How to Prepare for an Earthquake: A Complete Family Safety Guide

This article has been completely rewritten with new data and research-based earthquake survival tips. June, 2026.

A friend of mine was in the Northridge earthquake in 1994 and told me her story. She was asleep when her apartment collapsed around her and crawled out of the wreckage in her nightgown, barefoot, her feet bleeding from broken glass. She met her neighbors in the street. Most of them were cut and bleeding, some of them missing, and a few of them dead. It was a long time until dawn, and with the entire area not yet taking in what had just happened, help was many hours away.

That story has stayed with me for thirty years. Not because it’s dramatic, disasters happen around the world every day, but because she had no warning. She had never thought to have a plan or any supplies to help her out. She was just asleep one minute and in the middle of a disaster the next. Unlike other disasters, earthquakes don’t announce themselves or give you much time to prepare, and that’s the whole point of preparing for them now, before the ground starts shaking.Photo by Jose Antonio Gallego Vázquezon Unsplash

Two Types Of Earthquakes To Know About

Not all earthquakes feel or behave the same way, and understanding the difference can help you know how to respond in a way to help ensure your family’s safety.

The first type involves rapid, violent shaking, probably what you think of when you think “earthquake”. This is the kind that rattles everything in the house, knocks everything off shelves, and can crack foundations or even ove entire buildings. The shaking may last only seconds, but the damage can be enormous.

The second type involves a rolling, wave-like movement — a slow, undulating motion where the ground itself seems to move in waves beneath you. Picture what happens to the back of a car when it’s rear-ended at speed, that accordion effect of rippling metal.

That’s pretty much what happens to the ground surface during this type of quake with slippage between two land masses. This type of quake can scar the earth for miles, move buildings right off their foundations, and affect a much wider area than the shaking type.

The 2002 earthquakes in Alaska caused much devastation although not much of it was to buildings and such in urban areas. However, the scarring of the land was seen for hundreds of miles, and in little villages and communities, cabins were literally moved off their foundations.

A major earthquake may involve both types of movement at different points. In either case, the basics to remember are: Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

Why Your Location And Climate Matter

About 75% of the United States is prone to earthquakes, and unlike tornadoes and hurricanes, earthquakes aren’t seasonal. Where you live and what season it is when a quake strikes can make an enormous difference in what you need to do to prepare.

Cold climates — If you’re in the northern US, Canada, or any area with harsh winters, being forced out of your home in the middle of the night is a life-threatening cold exposure risk on top of everything else. Your kit needs warm layers and hand warmers. Standing outside in pajamas at 10 below is its own emergency. To your kit, add one or two lightweight wool or wool-blend tops, a wool cap, thick wool or wool-blend socks, and make sure you have sturdy, waterproof boots.

Hot climates — Heat and sun exposure become immediate concerns in the opposite direction if you have to leave your home. Your kit needs sun protection, extra water beyond the standard recommendation, electrolyte packets, and a realistic plan for shade.

Coastal areas — A significant earthquake near the coast means tsunami risk, and if you are tuned in to an emergency radio or TV channel, you’ll likely hear of a tsunami warning. Don’t wait to see if one is coming if you are right along the coastline. Get to high ground immediately after a major quake and stay there until an official all-clear is issued.

Urban areas — Dense infrastructure means more falling debris, more gas line risk, clouds of dust from damaged and toppling buildings, more fire risk, and more difficulty evacuating. Know multiple routes home on foot. Expect roads and bridges to be impassable, and take time to assess the situation to decide which is safer — staying put or getting out.

Rural areas — A significant quake presents problems unique to those living out in rural areas. You’re further away from emergency services, which means help could be significantly delayed by days or even weeks. Self-sufficiency and having redundancies in place for things like water and power supply matters more the farther you are from a city.

Whatever your location, the single most important thing is to think through your specific scenario now, while nothing is happening, so you’re not figuring it out under pressure.

Practicing Earthquake Safety BEFORE an Earthquake

Assess Your Surroundings

Start by looking at your home and immediate surroundings with fresh eyes, the kind of assessment you’d do if you were buying the place and wanted to know what you were getting into.

• Is your home newer construction or older? Older homes, especially those built before modern seismic codes, are more vulnerable.
• Are there power lines near the house, and are there tree branches that could fall on them?
• Do you have gas lines, a fuel oil tank, or a propane setup?
• Do you have a well, water lines, a septic system, or city sewer?
• Is the foundation solid, or are there existing cracks, crumbling, or areas that aren’t properly sealed?
• Is the roof in good condition, or are there areas that sag or show signs of deterioration?

