Earthquakes

Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety

An earthquake is the sudden shaking of the earth, caused by the breaking and shifting of underground rock. Earthquakes can cause buildings to collapse and heavy items to fall, resulting in injuries and property damage. Earthquakes can:

Happen without warning
Damage roads
Cause tsunami and landslides

As Californians, we live in earthquake country. Almost everyone in the state lives within 15 miles of an active fault capable of creating earthquakes. To protect your family, home, or business, follow the seven steps to earthquake safety, before, during and after.

Earthquake Seismograph

Step 1: Secure your Space

Identify hazards such as unsecured televisions, bookcases, furniture, and water heaters.
Use Earthquake Country Alliance's guide and secure one item each weekend until you get everything done.
Consider installing earthquake shut-off valves for your natural gas.

Step 2: Plan to Be Safe

Create a family emergency plan
Know how you will communicate in an emergency
Before an earthquake, watch the Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills video series on how to protect yourself in various situations
Participate in Earthquake Warning California

Step 3: Create a Disaster Supply Kit

Use this supply list to create your kit.
Store your kit in a convenient location and make sure all family members know where it is.

Step 4: Minimize Financial Hardship

Keep identification, insurance cards, and contact phone numbers in a “Grab and Go” bag.
Contact your insurance agent and ask about earthquake insurance. It is typically not part of your homeowner’s insurance policy.

Step 5: Drop, Cover, and Hold On

During an earthquake, drop where you are onto your hands and knees
Cover your head and neck with one arm and hand
Crawl underneath a sturdy desk or table
If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall away from windows
If you are outside, drop then crawl towards open space if you can-stay away from buildings, power lines, and trees
Brace yourself until shaking stops

Step 6: Improve Safety

After the shaking stops check for injuries and damages.
Evacuate only if there is damage to the building.
Prepare for aftershocks and stay away from anything that looks like it may fall.
Shut off the gas if you smell or hear a gas leak.
Check on your neighbors and help those in need.
Use your NOAA Weather Radio to listen to local stations for emergency information.

Step 7: Reconnect and Recover

Take pictures of the damage to your property and home.
Contact your insurance agent right away to begin your claim.
Use Earthquake Country Alliance's Reconnect and Recover guide to get your life, home and routine back in order.