Earthquake Preparedness

Secure your home, build a kit, and know what to do during and after a quake.

Secure Your Home

• Strap water heater to wall studs with metal straps (top and bottom)
• Anchor tall furniture (bookcases, dressers, china cabinets) to wall studs
• Install latches on cabinets to prevent contents from flying out
• Move heavy items to lower shelves — nothing heavy above bed level
• Use museum putty or earthquake gel under fragile decor
• Secure flat-screen TVs with safety straps
• Hang pictures and mirrors with closed hooks, not open ones
• Know where your gas shut-off valve is and keep a wrench attached or nearby
• Consider a seismic gas shut-off valve (auto-trips on shaking)

Build the Kit

• Sturdy shoes and a flashlight under every bed (broken glass injuries are #1)
• At least 3 days of water — 1 gallon per person per day; aim for 2 weeks
• Non-perishable food for 2 weeks; rotate every 6 months
• First-aid kit, prescription meds (rotate), N95 masks for dust
• Battery or hand-crank radio + extra batteries
• Whistle, work gloves, dust mask, plastic sheeting, duct tape
• Cash in small bills — ATMs and card readers go down
• Copies of IDs, insurance, deed in a waterproof bag

Plan

• Sign up for ShakeAlert or your region's early-warning system
• Pick an out-of-state contact everyone in the family will text after the quake
• Pick two family meeting spots — one near home, one outside the neighborhood
• Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On with kids twice a year

During a Quake

• DROP to hands and knees before the quake drops you
• COVER head and neck under a sturdy desk or table; if none, against an interior wall
• HOLD ON to your shelter and protect head/neck until shaking stops
• Stay indoors — most injuries come from running in/out during shaking
• In bed? Stay there, cover head with pillow
• Driving? Pull over away from overpasses, power lines, signs. Stay in the car.

After the Shaking Stops

• Expect aftershocks — they can be nearly as strong
• Put on sturdy shoes before walking anywhere
• Check for gas smell — if you smell gas, shut off main valve and leave; do not flip switches
• Check for injuries; give first aid before moving the seriously injured
• Text instead of calling — voice networks overload
• Do not flush toilets until you confirm sewer lines are intact
• Inspect chimney from a distance before lighting a fire