Earthquakes happen with little or no warning and can quickly put families at risk. Knowing how to prepare, respond, and recover makes the difference between chaos and calm. This guide gives clear, actionable steps you can use before, during, and after a seismic event. Read on for practical safety measures, a family emergency plan, a checklist for an earthquake kit, and communication and tool recommendations that help you stay ready and resilient.
What essential seismic safety steps should you take before an earthquake?
Taking a few proactive steps before a quake can cut injury and damage — and help your family recover faster. Key actions include making a simple emergency plan, securing your home, and assembling a ready-to-go earthquake kit. These measures reduce risk and give you confidence when an event occurs.
Research shows that knowing what drives household preparedness is essential for effective outreach and planning.
Factors Influencing Household Earthquake Preparedness
Earthquakes are among the most destructive natural hazards and can cause serious injury, long-term disability, or death. This study measured household earthquake preparedness and examined predictors using the Health Belief Model (HBM). Overall preparedness scores were low — about 30% on average. The analysis found perceived benefits, cues to action, and self-efficacy were significant predictors of whether households prepared. These factors should inform the design and delivery of future preparedness interventions.
Earthquake preparedness of households and its predictors based on health belief model, M Rostami-Moez, 2020
How do you create an effective earthquake emergency plan for your family?
- Involve all family members: Walk through the plan together so everyone knows their role and what to do if shaking starts.
- Identify meeting points: Pick at least two safe places to reunite — one near home and one outside the neighborhood in case you can't return.
- Agree on communication methods: Decide how you'll check in if you get separated — text, social apps, or a designated out-of-town contact are reliable options.
When everyone practices the plan, responses are faster and confusion is reduced. Run short drills and update the plan as circumstances change. For a deeper dive into household planning, see our guide to family emergency readiness.
How can you secure furniture, appliances, and utilities at home?
- Secure heavy furniture: Anchor bookcases, cabinets, and tall furniture to studs using brackets, straps, or earthquake anchors.
- Know how to shut off utilities: Learn where and how to turn off gas, water, and electricity to reduce leaks and fires after severe shaking.
- Use appliance safety straps: Fasten large appliances and water heaters so they won't tip or slide during a quake.
These steps reduce the chance of falling items and secondary hazards inside your home.
Beyond anchoring items, new approaches are exploring how everyday furniture can double as protective shelter during strong quakes.
Lifeshell: Innovative furniture that provides earthquake shelter
Earthquakes are unpredictable and can be deadly. While anti-seismic building techniques help, widespread adoption is limited by cost, logistics, and regulation. As a result, many areas remain at risk. The Lifeshell concept proposes wooden furniture designed to act as a low-cost, natural-based, open-source shelter during quakes. Released under a Creative Commons licence, Lifeshell uses cross-laminated timber panels to form desks, wardrobes, tables, or beds that can protect an occupant during shaking. The idea is a practical, low-cost complement where structural retrofits aren't feasible.
Cross Laminated Timber furniture providing shelter during earthquakes.
Lifeshell public domain release, A Ceccotti, 2022
Mountain Ready offers purpose-built survival gear to support your earthquake preparedness — from grab-and-go emergency kits to heavy-duty straps and first-aid essentials designed for real-world use.
What should you do during an earthquake to stay safe?
How you react in the moment matters. The most reliable action indoors and outdoors is the "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" method. Follow it, stay calm, and protect your head and body from falling debris.
How does the "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" technique protect you indoors and outdoors?
- Drop: Get down on your hands and knees so you don't get knocked over.
- Cover: Move under a sturdy table or desk and protect your head and neck. If no cover is available, curl into an inside corner away from windows and shelter your head with your arms.
- Hold On: Grip your shelter and be ready to move with it until the shaking stops.
This approach minimizes injury from falling or flying objects and creates a small, protected space around you. Understanding the rule of 3s in survival helps you prioritize your immediate needs when shaking stops.
What are the safety protocols for vehicles and outdoor environments during quakes?
- If driving: Pull over safely away from overpasses, bridges, power lines, and large trees. Stay in the vehicle until shaking stops.
- In open areas: Move to a clear spot away from buildings, trees, and utility wires.
- Avoid hazards: Stay clear of structures that might collapse and watch for falling debris.
