Complete Earthquake Safety Guide 2025
Life-saving advice for every earthquake situation. Learn what to do at home, work, outdoors, and in emergencies.
Drop, Cover, HoldEmergency PreparednessSafety FirstExpert Advice
Remember the Golden Rule: DROP to your hands and knees, take COVER under a sturdy desk or table, and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. This simple technique can save your life.
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Indoor Safety: Homes & Apartments
Essential safety measures for residential buildings
✅ DO These Things
- •Living Room: Drop under a coffee table or against an interior wall. Stay away from windows, mirrors, and heavy furniture.
- •Kitchen: Move away from stove, refrigerator, and cabinets. Get under a sturdy table or in a doorway.
- •Bedroom: Stay in bed and cover your head with a pillow, or drop beside the bed and cover your head.
- •Bathroom: Drop next to the toilet or bathtub. Bathrooms are often safer due to smaller spaces and plumbing support.
- •Basement: Get under stairs or a workbench. Avoid areas under heavy appliances on the floor above.
❌ NEVER Do These
- •Run outside during shaking - most injuries occur from falling debris near exits
- •Stand in doorways (outdated advice) - modern doorways aren't reinforced
- •Get under ceiling fans, light fixtures, or near tall furniture
- •Use elevators during or immediately after shaking
- •Light matches or candles if you smell gas
Apartment-Specific Considerations
High-Rise Apartments (3+ floors)
- • Stay inside - don't use elevators or stairs during shaking
- • Move away from exterior walls and windows
- • Be prepared for fire alarms and sprinkler systems to activate
- • Know your building's emergency procedures
Ground Floor & Low-Rise
- • Same drop, cover, hold rules apply
- • Check for gas leaks after shaking stops
- • Be aware of potential structural damage to older buildings
- • Have multiple exit routes planned
Outdoor Safety: Streets, Parks & Natural Areas
What to do when caught outside during an earthquake
🏙️ Urban Areas
- • Move away from buildings, power lines, and street lights
- • Drop to the ground in an open area
- • Cover your head and neck with your arms
- • Watch for falling glass, signs, and building facades
- • Stay away from older brick or concrete buildings
🌲 Forests & Mountains
- • Move away from steep slopes and cliff faces
- • Avoid areas under large trees or rock formations
- • Find open, flat ground if possible
- • Be alert for landslides and rockfalls
- • Stay away from rivers and streams (tsunami risk)
🏖️ Beaches & Coastal Areas
- • IMMEDIATELY move to higher ground
- • Earthquakes near coast = potential tsunami
- • Don't wait for official warnings
- • Move at least 100 feet above sea level
- • Stay away from the water for several hours
Outdoor Golden Rule: If you can't find shelter, drop to your knees, cover your head and neck, and stay low until shaking stops. Most outdoor injuries come from falling debris near building entrances.
Office Buildings & Skyscrapers
Safety protocols for high-rise and commercial buildings
During the Earthquake
- •Office/Cubicle: Get under your desk immediately. If no desk, cover head and move to interior wall.
- •Conference Room: Get under the table. If table isn't sturdy, move to interior wall away from windows.
- •Hallway: Drop against interior wall, cover head. Avoid areas near elevators or stairwells.
- •Elevator: If doors open, get out immediately. If stuck, use emergency phone and wait for help.
High-Rise Specific Tips
- •Higher floors experience more swaying - expect longer shaking duration
- •Modern buildings are designed to sway, not collapse
- •Fire alarms and sprinklers may activate - this is normal
- •Wait for "all clear" before using elevators or stairs
Evacuation Procedures
✅ After Shaking Stops
- • Check for injuries and provide first aid
- • Use stairs, never elevators
- • Follow building evacuation procedures
- • Help disabled colleagues if safe to do so
- • Meet at designated assembly point
❌ Don't Rush
- • Don't use elevators for at least 24 hours
- • Don't re-enter until building is inspected
- • Don't panic if fire alarms are sounding
- • Don't leave injured people unless in immediate danger
Vehicle & Transportation Safety
What to do when driving or using public transportation
🚗 Driving a Car
- 1. Pull over safely: Move to roadside, away from overpasses, bridges, power lines
- 2. Stop and stay inside: Your car protects you from falling debris
- 3. Set parking brake: Turn on hazard lights
- 4. Duck down: Cover head with hands, stay below windows
- 5. After shaking: Check for damage before driving
- 6. Avoid: Bridges, overpasses, damaged roads
🚌 Public Transportation
- Bus: Stay seated, hold on firmly, cover head if possible
- Train/Subway: Brace against seat or wall, avoid windows
- Don't exit: Wait until vehicle stops completely
- Follow instructions: Listen to driver/conductor
- Underground: Trains may stop in tunnels - stay calm
⚠️ Dangerous Driving Locations
Bridges & Overpasses
Pull over before or after if possible. If caught on bridge, stop and stay in vehicle.
Tunnels
Exit tunnel if close to entrance/exit. Otherwise, pull over and wait.
Parking Garages
Move away from concrete pillars. Stay in car until shaking stops.
