How to Prepare for an Earthquake: Complete Checklist

If you live in an earthquake-prone area, preparation can save your life. Here's your complete earthquake preparedness checklist based on FEMA and USGS guidelines.

Before an Earthquake: Home Preparation

Secure Heavy Items

Most earthquake injuries come from falling objects, not building collapse. Secure these items:

✓ Water Heaters
Strap to wall studs using metal strapping or earthquake straps. An unsecured water heater can tip over, causing gas leaks and fires. Cost: $20-40 for straps.

✓ Bookcases and Shelving
Use L-brackets to anchor tall furniture to wall studs. Move heavy items to lower shelves. One falling bookcase can cause serious injury or block exits.

✓ Televisions and Monitors
Use safety straps or museum putty to secure TVs, especially on high surfaces. Flat screens are heavy and can fall forward easily.

✓ Cabinets
Install latches on kitchen cabinets to prevent dishes from flying out. Spring-loaded or magnetic latches work best. Cost: $2-5 per latch.

✓ Pictures and Mirrors
Hang heavy pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, and exit paths. Use closed-eye hooks instead of open hooks. Consider earthquake putty for added security.

✓ Ceiling Fixtures
Check that ceiling fans and light fixtures are properly secured with safety cables.

Identify Safe Spots

Know where to take cover in each room:

• Best: Under sturdy desks or tables (not glass)
• Good: Against interior walls away from windows
• Avoid: Near windows, mirrors, hanging objects, tall furniture

NOT safe: Doorways are not safer than other locations in modern homes. This is an outdated myth.

Practice "Drop, Cover, Hold On"

The official earthquake safety procedure:

1. DROP to your hands and knees (prevents being knocked down)
2. COVER your head and neck under a desk or table
3. HOLD ON to your shelter and stay until shaking stops

Practice this quarterly with your family, especially children. Make it a game for kids so they remember what to do.

Emergency Supply Kit (72-Hour Minimum)

After a major earthquake, you may be without utilities, help, or supplies for 3+ days. Here's what you need:

Water

Amount needed: 1 gallon per person per day for 3 days (minimum)

• Store in original sealed containers
• Replace every 6 months
• Keep additional water for pets
• Consider water purification tablets as backup

Food

3-day supply of non-perishable food per person:

• Canned goods (vegetables, fruit, meat, soup)
• Energy bars and protein bars
• Dried fruit, nuts, and trail mix
• Peanut butter
• Crackers
• Baby food and formula (if applicable)
• Don't forget: Manual can opener!

First Aid Kit

• Adhesive bandages (various sizes)
• Gauze pads and rolls
• Adhesive tape
• Antiseptic wipes
• Antibiotic ointment
• Pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen)
• Scissors and tweezers
• Thermometer
• Prescription medications (7-day supply)
• Glasses or contacts (extra pair)
• Hearing aid batteries

Tools and Safety Items

• Flashlight and extra batteries (LED flashlights last longer)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA weather radio recommended)
• Whistle to signal for help (louder than shouting)
• Multi-tool or Swiss Army knife
• Duct tape and plastic sheeting (for sealing broken windows)
• Work gloves (for handling debris)
• Fire extinguisher (know how to use it: PASS method)
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
• Local maps (GPS may not work)

Documents (in Waterproof Container)

• Copies of insurance policies (home, auto, health)
• Identification documents (passports, driver's licenses)
• Bank account and credit card information
• Emergency contact list
• Photos of family members (for identification/reunification)
• Medical information (allergies, medications, conditions)
• Pet vaccination records

Communication and Money

• Phone charger and portable power bank
• Cash ($200-500 in small bills - ATMs may not work)
• Pre-paid phone card

Comfort and Hygiene

• Change of clothes for each person
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket per person
• Toiletries (toothbrush, soap, shampoo)
• Feminine hygiene products
• Diapers and baby wipes (if applicable)
• Toilet paper and paper towels
• Garbage bags (for waste and sanitation)
• Moist towelettes

Special Needs Items

• Infants: Formula, bottles, diapers, medications
• Elderly: Extra medications, denture supplies, hearing aid batteries
• Pets: Food, water, medications, carriers, leashes, litter/pads
• Prescription needs: Insulin with cooler, inhalers, EpiPens

Create a Family Communication Plan

Choose an Out-of-State Contact

During disasters, local phone lines are often overwhelmed, but long-distance calls may go through. Choose someone out-of-state as your family's communication hub.

