Secure your home in advance
- Anchor bookcases, cabinets, and your water heater to wall studs
- Install latches on cabinets to keep contents from flying out
- Move heavy items to low shelves and away from beds
- Know how to shut off gas, water, and electricity
During the shaking: Drop, Cover, Hold On
Drop to your hands and knees, take cover under a sturdy table, and hold on until the shaking stops. If there's no shelter, get next to an interior wall away from windows. Do not run outside during shaking — most injuries happen from falling objects.
Prepare for aftershocks
Aftershocks can follow for hours or days and may topple already-weakened structures. After the main quake, check for injuries and hazards, then expect and plan for more shaking.
Supplies that matter most
- Sturdy shoes and gloves near your bed for broken glass
- Two weeks of water, since mains often break
- A fire extinguisher and a way to detect gas leaks
- Cash, since power and card systems may be down for days
Know your seismic exposure
If you live in a seismic zone, home safety and water storage carry extra weight. Prepit weighs earthquake risk in your readiness score and prioritizes the fixes that protect your household most.