Earthquake Preparedness: Before, During, and After

Q: What is the correct action to take during an earthquake?

Drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck under sturdy furniture if possible, and hold on until shaking stops. Don't run outside or stand in a doorway.

Q: What should you do immediately after an earthquake stops?

Check for injuries, check for gas leaks and structural damage before re-entering buildings, expect aftershocks, and use text messages rather than calls since networks get overloaded.

Q: How do you secure furniture against earthquakes?

Anchor tall furniture to wall studs with straps or brackets, strap the water heater to the wall, and latch cabinet doors, especially overhead kitchen cabinets.

Q: What should you do if you're trapped under debris after an earthquake?

Avoid shouting, which can cause dust inhalation; tap on a pipe or wall or use a whistle to signal rescuers, cover your mouth, and move as little as possible.

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Earthquakes give no warning, so the preparation that matters most happens before the shaking starts — securing what can fall, knowing what to do in the moment, and having supplies ready for the days after. This guide covers earthquake preparedness: home prep, what to do during shaking, and the plan for afterward.

Quick answer

Secure heavy furniture and water heaters to wall studs, know your gas shutoff, and store two weeks of water, food, and supplies since aftershocks and damaged infrastructure can delay help. During shaking: Drop, Cover, and Hold On — drop to the ground, take cover under sturdy furniture, and hold on until shaking stops. Don’t run outside or stand in a doorway; that’s outdated advice.

Before: secure your home

Anchor tall furniture — bookshelves, dressers, cabinets — to wall studs with furniture straps or L-brackets, especially anything that could tip onto a bed or exit path.
Secure the water heater with metal strapping to wall studs; it’s a major fire and flood risk if it topples and ruptures gas or water lines.
Latch cabinet doors, especially overhead kitchen cabinets, so contents don’t fly out.
Move heavy or breakable items off high shelves, especially above beds and seating.
Know your gas shutoff location and keep a gas shutoff wrench nearby — only shut it off if you smell gas or hear it hissing, since turning it back on requires a professional.
Identify safe spots in each room — under sturdy tables/desks, against interior walls away from windows and tall furniture.
Retrofit if your home is older — bolting the house frame to its foundation and bracing cripple walls significantly reduces structural damage risk; a structural engineer or local retrofit program can advise.

During: Drop, Cover, and Hold On

Drop to your hands and knees immediately — this keeps the quake from knocking you down and lets you move.
Cover your head and neck with one arm, and get under a sturdy table or desk if one is close. If none is available, crawl next to an interior wall, away from windows and anything that could fall.
Hold on to the furniture (or your head and neck) until shaking stops, moving with it if it shifts.
If in bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow rather than trying to move — glass and debris on the floor are a real risk.
If outdoors, move away from buildings, trees, and power lines, then drop and cover.
If driving, pull over away from overpasses, bridges, and power lines, stop, and stay in the car with your seatbelt on until shaking stops.
Do not run outside or stand in a doorway — most injuries happen from falling and flying objects while moving during shaking, and modern doorways aren’t structurally stronger than the rest of the house.

After: what to do

Expect aftershocks — they can happen minutes, hours, or days later, and are sometimes strong enough to cause more damage to weakened structures.
Check for injuries and provide first aid; don’t move seriously injured people unless they’re in immediate danger.
Check for gas leaks, electrical damage, and water line breaks before assuming the building is safe. If you smell gas, shut it off and leave immediately.
Inspect your home for structural damage — cracks in foundations or load-bearing walls mean don’t re-enter until it’s checked.
Use text messages, not calls, to reach family — networks get overloaded with voice calls right after a quake.
Be ready to evacuate if your home is damaged, there’s a gas leak, or officials order it, especially in coastal areas where a tsunami warning may follow a strong offshore quake.

Supplies to have ready

Two weeks of water and shelf-stable food, since infrastructure and stores may be disrupted for days.
A first aid kit, flashlights, and a battery or hand-crank radio.
Sturdy shoes kept by the bed — broken glass on floors is one of the most common post-quake injuries.
A whistle to signal for help if trapped.
Copies of important documents and a list of emergency contacts.
See our full 72-hour kit guide and emergency food supply guide for the complete list.

If you’re trapped

Don’t light a match or shout first — shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
Tap on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle, so rescuers can hear you.
Cover your mouth with a cloth to avoid inhaling dust.
Move as little as possible to avoid kicking up dust or disturbing unstable debris.

Frequently asked questions

What is the correct action to take during an earthquake?

Drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck (getting under sturdy furniture if possible), and hold on until shaking stops. Don’t run outside or stand in a doorway, since most injuries happen from falling objects while moving.

Should you stand in a doorway during an earthquake?

No, this is outdated advice. Modern doorways aren’t structurally stronger than the rest of a house, and standing in one leaves you exposed to falling objects elsewhere in the room. Drop and cover under sturdy furniture instead.

How much emergency supply should you have for an earthquake?

At least two weeks of water and shelf-stable food, since aftershocks and damaged infrastructure can delay stores reopening and services returning. A first aid kit, flashlights, and a battery radio round out the basics.

What should you do immediately after an earthquake stops?

Check for injuries and give first aid, check for gas leaks and structural damage before re-entering buildings, expect aftershocks, and use text messages rather than calls to reach family since networks get overloaded.

How do you secure furniture against earthquakes?

Anchor tall furniture like bookshelves and dressers to wall studs with furniture straps or L-brackets, strap the water heater to the wall, and latch cabinet doors, especially overhead kitchen cabinets.

What should you do if you’re trapped under debris after an earthquake?

Avoid shouting, which can cause you to inhale dust; instead tap on a pipe or wall or use a whistle to signal rescuers, cover your mouth with cloth, and move as little as possible to avoid disturbing unstable debris.

Bottom line

Secure what could fall before an earthquake happens, remember Drop, Cover, and Hold On during shaking, and have two weeks of supplies ready for the aftermath, since help and infrastructure can be delayed. Most earthquake injuries come from falling objects and debris, not the shaking itself — preparation targets exactly that.

This article is for general informational purposes only. Sources: FEMA and Ready.gov earthquake safety guidance; U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) earthquake preparedness; California Earthquake Authority retrofit guidance.