Comprehensive Earthquake Safety Checklist for Your Home

Earthquakes can strike without warning, making preparedness crucial. This guide provides essential steps to protect your home and family.

Why Earthquake Preparedness Is Critical

Earthquakes affect millions of people worldwide each year. In the United States alone, there are approximately 20,000 earthquakes annually, with about 60-70 causing significant damage. Major earthquakes can:

• Trigger fires, gas leaks, and flooding from broken utilities
• Cut off communication and transportation for days or weeks
• Disrupt emergency services when they're needed most
• Cause long-term displacement and economic hardship

Unlike other natural disasters, earthquakes provide no advance warning. Your safety depends entirely on the preparations you make beforehand.

Before an Earthquake: Home Safety Preparations

Structural Safety Assessment

Secure Heavy Furniture and Appliances

• Anchor tall bookcases, cabinets, and entertainment centers to wall studs
• Use furniture straps or L-brackets for dressers and wardrobes
• Secure water heaters with flexible gas connectors and strapping
• Install safety latches on kitchen cabinets, especially upper ones
• Use museum putty or earthquake gel to secure decorative items

Foundation and Building Improvements

• Have your home inspected by a structural engineer in high-risk areas
• Retrofit older homes with proper foundation bolting
• Install automatic gas shut-off valves
• Reinforce chimneys and repair any structural cracks
• Ensure your home meets current seismic building codes

Utility Safety Measures

• Know how to turn off gas, water, and electricity at main shutoffs
• Install flexible utility connections where pipes enter your home
• Keep a gas shut-off wrench near your meter
• Consider installing a manual gas shut-off valve
• Secure your electrical panel and water heater

Creating Safe Zones in Your Home

Identify Drop, Cover, and Hold Locations

• Under sturdy desks or tables in each room
• Against interior walls away from windows and mirrors
• Away from tall furniture, appliances, and hanging objects
• Practice these positions with your family regularly

Clear Potential Hazards

• Move beds away from windows and heavy wall hangings
• Store heavy items on lower shelves
• Secure mirrors, picture frames, and wall-mounted TVs
• Remove items that could fall from above beds and seating areas

Essential Earthquake Emergency Kit

Your earthquake emergency kit should sustain your family for at least 72 hours, though experts recommend preparing for up to two weeks.

Water and Food Supplies

Water Storage (1 gallon per person per day)

• Store water in food-grade containers away from toxic materials
• Rotate stored water every six months
• Include water purification tablets or filters
• Know how to safely access your water heater's reservoir

Non-Perishable Food

• Canned foods with manual can openers
• Dried fruits, nuts, and energy bars
• Instant meals requiring only hot water
• Special dietary needs including baby formula and pet food
• Manual can opener and eating utensils

Emergency Supplies and Tools

Communication and Information

• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• NOAA Weather Radio for emergency broadcasts
• Cell phone chargers and backup batteries
• Whistle for signaling help
• Emergency contact list in waterproof container

First Aid and Medications

• Comprehensive first aid kit
• Prescription medications (7-14 day supply)
• Emergency medical information for each family member
• Contact information for doctors and insurance

Tools and Safety Equipment

• Heavy-duty gloves for handling debris
• Dust masks to protect from airborne particles
• Safety glasses or goggles
• Crowbar or other lever for lifting debris
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape for shelter
• Fire extinguisher (ABC type)

Lighting and Power

• LED flashlights (one per family member)
• Extra batteries in various sizes
• Glow sticks for area lighting
• Matches in waterproof container
• Portable radio

Comfort and Sanitation Items

Shelter and Warmth

• Emergency blankets or sleeping bags
• Tarps for temporary shelter
• Complete change of clothing and sturdy shoes
• Rain gear and warm clothing

Personal Hygiene

• Toilet paper and personal hygiene items
• Plastic bags for waste disposal
• Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
• Feminine hygiene products
• Diapers if needed

During an Earthquake: Immediate Response

If You're Indoors

Drop, Cover, and Hold On

• Immediately drop to hands and knees
• Take cover under a sturdy desk or table
• Hold on to your shelter and protect your head and neck
• Stay away from windows, mirrors, and tall furniture
• If no table is available, cover your head and neck with your arms

Stay Where You Are

• Do NOT run outside during shaking
• Do NOT stand in doorways (outdated advice)
• Avoid elevators at all costs
• If in bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow

If You're Outdoors

Move to Open Spaces

• Get away from buildings, trees, and power lines
• Drop to the ground and protect your head and neck
• Stay in the open until shaking stops completely
• Be aware of potential landslides in hilly areas

If You're Driving

Stop Safely and Stay in Vehicle

• Pull over away from overpasses, bridges, and power lines
• Set parking brake and stay inside the car
• Cover your head and neck
• Avoid stopping under or near buildings, trees, or utility wires

After an Earthquake: Recovery and Safety

Immediate Post-Earthquake Actions

Check for Injuries and Hazards

• Provide first aid for injuries
• Check for gas leaks (smell, hissing sounds)
• Look for electrical damage or sparks
• Inspect water lines and sewage systems
• Be prepared for aftershocks

Safety Assessment

• If your building is damaged, evacuate immediately
• Use stairs, never elevators
• Watch for falling debris when exiting buildings
• Stay away from damaged structures

Communication and Information

• Listen to emergency broadcasts on battery-powered radio
• Use text messages rather than phone calls when possible
• Check on neighbors, especially elderly and disabled individuals
• Report emergencies to local authorities

Long-term Recovery Steps

Document Damage

• Take photos of property damage for insurance claims
• Keep receipts for emergency supplies and temporary housing
• Contact your insurance company as soon as possible

Gradual Re-entry

• Have your home inspected by professionals before re-occupying
• Be cautious of structural damage not immediately visible
• Watch for contaminated water supplies
• Be patient with utility restoration

Family Emergency Planning

Communication Plan

Emergency Contacts

• Designate an out-of-state contact person
• Ensure all family members know contact information by heart
• Include work, school, and daycare emergency procedures
• Program emergency numbers into all cell phones

Meeting Places

• Identify primary and secondary meeting locations
• Choose locations both near your home and outside your neighborhood
• Practice routes to meeting places
• Ensure all family members know the plan

Special Considerations

Children and Earthquake Safety

• Teach children to recognize earthquake shaking
• Practice "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" regularly
• Create earthquake safety plans for school and after-school activities
• Keep comfort items and games in emergency kits

Elderly and Disabled Family Members

• Create specific evacuation plans
• Ensure emergency supplies meet special needs
• Arrange for neighbors or friends to check on them
• Keep extra medical supplies and equipment

Pet Preparedness

• Include pet food, water, and medications in emergency kits
• Ensure pets have proper identification
• Know which emergency shelters accept pets
• Have carriers or leashes readily available

Conclusion

Earthquake preparedness isn't just about having the right supplies—it's about creating a comprehensive safety culture in your home and community. While we can't predict when the next earthquake will strike, we can control how ready we are to protect ourselves and help others.

Start with the most critical safety measures: securing heavy furniture, creating emergency supply kits, and practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On with your family. Build your preparedness gradually but consistently, and remember that small improvements can make enormous differences when seconds count.

The investment you make in earthquake preparedness today could save lives—including your own—when the next earthquake strikes.

Want to evaluate your overall emergency readiness? Take our Redi Score assessment to get a personalized preparedness plan tailored to your family's specific needs and regional risks.