None of these are reasons to panic. They’re just things worth knowing could be especially vulnerable to the shaking of an earthquake. Fix what you can fix now.

Know Where to Turn Off Utilities

This is one of the most important things you can do before an earthquake and one that’s easy to skip. Know where every shutoff is, make sure you have the right tools to operate them, and make sure every adult in the household knows how to do it.

Gas — A broken gas line that ignites is one of the main causes of explosions and fires after an earthquake. Know where your gas shutoff valve is outside the house and keep a gas shutoff wrench or adjustable wrench nearby, not inside somewhere where it might be inaccessible. Once the gas is off, don’t turn it back on yourself. A technician needs to inspect the lines first.

Electricity — Know where your main electrical panel is and how to shut off power to the whole house. If the panel is damaged, don’t touch it. Wait for the power company or a licensed electrician to inspect and repair the panel.

Cut back any tree branches near power lines. Your utility company may do this free of charge, call and ask.

Water — Know where the main shutoff is both inside your home and at the street. Shutting off the water protects your water heater supply as well as your home if any water pipes are damaged.

Wells, Sewer, and Septic Tanks

If you’re on a well, an earthquake can shift the pump, which may affect your water supply. Know this going in and have stored water as a backup.

If you’re on a septic system, a broken main pipe is a serious problem that may require excavation to fix. Know where your system is located and have a basic understanding of how it works before you’re dealing with it under stress.

Earthquake-Proof the Inside of Your Home

When the earth shakes, everything in your home shakes with it — shelves, cupboards, mirrors, wall-mounted TVs — everything! Once the shaking starts, anything and everything can and will topple, fly through the air, break, and very possibly cause injury.

Don’t hang anything heavy over a bed — no mirrors, no shelving, no candelabras.

Bolt tall furniture to wall studs — bookcases, entertainment centers, tall dressers, china cabinets, grandfather clocks. Use L-brackets and locate the studs, not just the drywall.

Strap your water heater to wall studs using a water heater strap kit, available at any home improvement store.

Install childproof latches inside cabinet doors. They keep dishes, glasses, and pantry items from flying out.

Use Quakehold putty to anchor decorative items on shelves, mantels, and bookcases.

Apply safety film to older glass doors and large windows. It won’t prevent breakage but keeps the glass from shattering into dangerous shards.

Remove glass from picture frames or replace it with Plexiglas, especially for anything hanging over a bed or sofa.

Conduct Family Earthquake Drills

The best family earthquake drill advice is simple.

• Hold a family meeting. Discuss Drop-Cover-Hold On.
• Go through each room of the house. Look for places where you could Drop-Cover-Hold On and practice. Remind everyone to stay away from windows and glass doors.
• Let kids know in advance you’ll be having an earthquake drill
• Blow a whistle and yell out, “It’s an earthquake.” See how quickly everyone can get to a safe location.

A few things to reinforce every time:

Stay inside until the shaking stops. Don’t run for the door or go outside.

Do NOT stand in a doorway. It offers no real protection in modern construction. (Just in case kids have learned this elsewhere.)

Cover your head and neck with your arms if there’s no furniture nearby. If you’re in bed, cover your head with blankets and your pillow.

Hold on tight to your shelter. A large quake can move furniture and the table or desk you’re hiding under could slide around, so be prepared for that.

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Take time to run through this drill at different times of the day and even from different locations so your whole family can quickly decide where the closest safe spot is to them. It takes mere moments for things to start falling apart when the earth moves.

Young children can be taught the importance of running to their parents in emergency situations. Use a phrase that catches their attention to get them to come to you so you can get them to safety.

Two Things to Have Ready: Immediate Gear and Your Emergency Kit

The moment you feel that jolt and your brain recognizes it as an earthquake, you’ll need a few things right at hand. You’ll also want a well-packed emergency kit, specific to an earthquake scenario.

Immediate aftermath gear lives within arm’s reach of your bed. Most importantly are shoes (always keep a pair of closed-toe shoes with a solid sole by the bed), a flashlight or headlamp, any medications you rely on (keep a week’s worth in a pill organizer), and glasses if you wear them. If you live in an area with frequent quakes or if you’re experiencing tremors you expect to lead up to something bigger, add work gloves to protect your hands if you need to move debris and a hard hat. About 30% of all earthquake fatalities are caused by head injuries.

One woman tells me that she keeps gloves, heavy socks, a hard hat, a spare pair of glasses, and a set of house and car keys in a pillowcase kept in her bedside table.

When an earthquake hits at 2am, these are the things you reach for immediately and to get safely out of the building.

