Shaking comes without warning, so practice one move now and secure heavy things at home. Drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck under a sturdy table if one is close, and hold on until the shaking stops.
With no table nearby, get low next to an inside wall and cover your head and neck with your arms. Stay inside, and do not stand in a doorway.
Before the shaking
- Move heavy items to low shelves, and anchor tall furniture and TVs to wall studs.
- Strap the water heater to wall studs with two metal straps.
- Keep at least 3 days of water (1 gallon per person per day) and food, a flashlight, a whistle and a wrench for the shutoffs.
- Most homeowners and renters policies do not cover earthquake damage, so ask your agent.
Wherever you are
- In bed, stay there, hold on and cover your head with a pillow.
- In a wheelchair, lock the wheels, stay seated and cover your head and neck.
- In a car, stop when it is safe, away from overpasses, poles and wires, and stay inside.
- Near the coast, a strong or long quake is a natural tsunami warning. Walk to high ground or inland once the shaking stops.
Right after
- Expect aftershocks, and drop, cover and hold on each time.
- Shut off the gas only if you smell or hear it, or see a broken line. Only the gas company can turn it back on.
- Text instead of calling, and message your out-of-area contact.
Free pages to print
Earthquakes guide
A short guide to securing the house and what to do when the shaking starts.
Our shutoffs
A blank single page you can print and fill in by hand.
Sources: Ready.gov, Earthquakes; CDC, Earthquake Safety; Earthquake Country Alliance; ShakeOut; FEMA; National Weather Service, Tsunami Alerts. Checked October 2026.
General information for families, not legal, medical or financial advice. In an emergency, follow local officials and call 911.
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