Following these protocols helps keep you safe no matter where you are when shaking begins. Consider keeping an emergency car kit in your vehicle for extended roadside situations.
Mountain Ready carries compact, weather-resistant emergency kits and outdoor safety gear to help you stay ready when you're away from home.
How do you respond after an earthquake to recover and stay resilient?
After the shaking stops, move intentionally: check for injuries, assess damage, and decide whether it's safe to stay or evacuate. Clear communication and calm actions speed recovery.
What are the key steps for first aid and injury management after a seismic event?
- Basic first aid: Use your kit to treat minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises. Clean wounds, apply dressings, and monitor for infection.
- When to get professional help: Seek immediate medical care for heavy bleeding, suspected broken bones, head injuries, trouble breathing, or loss of consciousness.
- Manage injuries: Keep injured people warm and still, reassure them, and avoid moving anyone with suspected spinal injury unless there's an immediate danger.
A well-stocked first-aid kit and basic training can make a big difference in those first hours. For severe trauma scenarios, review guidance on advanced first aid when medical help isn't coming.
How should you assess structural damage and plan safe evacuation?
- Look for signs of damage: Check for new cracks in walls and foundations, sagging roofs, or doors and windows that no longer fit their frames.
- Plan evacuation: If damage is severe or you smell gas, leave immediately and move to a predetermined meeting point. Grab your go bag on the way out if it's safe to do so.
- Follow local guidance: Listen for official instructions via radio or emergency apps before returning to your home.
When in doubt, err on the side of caution and wait for a professional inspection. Keeping a bug-in plan alongside your evacuation plan helps you adapt to different scenarios.
What should you include in your earthquake emergency kit?
A complete earthquake kit combines water, food, first aid, and tools that help you survive 72 hours or more without outside help. Pack essentials in sturdy, portable containers so they're ready when you are.
How much water do you need and what are the best filtration options?
- Minimum storage: Store at least one gallon per person per day for three days — enough for drinking and basic hygiene.
- Portable water filters: A quality filter bottle or squeeze system lets you safely use questionable water sources in the field. Brands like Sawyer, LifeStraw, and Grayl offer trusted options.
- Water purification tablets: Lightweight and easy to store, chemical treatment tablets treat water quickly when boiling or filtering isn't an option.
- Storage containers: Keep durable, food-grade containers on hand to store clean water for short-term use. Our guide to water storage containers breaks down barrel and tank options.
Combining storage with a reliable filter or treatment method gives you redundancy for safe drinking water. For a complete system approach, see The Water Matrix guide.
The urgent need for drinkable water after disasters has driven development of low-cost purification systems used in humanitarian relief.
Emergency Water Purification for Disaster Relief
After a natural disaster, getting safe drinking water to affected people is a top priority. Low-cost purification systems that work for both immediate response and longer-term needs are especially useful in these situations. The University of Hawaii evaluated three low-cost water purification technologies intended for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) missions to fill that gap.
Evaluation of low cost water purification systems for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR), 2013
What emergency food supplies and first aid items should you prioritize?
- Emergency food: Pick calorie-dense, shelf-stable items — energy bars, canned goods, and freeze-dried meals are good choices. ReadyWise offers long-shelf-life options designed for emergencies.
- First-aid components: Stock adhesive bandages, sterile gauze, antiseptic wipes, tape, scissors, and any personal prescriptions. Explore first aid supplies to round out your kit, and don't overlook prescription medications.
- Shelf-life planning: Check expiry dates regularly and replace items to keep your kit current. Our article on survival foods that can outlive you identifies the longest-lasting staples.
Choosing durable, easy-to-prepare items makes day-to-day life easier if you're displaced or without power. For budget-conscious stockpiling, review how to stockpile food on a tight budget.
Mountain Ready specializes in field-tested emergency kits and survival gear assembled to help you stay self-reliant when it matters most.
How can families develop an effective earthquake communication and meeting plan?
Clear communication and agreed meeting locations reduce panic and speed reunification. A simple plan, practiced occasionally, keeps everyone on the same page when a quake happens.
What are best practices for emergency contacts and meeting points?
- Who to include: Add immediate family, close neighbors, and a reliable out-of-area contact who can relay messages.