Your earthquake emergency kit is your fully packed go-bag containing water, food, first aid, medications, documents, and shelter supplies. Store it somewhere accessible even if your home is damaged: a detached garage, an outdoor cache, or your vehicle. See the complete earthquake kit packing list here.

Where to Keep Your Earthquake-Ready Kit

Where you store your kit matters as much as what’s in it because if your house collapses or is badly damaged, you may not be able to get back inside. That means a kit stored indoors might be impossible to reach when you need it most.

A few smarter options:

• A detached garage or shed is separate from your house and smaller, so you may have easier access even if it is also damaged.
• An outdoor cache, such as a weatherproof container buried or secured outside the house would be accessible even if the building is unsafe to enter.
• Your vehicle, since a car kit in the trunk gives you supplies even if you have to leave on foot from wherever you are when the quake hits. If your vehicle emergency kit contents are already in a backpack, you can just grab and run. Otherwise, pack an empty backpack with the kit for that purpose.
• One kit per floor, if you have a multi-story home. A small kit on each level means you’re never more than one floor away from basic supplies

Whatever location you choose, make sure every member of the household knows exactly where it is and can find it in the dark.

Earthquake Safety DURING an Earthquake

When the shaking starts, you have one job: protect your head and body from falling objects. My husband tells me about an earthquake he experienced when he lived on Guam, holding on to the leg of the dining table for all it was worth, and watching their chandelier swing wildly from side to side. Along with the sheer terror was the fear of the roof caving in, heavy furniture falling on him, and flying debris.

Drop, Cover, and Hold On is the universally recommended protocol from emergency management experts, not standing in a doorway, which offers no actual protection, and not running outside, where falling debris is most dangerous. The three steps are simple to remember.

• DROP to your hands and knees
• COVER your head and neck with one arm, and get under a sturdy table or desk if one is nearby. If there’s no furniture, get against an interior wall away from windows
• HOLD ON to that improvised shelter and be prepared to move with it. A large quake can shift even heavy furniture across the room

Stay inside until the shaking stops. Most injuries happen when people try to move during shaking or run outside. If you’re already outside, move away from buildings, power lines, and anything that could fall.

If you’re in bed, stay there. Pull the pillow over your head and neck. Getting up to find cover in the dark during active shaking is more dangerous than staying put since you can’t see potential dangers.

If you’re in a high-rise, drop, cover, and hold on. Don’t use elevators, and expect fire alarms and sprinklers to activate.

If you’re driving, pull over away from buildings, trees, overpasses, and power lines. Stay inside with your seatbelt on until the shaking stops.

Earthquake Safety AFTER an Earthquake

The shaking has stopped. Here’s what to do, in order.

1. Put on shoes immediately.
Before you take a single step, get shoes on. Cuts and splinters from broken glass and debris are the most common post-earthquake injuries, and they’re entirely preventable. This is why the shoes by your bedside should be closed-toe with a solid sole. Keep them within arm’s reach of every bed for this reason.

2. Get your light source.
Don’t move through a dark space, likely filled with debris and other dangers without light. A headlamp is better than a flashlight. It leaves both hands free.

3. Check for gas leaks before turning anything on.
If you’ve seen news footage of a city after a major earthquake, you’ve probably noticed fires and explosions in the background. Most of those aren’t from the earthquake itself. They’re from ruptured natural gas lines igniting.

Natural gas has a distinctive smell, like rotten eggs or sulfur. Once you smell it, you never forget it. That odor is added intentionally so leaks can be detected. If you smell it, trust it.

If you suspect a gas leak:

• Don’t turn any electrical switches on or off, even a light switch can create a spark.
• Don’t use your phone inside the building.
• Don’t use candles, matches, or lighters.
• Leave immediately, leaving doors and windows open as you go to help ventilate.
• Get well away from the building, not just outside the door, but a safe distance from the structure.
• Call the gas company or 911 from a neighbor’s house or once you’re away from the building.

Once the gas is turned off, only a utility technician should turn it back on, even if you waited and nothing happened. There could still be residual gas in the lines.

One reality check: after a major earthquake, emergency services will be overwhelmed. Depending on the severity and your location, help could be days away, not hours. If you smell gas and can safely find and reach the shutoff valve outside your home, turn it off yourself.

4. Check for structural damage before staying inside.
Look for visible cracks in walls, ceilings, or the foundation, and inspect both from indoors and outside. Are walls leaning or bulging? A compromised structure can collapse in an aftershock, and sometimes there will be dozens of those over a period of many days. If you have any doubt about structural integrity, get out and stay out.

