Hazard Checklist

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

A step-by-step checklist for securing your home, the Drop Cover Hold On response, and aftershock safety. Print it for your refrigerator or save it to your My Readiness dashboard.

42

U.S. states with earthquake risk

0 sec

warning time (no advance notice)

20,000+

earthquakes in the U.S. per year

72 hrs

minimum supply target

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

Gear

Key items for earthquake country. Start here.

A few focused items secure your home and keep your household safe when the ground moves.

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