🏪 Public Places & Venues
Safety guidance for crowded and public spaces
🛒 Shopping Malls
- • Move away from store windows and displays
- • Get under sturdy furniture or against interior walls
- • Avoid escalators and elevators
- • Don't run toward exits during shaking
- • Watch for falling merchandise
🍽️ Restaurants & Cafes
- • Get under your table immediately
- • Stay away from kitchen areas
- • Avoid areas with hanging lights
- • Watch for hot liquids and sharp objects
- • Help others if safe to do so
🏥 Hospitals
- • Follow hospital emergency procedures
- • Protect patients who cannot move
- • Stay away from medical equipment
- • Don't use elevators
- • Wait for staff instructions
🏫 Schools
- • Get under desk or table
- • Follow teacher's instructions
- • Stay in classroom until shaking stops
- • Don't run to exits during shaking
- • Help younger students if possible
🎭 Theaters & Stadiums
- • Stay in your seat, don't run
- • Duck down and cover head
- • Avoid aisles during shaking
- • Watch for falling ceiling fixtures
- • Wait for official evacuation instructions
🚇 Subway Stations
- • Move away from platform edge
- • Get against a wall or pillar
- • Don't try to board trains
- • Watch for falling tiles and signs
- • Follow transit authority instructions
⚠️ Special Situations & Vulnerable Groups
Specific guidance for unique circumstances and populations
👶 Children & Elderly
Children
- • Teach "Drop, Cover, Hold" through practice
- • Stay calm - children follow adult reactions
- • Protect their head and neck first
- • Have comfort items in emergency kit
Elderly
- • If mobility limited, cover head where you are
- • Keep medications easily accessible
- • Have medical information readily available
- • Arrange check-in system with neighbors
♿ Disability Considerations
Mobility Impairments
- • Lock wheelchair wheels, cover head
- • If in bed, stay there and cover head
- • Keep assistive devices nearby
- • Have backup power for medical equipment
Vision/Hearing Impairments
- • Feel for vibrations to detect earthquake
- • Keep assistive devices within reach
- • Have multiple communication methods
- • Practice evacuation routes regularly
🌙 Nighttime Earthquakes
If You're Sleeping
- • Stay in bed, cover head with pillow
- • Don't try to run in the dark
- • Keep flashlight and shoes by bed
- • Roll to floor beside bed if safer
After Shaking Stops
- • Use flashlight, not candles or matches
- • Put on shoes before walking
- • Check for gas leaks (smell)
- • Be extra careful of broken glass
🔍 After the Earthquake: Critical First Steps
What to do in the first minutes and hours after shaking stops
Expect Aftershocks: Aftershocks can occur for days, weeks, or months after the main earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold again at any time.
✅ Immediate Actions (First 10 Minutes)
- 1Check for injuries - Provide first aid, don't move seriously injured people
- 2Check for hazards - Gas leaks, electrical damage, structural damage
- 3Turn off utilities if damaged - Gas, water, electricity
- 4Put on shoes - Protect feet from broken glass and debris
- 5Check on neighbors - Especially elderly and disabled
❌ Don't Do These
- •Use elevators for at least 24 hours
- •Light matches or use open flames if you smell gas
- •Enter damaged buildings
- •Drive unless absolutely necessary
- •Use the phone except for emergencies
📱 Communication & Information
Emergency Contacts
- • 911 for life-threatening emergencies only
- • Local emergency services numbers
- • Out-of-state contact person
- • Text messages often work when calls don't
Information Sources
- • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- • Official emergency management websites
- • Local news and weather services
- • USGS earthquake information
🎒 Emergency Kit Essentials
Be prepared with these critical supplies for earthquake emergencies
💧 Water & Food (3-day supply)
- • 1 gallon water per person per day
- • Non-perishable food (canned goods, energy bars)
- • Manual can opener
- • Paper plates, cups, plastic utensils
- • Pet food and water
🔦 Tools & Supplies
- • Flashlights and extra batteries
- • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- • Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife
- • Duct tape and plastic sheeting
- • Matches in waterproof container
🏥 First Aid & Medical
- • First aid kit with bandages, antiseptic
- • Prescription medications (7-day supply)
- • Over-the-counter pain relievers
- • Medical information and insurance cards
- • Emergency contact information
👕 Clothing & Comfort
- • Change of clothing and sturdy shoes
- • Sleeping bags or warm blankets
- • Rain gear and warm clothing
- • Personal hygiene items
- • Comfort items for children
📄 Important Documents
- • Copies of ID, insurance, bank records
- • Cash in small bills
- • Emergency contact information
- • Maps of local area
- • Family photos for identification
🔧 Special Items
- • Fire extinguisher
- • Wrench to turn off gas meter
- • Plastic bags and ties
- • Paper and pencil
- • Books, games, activities for children
Kit Locations: Keep emergency supplies in multiple locations - home, work, and car. Check and rotate supplies every 6 months. Store kits in easily accessible locations.
Stay Prepared, Stay Safe
Remember: The best earthquake safety measure is preparation. Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold with your family, maintain your emergency kit, and stay informed about earthquake risks in your area.
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