Earthquake Safety Tips: What to Do Before, During & After

Drop, Cover, and Hold On — The Gold Standard

Drop, Cover, and Hold On is not just advice — it is the scientifically validated, internationally endorsed response to earthquake shaking. Developed from decades of research into earthquake injuries and deaths, this technique addresses the primary cause of earthquake casualties: being struck by falling and flying objects.

Studies across the United States, Japan, New Zealand, and Turkey consistently show that the majority of earthquake injuries come from objects falling off shelves and walls, furniture sliding across rooms, and people being knocked down by the shaking itself. Structural collapse, while catastrophic when it occurs, accounts for a relatively small percentage of earthquake injuries in countries with modern building codes.

This is why Drop, Cover, and Hold On works: it protects you from the most likely threats, not the most dramatic ones.

Earthquake Safety Myths Debunked

Misinformation about earthquake safety persists despite decades of research. These myths can be deadly if followed during an actual earthquake. Here are the most dangerous misconceptions and the truth behind each one.

Room-by-Room Safety Guide

Every room in your home presents different hazards during an earthquake. Knowing the specific risks in each space helps you respond correctly regardless of where you are when shaking begins.

Situation-Specific Safety

In an Elevator

If you are in an elevator when an earthquake strikes, press the button for every floor and exit at the first floor that opens. If the elevator becomes stuck, use the emergency call button or phone. Do not attempt to force the doors open or climb out of the elevator. Wait for rescue. Modern elevators have seismic safety systems that will stop the elevator and open the doors at the nearest floor after shaking is detected.

In a High-Rise Building

Upper floors experience more swaying motion than lower floors, but modern high-rises are designed to flex rather than collapse. Stay away from windows and exterior walls. Drop, Cover, and Hold On under a desk. Do NOT use elevators after the earthquake — use stairwells only. Be prepared for fire alarms and sprinkler activation, both of which are common after earthquakes in tall buildings even without fire.

At the Beach or Coast

If you feel strong shaking while at the beach, the earthquake itself is your tsunami warning. Drop, Cover, and Hold On during the shaking. As soon as the shaking stops, immediately move to high ground at least 100 feet above sea level or 2 miles inland. Do not wait for an official tsunami warning. If you see the ocean receding unusually, this is a natural warning sign — move to high ground immediately. Tsunamis can arrive within minutes of a local earthquake.

In a Stadium or Theater

Duck down between the seats and cover your head and neck. Do NOT rush for exits — stampede injuries are a serious risk in crowded venues. Wait until the shaking stops, then exit calmly using the designated routes. Avoid areas under balconies, large light fixtures, or scoreboards.

Near a Mountain or Cliff

Move away from steep slopes, cliff edges, and the bases of mountains. Earthquakes trigger rockfalls, landslides, and debris flows. If you hear rumbling or see dust clouds from a slope above you, move perpendicular to the direction of potential debris flow — not directly downhill, as debris flows follow gravity.

Do's and Don'ts Quick Reference

Post-Earthquake Actions

The minutes and hours after an earthquake require clear-headed, systematic action. Follow this priority sequence:

Priority 1: Personal Safety (First 2 Minutes)

• Check yourself for injuries. Apply first aid to any bleeding wounds.
• Put on sturdy shoes to protect against broken glass and debris.
• If trapped, tap on pipes or walls. Use a whistle or your phone's emergency whistle feature. Do NOT shout — you may inhale dangerous dust.

Priority 2: Immediate Hazards (Minutes 2-10)

• Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear hissing, open windows, leave the building, and shut off the main gas valve from outside. Do not use any electrical devices.
• Check for electrical damage. If you see sparking wires or smell burning insulation, turn off electricity at the main breaker.
• Check for small fires and extinguish if safe.
• Check for structural damage. If walls are cracked or the building appears unstable, evacuate calmly.

Priority 3: Communication (Minutes 10-30)

• Send your status to emergency contacts. Use text messages rather than voice calls.
• Turn on a battery-powered radio for emergency information.
• Check on neighbors, especially elderly, disabled, or those living alone.
• Do not tie up phone lines with non-emergency calls.

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Understanding and Surviving Aftershocks

Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that follow the mainshock. They can continue for days, weeks, or even months after a major earthquake. Some aftershocks can be large enough to cause additional damage, especially to structures already weakened by the initial earthquake.

