away from building exteriors, overhead power lines and trees. Stay there until the shaking stops.
Learn what to do outside
Know what to do inside.
Don't go outside or try to move more than 5 to 7 feet before getting on the ground.
Learn what to do inside
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Know what to do outside.
- If you're in a moving vehicle, stop when it's safe to do so. Move your vehicle to the shoulder or curb, away from utility poles, overhead wires, and underpasses or overpasses. Stay in the vehicle, keep your seatbelt on, set the parking brake and turn on your hazard warning lights for visibility. Turn on the radio for emergency broadcast information. If a power line falls on the vehicle, stay inside until a trained person removes the wire.
- If you're near the shore, and you feel a strong or long-lasting earthquake, or the water suddenly recedes from the beach, tsunami waves may arrive within minutes. As soon as it's safe to move, immediately go to higher ground or inland away from the coast.
- If you're in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be aware of falling rocks, debris and landslides.
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Be ready to react.
- Drop to your hands and knees before the earthquake knocks you down. This position protects you from falling but allows you to move if necessary.
- Cover your head, neck and your entire body under a shelter like a sturdy table or desk, if possible.
- Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if the shaking shifts it around.
- Put a sturdy pair of shoes and a flashlight in a bag. Store it in a safe place with easy access. This can help make your shoes readily available so you can protect yourself from broken glass, one of the most common earthquake injuries.
- Should you become trapped by debris, be loud. Try to send a text, bang on a pipe or wall or use a whistle instead of shouting. Cover your mouth with a cloth or mask to avoid breathing dust.
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Know what to do inside.
- Don't stand in a doorway. You're safer under a table. In modern houses, doorways are no stronger than any other part of the house. The doorway doesn't protect you from the most likely source of injury. Most earthquake-related injuries and deaths are caused by falling or flying objects (for example, TVs, lamps, glass or bookcases) or by being knocked to the ground.
- Avoid exterior walls, windows, hanging objects, mirrors, tall furniture, large appliances and kitchen cabinets with heavy objects or glass. The area near the exterior walls of a building is the most dangerous place. Windows, facades and architectural details are often the first parts of the building to break away.
- If you're seated but can't drop to the floor, bend forward, cover your head with your arms, and hold on to your neck with both hands.
- If you're in bed, stay there. Lie face down to protect vital organs. You are less likely to be injured by fallen and broken objects by staying where you are.
- In a high-rise building, expect the fire alarms and sprinklers to go off during an earthquake.
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Take steps to protect your personal safety.
- Locate an open shelter if you have evacuated.
- If in a vehicle, after the shaking has stopped, drive on carefully. If a power line falls on the vehicle, stay inside until a trained person removes the wire.
- Avoid bridges and ramps that may have been damaged. Watch for hazards, such as breaks in the pavement, downed utility poles and wires, rising water levels, fallen overpasses and collapsed bridges. Report them immediately to a power company.
- Extinguish small fires. Fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake.
- Open closet and cabinet doors carefully as contents may have shifted.
- Protect yourself from harmful bacteria, airborne inhalation hazards and electrical hazards. Wear proper protective clothing such as rubber boots, respiratory protection, rubber gloves, goggles and head cover.
- Use antibiotic ointment for abrasions or cuts and cover them up as best you can to avoid infections.
- Communicate wisely by sending text messages or using social media to reach out to family and friends. Phone systems are often busy following a disaster.
- Use caution when entering your home and avoid bringing your children and pets until you're able to inspect your property.
- Recovering from an earthquake can be extremely stressful. These tips can help you and your loved ones know what to look for and find ways to cope.
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Inspect your property and assess the damage.
- The earthquake may have damaged your roof enough to allow water to enter your home. Although not typically covered by insurance, consider hiring a licensed contractor to inspect your roof for damage.
- Protect your property from further damage by covering roof openings, broken windows or doors with tarps or plywood, and save receipts for what you spend for reimbursement consideration.