What to do During an Earthquake

What to do After an Earthquake

Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, and extra batteries at home.

Make a 72 hour kit for each family member & pets.

Learn first aid.

Learn how to turn off the gas, water, and electricity.

Make up a plan of where to meet your family after an earthquake.

Don't leave heavy objects on shelves (they'll fall during a quake).

Anchor heavy furniture, cupboards, and appliances to the walls or floor.

Learn the earthquake plan at your school or workplace.

Become a Volunteer.

Bolt or strap cupboards and bookcases to the walls and keep heavy objects on the lower shelves so they don’t fall on people.

Strap your water heater to a nearby wall. This will keep your gas water heater from falling on someone or starting a fire from a broken gas main.

Stay calm! If you're indoors, stay inside. If you're outside, stay outside.

Don't use matches, candles, or any flame. Broken gas lines and fire don't mix.

If you're in a car, stop the car and stay inside the car until the earthquake stops.

Don't use elevators (they'll probably get stuck anyway).

Check yourself and others for injuries. Provide first aid for anyone who needs it.

Check water, gas, and electric lines for damage. If any are damaged, shut off the valves. Check for the smell of gas. If you smell it, open all the windows and doors, leave immediately, and report it to the authorities (use someone else's phone).

Turn on the radio. Don't use the phone unless it's an emergency.

Stay out of damaged buildings.

Be careful around broken glass and debris. Wear boots or sturdy shoes to keep from cutting your feet.

Be careful of chimneys (they may fall on you).

Stay away from beaches. Tsunamis and seiches sometimes hit after the ground has stopped shaking.

Stay away from damaged areas.

If you're at school or work, follow the emergency plan or the instructions of the person in charge.

Expect aftershocks.

Make a place to meet and coordinate efforts. Set a regular meeting time every day so that neighbors have a place to congregate, comfort one another, and problem solve. Government and service agencies will want to know when they can access the most community members in one place. A set time each day lets individuals do what they need to do with their day planned around the timing of the community meeting and possibly Red Cross provided communal meal. In this phase everyone’s goal for the day: get fed, get safe shelter, and get to the meeting.