The general rule is that the largest aftershock is typically about one magnitude unit smaller than the mainshock. After a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, you should expect aftershocks up to magnitude 6.0, which can still cause significant damage. The frequency of aftershocks decreases over time, but they can occur unpredictably.

Aftershock Safety Protocol

• Treat every aftershock with the same response: Drop, Cover, and Hold On
• Stay out of damaged buildings — aftershocks can cause weakened structures to collapse
• If you are in a damaged area, move to an open space if possible
• Keep your emergency kit accessible at all times during the aftershock period
• Sleep in shoes with a flashlight and phone within reach
• Re-check gas and water connections after significant aftershocks

Common Earthquake Injuries and First Response

Understanding the most common earthquake injuries helps you prepare your first aid kit and knowledge:

• Cuts and lacerations from broken glass and sharp debris — clean wounds thoroughly, apply pressure to stop bleeding, and bandage securely
• Crushing injuries from fallen furniture and debris — do not attempt to remove heavy objects if doing so could cause further injury; call for professional rescue
• Fractures from falls and impacts — immobilize the affected area, do not try to reset bones
• Head injuries from falling objects — monitor for signs of concussion (confusion, nausea, unequal pupils); seek medical help immediately for any head injury with loss of consciousness
• Dust inhalation — cover mouth and nose with cloth or mask; move to clean air
• Burns from fires, hot liquids, or electrical hazards — cool burns with clean water for at least 10 minutes; do not apply butter, oil, or ice

Utility Safety After an Earthquake

Gas

Natural gas leaks are among the most dangerous post-earthquake hazards. If you smell the distinctive sulfur-like odor (added to natural gas for detection), hear hissing near gas appliances or pipes, or see a broken gas line, evacuate immediately. Shut off the gas at the main meter using a wrench only if you can do so safely from outside. Do not turn the gas back on yourself — this must be done by your gas utility company after an inspection.

Electricity

If you see sparking, frayed wires, or smell burning, turn off the electricity at the main breaker. Do not touch downed power lines or anything in contact with them. If standing water is present, do not enter the area until power is confirmed off, as water conducts electricity. Report downed power lines to your electric utility immediately.

Water

If water pipes are broken, shut off the main water valve to prevent flooding and contamination. If you suspect water supply contamination, do not drink tap water until local authorities confirm it is safe. Use your emergency water supply or purify water from your water heater tank using your purification tablets.

Emergency Communication

Cell phone networks become quickly overloaded after an earthquake. Understanding how to communicate effectively during this congestion is critical:

• Text messages first: SMS requires far less bandwidth than voice calls and is more likely to get through congested networks
• Social media check-ins: Facebook Safety Check and similar features can inform a wide network with one action
• Out-of-area contact: Designate a family member or friend in a different region as a central contact point; local-to-local calls often fail when local-to-distant calls succeed
• Red Cross Safe and Well: Register at safeandwell.communityos.org to let people search for your status
• Emergency apps: Apps like Earthquake Network - Panic can send your location and status to multiple contacts with a single tap, bypassing the need to manually type and send individual messages

Long-Term Safety Measures

Earthquake safety is not a one-time effort. It requires ongoing attention and regular updates to your preparations, knowledge, and equipment.

Annual Safety Audit

• Walk through every room and re-check furniture anchoring and potential falling hazards
• Test flashlight batteries and replace as needed
• Rotate emergency food and water supplies (check expiration dates)
• Update emergency contact information on all cards and apps
• Review and update insurance coverage
• Verify that all family members remember Drop, Cover, and Hold On
• Practice evacuation routes and utility shutoff procedures

Community Preparedness

Individual preparedness is essential, but community preparedness multiplies its effectiveness. Know your neighbors. Identify anyone who may need assistance during an earthquake (elderly, disabled, families with young children). Share resources and skills. Participate in community emergency preparedness programs like the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill, which occurs annually on the third Thursday of October. Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training is available in many areas and teaches valuable search-and-rescue, fire safety, and first aid skills.

Stay Informed

Follow the USGS, your local emergency management agency, and organizations like the Earthquake Country Alliance for the latest earthquake safety information and alerts. Technology continues to improve earthquake early warning capabilities, and staying current ensures you benefit from the latest advances in seismic safety.

Stay Alert. Stay Safe. Stay Connected.

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This guide is based on recommendations from FEMA, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the American Red Cross, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Earthquake Country Alliance. Last updated March 2026. Always follow instructions from your local emergency management agency during an actual earthquake.