Earthquake Safety — What to Do Before, During, and After an Earthquake
Earthquakes can happen with little or no warning. You cannot control when one happens, but you can make simple choices that lower your risk.
This page covers basic earthquake safety before, during, and after shaking. It is general information only. During an emergency, always follow local officials, emergency services, and official warning systems.
What to Do Before an Earthquake
The best time to prepare is before anything is shaking.
Start with the things most likely to hurt people inside a home or workplace: falling objects, tipping furniture, broken glass, and blocked exits.
Useful steps include:
- Secure tall furniture, bookcases, and heavy cabinets to the wall.
- Move heavy objects to lower shelves.
- Keep beds away from windows where possible.
- Know the safest places in each room, such as under a sturdy table or desk.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight near your bed.
- Make a family or household emergency plan.
- Know how to contact each other if cell service is overloaded.
- Keep basic emergency supplies available.
You do not need to make everything perfect in one day. Even a few small fixes can reduce risk.
What to Do During an Earthquake
If you are indoors, the basic guidance is:
Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
Drop
Drop to your hands and knees so you are less likely to be knocked over.
Cover
Cover your head and neck. If you can, get under a sturdy table or desk. If there is no shelter nearby, move away from windows and protect your head and neck with your arms.
Hold On
Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops. If the table or desk moves, move with it.
Do not run outside while the building is shaking. Falling glass, bricks, signs, and other debris can be extremely dangerous near buildings.
If You Are Outdoors
Move away from buildings, trees, streetlights, utility wires, and anything that could fall. Once you are in an open area, stay there until the shaking stops.
If You Are Driving
Pull over when it is safe to do so. Avoid stopping under bridges, overpasses, trees, power lines, or signs. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking stops.
If You Are Near the Coast
If you are near the coast and feel strong or long-lasting shaking, move to higher ground as soon as it is safe. Do not wait for a warning if the shaking itself is strong enough to make standing difficult or lasts a long time.
Tsunamis are most often caused by large, shallow undersea earthquakes that move the seafloor vertically. Not every offshore earthquake creates a tsunami, but coastal areas should treat strong shaking as a natural warning sign.
What to Do After an Earthquake
After the shaking stops:
- Check yourself and others for injuries.
- Be prepared for aftershocks.
- Move carefully and watch for broken glass or debris.
- If you smell gas, leave the building and avoid flames or electrical switches.
- Stay away from damaged buildings.
- Follow local emergency instructions.
- Use text messages when possible to reduce pressure on phone networks.
If a building looks damaged, do not re-enter until it has been checked by someone qualified to assess it.
Why Doorways Are Not the Main Recommendation
You may have heard that standing in a doorway is safest during an earthquake. That advice is outdated for most modern buildings.
Doorways do not usually offer special protection from falling objects. You are generally safer getting low, covering your head and neck, and sheltering under sturdy furniture if possible.
Earthquake Early Warning
Earthquake early warning systems can sometimes send alerts before strong shaking arrives. These systems do not predict earthquakes. They detect an earthquake after it begins and use the first seismic waves to warn areas farther away.
In the western United States, ShakeAlert supports alerts in California, Oregon, and Washington. Alerts may come through systems such as the MyShake app, Android Earthquake Alerts, and Wireless Emergency Alerts.
Warning time can be very short, from less than a second to several seconds or more, depending on your distance from the earthquake.