Everyone should know:

• The contact person's name and phone number (memorize it!)
• When and how to check in after an earthquake
• That texts often work when calls don't

Identify Reunion Locations

Choose two meeting places:

1. Near your home: A tree, mailbox, or neighbor's house where family members can meet if they're home during the earthquake
2. Outside your neighborhood: A library, school, or community center in case you can't return home

Keep Emergency Contact Cards

Create wallet-sized cards with:

• Family members' names and phone numbers
• Out-of-state contact information
• Reunion locations
• Medical information and allergies

Know How to Shut Off Utilities

After an earthquake, you may need to shut off utilities to prevent fires, explosions, or electrocution.

Gas

⚠️ CRITICAL: Only turn off gas if:

• You smell gas (rotten egg smell)
• You hear gas hissing/escaping
• You see damage to gas lines

How to shut off:

1. Locate gas meter (usually outside)
2. Find the valve (perpendicular to the pipe)
3. Use a wrench to turn valve 90 degrees (perpendicular to pipe = OFF)
4. Important: Once off, only a professional can turn it back on

Keep a wrench near your gas meter.

Electricity

Turn off if:

• You see sparks
• You smell burning
• Wires are exposed

How to shut off:

1. Locate main electrical panel (breaker box)
2. Flip the main breaker to OFF position

Water

Turn off if:

• Pipes are broken
• Water is contaminated

How to shut off:

1. Locate main water valve (usually near street or where water enters house)
2. Turn clockwise to close

Label all shut-offs clearly so anyone can find them in an emergency.

Consider Earthquake Insurance

Important: Standard homeowners insurance does NOT cover earthquake damage.

Who Should Get Earthquake Insurance?

• You live within 25 miles of an active fault
• Your home was built before 1980
• Your home is on soft sediment or hillside
• You have significant equity in your home
• You couldn't afford to rebuild without insurance

Cost and Coverage

Typical costs: $800-$3,000/year depending on location and home value

Deductibles: Usually 10-25% of coverage amount (high!)

Coverage: Structure damage, personal property, temporary housing

Alternatives to Full Coverage

• Retrofit your home: Costs $3,000-$10,000 but reduces damage risk by 50%+
• Self-insure: Set aside money monthly in emergency fund
• California Earthquake Authority (CEA): State-backed program with lower rates

Special Considerations

For Renters

• Get renters insurance with earthquake coverage
• Ask landlord to secure water heater (they're legally required in California)
• Use museum putty to secure valuable items (doesn't damage walls)
• Know your building's evacuation plan

For Businesses

• Secure office equipment (computers, servers, filing cabinets)
• Back up critical data off-site or in cloud
• Create business continuity plan
• Train employees on earthquake procedures
• Identify essential personnel
• Get business interruption insurance

For Schools

• Practice earthquake drills monthly (required in California)
• Keep student emergency contact cards updated
• Stock emergency supplies in each classroom
• Train staff on first aid and crisis response
• Secure heavy items in classrooms and labs
• Have student reunion/release plan for parents

After Preparation: Maintenance Schedule

Every 6 Months

• Rotate water supply
• Check expiration dates on food
• Test flashlights and replace batteries
• Review family plan and contact information

Annually

• Practice full earthquake drill with family
• Update emergency contact list
• Review insurance coverage
• Check and tighten furniture straps
• Update documents in emergency kit

Download the Printable Checklist

The Bottom Line

Earthquake preparedness isn't about paranoia—it's about responsibility. Just like having car insurance or smoke detectors, earthquake preparedness is a sensible precaution if you live in a seismic zone.

The good news: Most earthquake injuries are preventable with proper preparation. You don't need to spend thousands of dollars or weeks of time. Start with the basics:

1. Secure your home (one weekend)
2. Build your emergency kit (one shopping trip)
3. Make your family plan (one family meeting)

Then practice and maintain. You'll sleep better knowing you're ready.

Additional Resources

• Earthquake FAQ - Common questions answered
• Earthquake Risk Calculator - Assess your location's risk
• Ready.gov Earthquakes - Federal preparedness guidelines
• Drop, Cover, Hold On - Official safety procedure