Earthquake Preparedness: How to Protect Yourself Before, During, and After an Earthquake

Earthquakes are sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. They can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides, or avalanches and can happen anywhere without warning.

Prepare Before an Earthquake

The best time to prepare for any disaster is before it happens. Here are key steps to ensure you are ready when an earthquake strikes.

Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On

• Practice with Family and Coworkers: Regularly practice these safety steps to ensure everyone knows how to protect themselves during an earthquake.

Make an Emergency Plan

• Family Communications Plan: Create a plan with an out-of-state contact and designate a meeting place if separated.
• Supply Kit: Include enough food and water for several days, a flashlight, fire extinguisher, and a whistle.
• Essential Purchases: Gradually build up supplies to avoid unnecessary excursions and alleviate the burden on urgent care centers and hospitals.

Protect Your Home

• Secure Heavy Items: Anchor bookcases, refrigerators, water heaters, televisions, and wall-hanging objects. Store heavy and breakable items on low shelves.
• Structural Improvements: Consider fixing structural issues in your building to prevent collapse.
• Earthquake Insurance: Obtain an earthquake insurance policy, as standard homeowner’s insurance does not cover earthquake damage.

Have a Reliable Emergency Power Source

• Emergency Portable Power Bank: Ensure you have a high-capacity portable power bank in your emergency kit. Look for power banks with long-lasting lithium-ion or LiFePO4 (LFP) batteries, multiple charging ports, and sufficient capacity to charge essential devices like phones, radios, and medical equipment. A reliable power bank ensures you can keep your devices charged, stay connected, and access vital information during extended power outages.

Stay Safe During an Earthquake

If an earthquake happens, protect yourself right away:

• In a Car: Pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.
• In Bed: Turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
• Outdoors: Stay outdoors and away from buildings.
• Indoors: Stay inside and do not run outside. Avoid doorways.

Drop, Cover, and Hold On

• Drop (or Lock): Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy. If using a wheelchair or walker, lock the wheels and remain seated until the shaking stops.
• Cover: Cover your head and neck with your arms. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it. If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall away from windows. Crawl only if you can reach better cover without going through an area with more debris. Stay on your knees or bent over to protect vital organs.
• Hold On: If under a table or desk, hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it if it moves. If seated and unable to drop to the floor, bend forward, cover your head with your arms, and hold on to your neck with both hands.

Stay Safe After an Earthquake

There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines.

• Expect Aftershocks: Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock.
• Damaged Buildings: Go outside and quickly move away from damaged buildings. Do not enter damaged buildings.
• If Trapped: Send a text or bang on a pipe or wall. Cover your mouth with your shirt for protection and use a whistle instead of shouting.
• Tsunami Risk Areas: Go inland or to higher ground immediately after the shaking stops. Avoid contact with floodwaters as they can contain chemicals, sewage, and debris.
• Check for Injuries: Check yourself for injuries and help others if you have training. Learn how to be the help until help arrives.

FAQ

What is an Earthquake?

An earthquake is the sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep beneath the earth’s surface. They can cause significant damage, including fires, tsunamis, landslides, and avalanches, and occur without warning.

Where is the Safest Place to be in an Earthquake?

Indoors, stay away from windows, walls, and heavy furniture. Outdoors, stay clear of trees, telephone poles, electric wires, and buildings. Drop, cover, and hold on to protect yourself.

What are the Basic Earthquake Preparedness Steps?

Practice drop, cover, and hold on, make an emergency plan, secure heavy items in your home, build an emergency kit, and have a reliable portable power bank.

What are the 7 Steps to Earthquake Safety?

1. Secure your space.
2. Plan to be safe.
3. Organise disaster supplies.
4. Minimise financial hardship.
5. Drop, cover, and hold on.
6. Improve safety.
7. Reconnect and restore.

What are 5 Things to Avoid During an Earthquake?

1. Don't run outside.
2. Avoid doorways.
3. Stay away from windows.
4. Don't use elevators.
5. Avoid buildings and structures if outdoors.