Earthquake Safety Guide

Educate Yourself: Learn about earthquakes, their causes, and potential impacts in your area. Understand the difference between magnitude and intensity and know the earthquake risks specific to your region.

Emergency Plan: Develop a family emergency plan. Identify safe spots in each room of your home, as well as outside. Designate meeting places both near your home and farther away in case you need to evacuate.

Emergency Supplies: Prepare an emergency kit that includes essential items such as water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, flashlight, batteries, and important documents. Make sure all family members know where the kit is located.

Secure Your Home: Bolt heavy furniture and appliances to walls, install latches on cabinet doors, and secure heavy items on high shelves. Consider retrofitting older buildings to improve their earthquake resistance.

Practice Drills: Regularly conduct earthquake drills with your family or coworkers. Practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” which involves dropping to the ground, taking cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, and holding on until the shaking stops.

Stay Calm: If you’re indoors, stay there. Do not run outside as you could be injured by falling debris. If you’re outside, move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and utility wires.

Drop, Cover, and Hold On: Protect yourself by getting down on your hands and knees to prevent being knocked over. Take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture and hold on until the shaking stops. If there’s no furniture nearby, cover your head and neck with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.

Stay Indoors: If you’re inside, stay indoors until the shaking stops and it’s safe to exit. Be aware that aftershocks may occur, so be prepared to Drop, Cover, and Hold On again if necessary.

Stay Away from Windows: Glass can shatter during an earthquake, so move away from windows, mirrors, and other glass objects that could pose a risk of injury.

Be Prepared for Power Outages: In the event of an earthquake, power lines may be damaged, resulting in power outages. Have flashlights and extra batteries readily available.

Check for Injuries: After the shaking stops, check yourself and others for injuries. Administer first aid if necessary and seek medical attention for serious injuries.

Assess Your Surroundings: Check for hazards such as gas leaks, downed power lines, and structural damage. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the gas supply and leave the building immediately.

Evacuate if Necessary: If you’re instructed to evacuate or if you feel unsafe in your current location, move to a safe area. Follow designated evacuation routes and avoid damaged areas.

Communicate and Check on Others: Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends, as phone lines may be overwhelmed. Check on neighbors, especially those who may need assistance such as the elderly or disabled.

Listen to Authorities: Follow instructions from local authorities and emergency responders. They will provide guidance on safety measures, evacuation procedures, and other important information.

Inspect Your Home: Assess your home for damage, including structural damage, gas leaks, and electrical hazards. Avoid using matches, candles, or open flames if you suspect a gas leak.

Be Prepared for Aftershocks: Aftershocks can occur in the hours, days, or even weeks following an earthquake. Be prepared to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel shaking.

Stay Informed: Keep updated on the situation through local news outlets, emergency alert systems, and official social media channels. Follow any instructions or advisories provided by authorities.

Seek Support: Earthquakes can be traumatic events. Reach out to friends, family, or mental health professionals for support if needed.

Building Safety Assessment: If you’re a homeowner, consider having a professional assess the structural integrity of your home, especially if it’s an older building. Retrofitting measures can be taken to reinforce weak points and make your home more resistant to earthquake damage.

Secure Hazardous Materials: Store hazardous materials such as chemicals, pesticides, and flammable liquids securely in cabinets with latches. This prevents them from spilling or causing fires during an earthquake.

Know Your Community: Familiarize yourself with your community’s emergency response plans and evacuation routes. Identify the locations of nearby emergency shelters, hospitals, and designated meeting points.

Earthquake Insurance: Review your insurance policies, particularly your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, to understand what coverage is available for earthquake damage. Consider purchasing earthquake insurance if it’s not already included in your policy.

Learn Life-Saving Skills: Take first aid and CPR training courses to prepare yourself to provide assistance in case of injuries during an earthquake or other emergencies.

Secure Heavy Objects: Secure heavy objects such as water heaters, refrigerators, and bookcases to prevent them from tipping over and causing injury or property damage.

Protect Your Head: If you can’t find cover under furniture, protect your head and neck with your arms and seek shelter against an interior wall. Avoid doorways, as they are no stronger than any other part of the structure and may not provide adequate protection.

Stay Indoors if You’re Inside: Most injuries during earthquakes occur when people try to move to a different location inside a building or attempt to leave the building. Stay where you are until the shaking stops and it’s safe to move.

If You’re Outside: Move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and utility wires. Avoid standing near tall structures, as falling debris may pose a risk.

If You’re Driving: Pull over to a safe location away from overpasses, bridges, and buildings. Stay inside your vehicle with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Once the shaking stops, proceed with caution, watching for debris and other hazards on the road.

If You’re in Bed: Stay in bed and cover your head and neck with a pillow. Do not attempt to get out of bed unless you’re in immediate danger from falling objects.

Assess Utility Lines: Check for gas leaks, water leaks, and electrical hazards. If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, evacuate the area immediately and notify emergency services. Do not turn on lights, use appliances, or light matches until you’re sure there are no gas leaks.

Document Damage: Take photos or videos of any damage to your property for insurance purposes. Make a list of damaged or lost items and keep receipts for repair expenses.

Emergency Communication Plan: Establish a communication plan with family members and loved ones in case of separation during the earthquake. Designate an out-of-town contact person whom everyone can check in with to report their status and whereabouts.

Emergency Supplies Replenishment: Replace any items used from your emergency kit and replenish your supply of non-perishable food, water, and other essentials.

Earthquake Preparedness Review: Conduct a review of your earthquake preparedness plan with your family or household members. Identify any areas for improvement and update your plan accordingly.

Community Involvement: Get involved in community earthquake preparedness initiatives such as neighborhood watch programs, CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training, or volunteering with local disaster relief organizations.

Psychological Support: Be aware of the psychological impact of earthquakes on individuals and communities. Seek support from mental health professionals if you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress or trauma related to the earthquake.