5. Treat injuries, serious ones first.
Serious bleeding, head injuries, and crush injuries take priority. Have your first aid kit accessible and know basic wound care before you need it. Again, depending on the size and damage done by the earthquake, immediate medical help may not be available any time soon. With your emergency radio or smartphone, listen for instructions from government agencies regarding where to take injured people.

6. Check the emergency radio.
Cell networks may be jammed or down. A battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio is how you get official information about aftershocks, road conditions, and whether to evacuate. Information will be one of your most important survival “supplies”, especially in the immediate hours following an earthquake.

7. Turn off the water to the water heater.
This protects a reserve of water for your household. If water lines are compromised, that water heater holds 40-80 gallons of drinkable water, so don’t let it drain out through a broken line.

8. Check on neighbors.
Especially elderly neighbors, anyone living alone, and anyone with medical equipment or mobility issues. In the Northridge earthquake, many deaths came from people who were injured and alone with no one to help them. A neighborhood check takes fifteen minutes and can save a life. It’s the perfect task to delegate if you have older kids, teens, or another adult in the household.

9. Set up water, food, and a cooking station.
Assume tap water may be contaminated until confirmed otherwise. Use your stored water and assess what food is accessible. If you have a way to cook food off-grid, now is the time to get those supplies ready.

10. Document damage.
Ideally, this is something to be done long before an earthquake or any other disaster hits. Extensive video and photo documentation, stored in the Cloud (Google Drive, DropBox, etc.) goes a long way towards protecting you if there’s a dispute with an insurance company.

IMPORTANT: Collect video and photo evidence before any repairs, clean up, or discarding anything. You want the insurance company to see the actual damage done, as their coverage will likely include things like water/mold mitigation and hiring contractors for repairs. You want them to see the damage as-is.

If you have to make any temporary repairs so your house is safe enough to be livable, document before/after photos, receipts, and what was repaired.

For photos/video evidence:

• Overall exterior views — Walk around the house and capture all sides from multiple distances/angles. Include the roof (if visible/safe), chimney, foundation, siding, windows, doors, garage, and any outbuildings or fences. Also photograph any damage done to vehicles.
• Structural damage — Close-ups and wide shots of any cracks in walls, ceilings, floors, or foundation (note width, length, horizontal vs. vertical, any displacement).
  • Shifting, leaning, or separation at corners/joints.
  • Damaged support beams, stairs, or porches.
  • Any signs of settling or ground movement around the foundation.
• Interior damage — When it’s safe, go room-by-room and do a walkthrough, taking a video (narrate as you go) plus stills:
  • Walls, ceilings, floors, doors, and windows.
  • Cabinets, countertops, and built-ins.
  • Water damage, leaks, or stains from broken pipes.
• Utilities and systems including the gas meter/shutoff area, electrical panel, water heater, HVAC, plumbing leaks, or sparks.
• Personal property and contents — Everything affected:
  • Damaged furniture, appliances, electronics (include serial numbers if visible).
  • Broken items, fallen contents from shelves/closets.
  • Valuables, heirlooms, or prepping supplies.
  • Clothing

If you have a Grab-and-Go binder, this is when those documents, such as receipts for things like large appliances, come in handy.

Expect Aftershocks

The main quake is rarely the last one. Aftershocks can follow for hours, days, or even weeks, and they can be strong enough to collapse structures that were already weakened by the initial quake. Don’t let your guard down just because the shaking has stopped.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Don’t re-enter a damaged building until it has been inspected and cleared. An aftershock can bring down what the first quake left standing. If you need to leave your home, have a list in mind of where you can stay for the duration.
• Stay away from damaged areas, such as damaged overpasses and bridges, broken infrastructure, and downed power lines all remain dangerous long after the initial event.
• Earthquakes can trigger secondary disasters, like landslides, avalanches, tsunamis, and in some cases volcanic activity. If you’re in a coastal area, get to high ground immediately after a major quake and stay there until an official all-clear is issued. Don’t wait to see if a tsunami is coming.
• The psychological toll is real. The constant uncertainty of not knowing when the next aftershock will hit is genuinely stressful, even for people who weren’t injured. MC, a reader who lived through the Northridge earthquake, described windows rattling and buildings shaking for days after the main event. Expect extra stress in your household as everyone will be on edge for a long time afterwards.

A Special Note About Pets

Pets are part of the family, and they need to be part of your earthquake plan. A frightened animal behaves unpredictably. Dogs bolt out the front door, cats disappear into walls, and even the most docile pet can become difficult to handle when they’re highly stressed.