- How to communicate: Prioritize text messages and social media for non-urgent status checks; designate one person to call in an emergency if phone lines are congested. For grid-down situations, two-way radios offer reliable backup communication.
- Meeting points: Choose safe, accessible spots near home and a secondary site away from the neighborhood in case you can't return.
Keep contact info printed and stored digitally so everyone can access it even if phones fail. Our guide to off-grid communication methods covers options when cell networks are down.
How do you include pets and important documents in your plan?
- Pet supplies: Pack food, water, meds, leashes, and a carrier. Include familiar items to calm pets during stressful moves. Pet-specific first aid mods can address animal injuries in the field.
- Documents: Store copies of IDs, insurance, and medical records in a waterproof, fireproof container or encrypted cloud backup.
- Plan for needs: Knowing your pets' and documents' locations reduces stress and speeds decisions during an evacuation.
Accounting for pets and paperwork makes your plan more complete and much easier to carry out under pressure.
Mountain Ready provides checklists, storage solutions, and pet-friendly gear to help families plan and practice effectively.
Which tools and technologies make earthquake preparedness more effective?
Technology can extend your reach and provide crucial information when infrastructure is strained. Choose durable, proven tools that match your likely scenarios.
What communication devices and navigation tools should you have?
- Two-way radios: Reliable when cell networks are down and useful for local coordination. Learn the differences between FRS, GMRS, CB, and ham radios.
- Emergency apps: Install apps that send real-time alerts and safety guidance for your area.
- GPS devices: A handheld GPS or offline maps help with navigation if roads are closed or signage is gone. Browse navigation tools for field-ready options.
Redundancy is key — combine digital tools with paper backups and battery-powered options.
How do power banks and lighting systems support post-earthquake needs?
- Portable power banks: Keep charged units to power phones, radios, and small devices during outages. EcoFlow power banks and portable chargers offer reliable backup power.
- Solar lights: Solar lanterns and chargers provide sustainable illumination when the grid is down.
- Battery lanterns: Have battery-operated lanterns and spare batteries for reliable, long-lasting light.
Layering power solutions — solar, battery, and manual — keeps essentials running when you need them most. For extended outages, explore solar generators and battery backup systems.
Mountain Ready stocks rugged power and lighting options built for field use and extended outages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I include in my earthquake emergency kit for pets?
Include food and water for at least a few days, any medications, a leash, muzzle if required, and a carrier for transport. Add a familiar blanket or toy to reduce stress, keep ID tags current, and store copies of vaccination and medical records in your kit.
How can I stay informed about earthquake risks in my area?
Follow local geological and emergency-management sites, sign up for community alert systems, and install trusted emergency apps that push seismic alerts. Joining neighborhood preparedness groups and attending local trainings improves situational awareness.
What are the best practices for securing heavy appliances in my home?
Anchor refrigerators, washing machines, and water heaters with straps or brackets to studs. Place heavy appliances on stable, level floors and avoid storing heavy objects on top. Inspect anchors and straps periodically to ensure they remain secure.
How can I prepare my children for an earthquake?
Teach kids the "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" routine with short, regular drills. Keep a child-friendly emergency kit with snacks and a comfort item, explain the family plan simply, and encourage questions so they feel more confident and less scared.
What role do community resources play in earthquake preparedness?
Local organizations offer training, workshops, and drills that strengthen individual and neighborhood readiness. Community programs can coordinate resources, share evacuation routes, and support vulnerable neighbors — making everyone safer when a quake hits. Learn more about building a survival community.
How can I assess the structural integrity of my home after an earthquake?
Look for new or widening cracks in walls, ceilings, and foundations, doors or windows that won't open, and signs of shifting. If you see significant damage or feel unsure, have a licensed structural engineer inspect your home before reoccupying it.
Conclusion
Preparing for earthquakes protects lives and speeds recovery. Build a simple family plan, secure your living space, and assemble a reliable emergency kit — then practice the steps until they become second nature. Use the advice and gear here to start small and build confidence: every measure you take increases your household's resilience. For a complete framework, explore The 12 Pillars of Preparedness to round out your plan. Begin today by checking your kit and reviewing your plan with everyone in your household.
