What does Drop Cover and Hold On mean?

Drop to your hands and knees before the shaking knocks you down. Take Cover under a sturdy desk, table, or against an interior wall. Hold On to your shelter and be prepared to move with it until the shaking stops. This is the recommended protective action from earthquake.usgs.gov, Ready.gov, and the American Red Cross.

Should I stand in a doorway during an earthquake?

No. Standing in a doorway is no safer than any other part of a modern home and leaves you exposed to falling objects and swinging doors. The USGS and Ready.gov recommend Drop, Cover, and Hold On under a sturdy table or desk. The doorway myth comes from old unreinforced adobe construction where the door frame was sometimes the strongest part of the structure.

How do I know if my home has structural damage after an earthquake?

Look for cracks in the foundation, walls pulling away from the ceiling or floor, broken chimneys, and doors or windows that no longer open properly. If you see significant cracks, leaning walls, or if the building appears shifted on its foundation, evacuate and have it inspected by a structural engineer before re-entering.

Should I turn off the gas after an earthquake?

Only turn off the gas if you smell gas, hear hissing, or see a broken gas line. If you turn off the gas, leave it off until your gas company inspects and restores service. Ready.gov advises keeping a wrench near the gas meter so anyone in the household can shut it off quickly.

Do earthquakes only happen in California?

No. The USGS has identified 42 states with significant earthquake risk. The New Madrid Seismic Zone in the central U.S. (Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois) and the Cascadia Subduction Zone in the Pacific Northwest both pose major earthquake threats. South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Alaska also have notable seismic activity.

Earthquake Preparedness Checklist — Before, During & After an Earthquake

Phase 1

Before an earthquake. Secure it now. It will not wait.

Earthquakes strike without warning. There is no watch, no advisory, no forecast. Everything you do to prepare happens before the ground moves.

Secure Your Home

Anchor tall furniture (bookcases, dressers, file cabinets) to wall studs with furniture straps
Strap the water heater to the wall with seismic straps (required by code in many states)
Use museum putty under heavy items on shelves, TVs on stands, and fragile valuables
Install latches on cabinets to prevent doors from swinging open and spilling contents
Hang heavy pictures and mirrors away from beds and seating areas

Utilities and Structure

Learn to shut off gas, water, and electricity — practice the shutoff location and procedure
Keep an adjustable wrench attached near the gas meter for emergency shutoff
Consider a flexible gas line connector for appliances (reduces rupture risk during shaking)
If your home is on a raised foundation, check whether it is bolted to the foundation (retrofit if not)

Supplies and Go-Bag

Build a 72-hour emergency kit: water, food, medications, documents, flashlight, first aid, cash
Keep sturdy shoes and a flashlight under or next to every bed (broken glass is the most common post-earthquake injury at home)
Store a fire extinguisher on every floor (fires are a common secondary hazard after earthquakes)
Keep copies of IDs and insurance policies in a waterproof bag in the kit

Plan and Practice

Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On with every household member (including children)
Identify a safe spot in every room (under a sturdy table, next to an interior wall)
Choose a family meeting point outside the home in case you need to evacuate
Agree on an out-of-state contact person (local lines may be overloaded)

Phase 2

During an earthquake. Drop. Cover. Hold On.

Most earthquake injuries come from falling objects and flying debris, not from building collapse. Protecting your head and staying put is the safest action in almost every situation.

If You Are Indoors

DROP to your hands and knees before the shaking knocks you down
COVER your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk. If none available, crouch against an interior wall and cover your head
HOLD ON to your shelter until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with it
Do not run outside during shaking (most injuries occur from falling debris near building exits)
Do not stand in a doorway (this is a myth — doorways offer no special protection in modern construction)

If You Are Outdoors or Driving

Move to an open area away from buildings, power lines, and trees
Drop to the ground and protect your head and neck until the shaking stops
If driving, pull over to the side of the road, stop, and set the parking brake. Stay in the vehicle
Avoid stopping near or under overpasses, bridges, power lines, or buildings

Phase 3

After an earthquake. Expect aftershocks. Check for hazards.

Aftershocks can be strong enough to cause additional damage. Stay alert, check your home carefully, and be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On again.

Immediate Safety

Expect aftershocks — they can continue for days or weeks. Drop, Cover, and Hold On each time
Put on sturdy shoes before moving (broken glass is everywhere after a strong earthquake)
If you smell gas or hear hissing, open a window, leave immediately, and shut off the gas at the meter
Check for fires — small fires are common after earthquakes. Use a fire extinguisher if you can do so safely

Inspect and Document

Check for cracks in the foundation, walls, and chimney. If anything looks unstable, evacuate and do not re-enter
Photograph all damage before moving or cleaning anything for your insurance claim
If you are in a coastal area, move to high ground immediately — earthquakes can trigger tsunamis
Check on elderly neighbors and people who live alone
Register with FEMA for disaster assistance if your area receives a federal declaration

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Earthquake Preparedness Checklist. Secure your home. Know the drill.