Before an Earthquake

Build a pet emergency kit and store it with your human supplies. Include 3–14 days of food and water in airtight containers (mine are vacuum sealed using a Food Saver), medications, food and water bowls (collapsible saves space), leash and collar or carrier, ID tags and microchip information, vaccination and medical records in a waterproof container, a blanket or towel, waste bags, and a recent photo of each pet in case you get separated.

Place these supplies in their carrier so everything is in one place and ready to go.

Make sure every pet has current ID tags and are microchipped. You may need to temporarily board your pet at a kennel or with a veterinarian, so keep their vaccination records somewhere accessible, both in their carrier as well as your Grab-and-Go Binder. Even better, save copies in a cloud backup, like Google Drive.

Crate-train your dogs and carrier-train cats now, before an emergency. The amount of stress you’ll avoid by having crate-trained pets that are in a safe place is priceless when everything else is chaotic.

Know which emergency shelters and hotels in your area accept pets. Most Red Cross shelters do not allow animals. LaQuinta hotels are noted for being pet-friendly. Have a few different locations in mind, just in case.

During an Earthquake

Stay with your pets if you can, but don’t try to hold on or move them during active shaking. Drop, Cover, and Hold On yourself and let pets behave instinctively. They may hide or pace; that’s normal. Don’t put yourself in danger trying to reach a pet mid-quake. Human safety first — remind your kids of this.

After an Earthquake

Once the shaking stops, check your pets for injuries. Dust, flying debris, broken glass — they won’t be wearing any type of protective shoes or clothes, so you may notice cuts, limping, wheezing, or other signs of distress. Confine them to a either a safe room, one without obvious damage, or crate while you go about checking on family members, assessing your home, and so on.

Just as with human family members, expect behavioral changes after an earthquake. Some pets express their anxiety with pacing, hiding, or loss of appetite. Keep them close, maintain their routines as much as possible, and watch for signs that something is physically wrong. A veterinarian may or may not be available, so be prepared to administer basic care and first aid for your pet.

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Earthquake Safety When You’re Not At Home

An earthquake doesn’t wait for you to be at home where you have all your preps, supplies, and family members nearby. You might be at work, at the grocery store, in a parking garage, or driving when it hits. Here’s what to know for each scenario.

At work:
Drop, cover, and hold on, same as at home. Know where the exits and stairwells are before you need them. Elevators are off-limits after an earthquake. Keep a small kit at your desk or in your car with enough supplies to get you home — water, walking shoes, a phone charger, a basic first aid kit, and cash. If roads are damaged, you may be walking.

In a store or public building:
Stay away from windows, shelving, and display cases. They all of become projectiles and have the potential to crush when they topple over. Move toward interior walls, drop, and cover your head. Don’t run for the exit during active shaking. Once the shaking stops, exit and move away from the building.

In a parking garage:
These structures can be particularly dangerous. Get out of your car, drop, cover, and protect your head from falling concrete. Exit on foot once the shaking stops. Don’t attempt to drive out, as the structure may be compromised unless you see your way clear of any debris.

If you’re driving:
Pull over away from buildings, overpasses, trees, and power lines and try to park in an open area. Stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on until the shaking stops. After the quake, proceed carefully if driving is still possible. Road surfaces, bridges, and overpasses may be too damaged or compromised for safe travel. If you live near the coast, get to high ground immediately after a significant quake.

If family members are separated:
This is why a family communication plan matters so much before an earthquake happens. Designate an out-of-state contact everyone can reach, agree on a meeting point, and make sure every family member, including kids, knows the plan. Cell networks will likely be jammed. Texts get through when calls won’t.

Kids at school:

Every school must have a disaster plan in place, and you can probably find the plan on their website. Regardless, teach your kids the basics of earthquake safety, provide a few school-approved supplies in their backpack, and reassure them to stay at school until you come for them. Check with the school about pick-up rules in the aftermath of a disaster. As one principal said to me, “We can’t turn over every kid to any adult that shows up and claims them.” So know what their procedure is and explain it to your kids.

Getting home on foot:
If roads are impassable and you’re walking home, know your route in advance. Keep a pair of sturdy walking shoes in your car or at your desk. Carry cash because electronic payment systems may be down for days, and cash can pay for a meal, a night at a hotel, water, or anything else that might ensure your safe travel home.

The Final Word

Earthquakes don’t give you time to think. Everything that matters to your immediate survival — where the shoes are, where the kit is, whether the kids know what to do, whether the gas wrench is where you can find it — those all get decided in the weeks and months before the ground moves, not in the seconds after. Pick one thing from this article and do it today. Then come back and do another one.

Contributors to this article are Sarah Anne Carter, J. Spencer, and upinak (Alaskan Preppers Network.). Originally published July 6, 2019.

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