Earthquake Safety Guide

Drop, Cover, and Hold On — what to do before, during and after an earthquake, plus emergency kit and family plan checklists.

Compiled from official emergency-management guidance (FEMA/Ready.gov, IFRC, WHO, national agencies) · Reviewed by the WND Editorial Team · Last reviewed:

Key action: During shaking: DROP to your hands and knees, take COVER under sturdy furniture protecting your head and neck, and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. Do not run outside during shaking.

Before the event

  • Identify safe spots in every room: under sturdy tables, against interior walls away from windows and heavy objects.
  • Secure heavy furniture, water heaters and televisions to walls; move heavy items to lower shelves.
  • Prepare a 72-hour emergency kit (water, food, torch, radio, first aid, medications, cash, documents).
  • Agree on a family plan: meeting points, an out-of-area contact person, and school/work reunification.
  • Know how to shut off gas, water and electricity in your home.
  • If you live in a seismic zone, ask about the building's earthquake resistance and retrofit options.
  • Practise Drop–Cover–Hold On drills twice a year with the whole household.

During the event

  • Indoors: Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Stay away from windows, mirrors and heavy furniture that can topple.
  • Stay inside until shaking stops — most injuries happen when people try to run out through falling debris.
  • In bed: stay there, cover your head and neck with a pillow.
  • No table nearby? Crouch against an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.
  • Outdoors: move to open ground away from buildings, power lines and trees, then Drop and Cover.
  • Driving: pull over away from bridges, overpasses and buildings; stay in the vehicle with seatbelt on.
  • Near the coast: if shaking is strong or lasts over 20 seconds, move to high ground immediately once it stops — do not wait for a tsunami warning.
  • In a wheelchair: lock the wheels, cover your head and neck (Lock–Cover–Hold On).

After the event

  • Expect aftershocks — Drop, Cover, Hold On each time. Aftershocks can collapse already-damaged buildings.
  • Check yourself and others for injuries; give first aid before moving lightly injured people.
  • If the building is damaged, evacuate calmly; use stairs, never lifts.
  • Smell gas? Open a window, leave immediately, shut off the main valve if safe, and report it from outside.
  • Wear sturdy shoes — broken glass causes many post-quake injuries.
  • Use SMS instead of calls to keep phone networks free for emergencies.
  • Listen to official radio/alerts for instructions before re-entering damaged areas.
  • Do not enter visibly damaged buildings until authorities declare them safe.

Emergency kit checklist

  • Water: 4 litres per person per day, minimum 3 days
  • Non-perishable food for 3+ days and a manual can opener
  • Torch + spare batteries (or hand-crank), battery/hand-crank radio
  • First-aid kit and 7 days of prescription medicines
  • Sturdy shoes and work gloves next to every bed
  • Whistle (to signal from rubble), dust masks
  • Power banks, cash in small notes, copies of documents in waterproof bag
  • Wrench for gas shut-off, fire extinguisher

Evacuation guidance

  • Evacuate only if the building is damaged, on fire, or authorities order it — otherwise sheltering at home is usually safer.
  • Take your kit and documents; wear sturdy shoes.
  • Follow marked routes; avoid bridges and elevated roads until inspected.
  • Coastal areas: evacuate to high ground on foot immediately after strong shaking.

What NOT to do

  • Do NOT run outside during shaking.
  • Do NOT stand in a doorway — modern doorways are no stronger than the rest of the house.
  • Do NOT use lifts during or after an earthquake.
  • Do NOT light matches or switches if you suspect a gas leak.
  • Do NOT drive unnecessarily — roads are needed by emergency services.
  • Do NOT believe "earthquake weather" or prediction rumours; earthquakes cannot be predicted.

Children, older people and people with disabilities

  • Practise drills with children so Drop–Cover–Hold On becomes automatic; keep comfort items in the kit.
  • Older people: keep walking aids, glasses and medicines within reach of the bed; arrange a check-in buddy.
  • People with mobility disabilities: Lock (wheels)–Cover–Hold On; plan two accessible exits from every room.
  • Hearing-impaired: subscribe to text-based alert services; keep pen and paper in the kit.

Pet safety

  • Include pet food, water, leash, carrier and vaccination records in your kit.
  • Frightened animals hide or bolt — keep carriers accessible and microchip data updated.
  • Never leave pets tied up during evacuation.

Frequently asked questions

Can earthquakes be predicted?

No. No scientific method can predict when an earthquake will occur. Early-warning systems in some countries can give seconds of notice after a quake starts, which is why automatic Drop–Cover–Hold On reflexes matter.

Is the "Triangle of Life" advice correct?

No — official agencies including USGS and the Red Cross reject it. Drop, Cover, and Hold On remains the recommended action in modern building environments.

How long do aftershocks continue?

Aftershocks can continue for days, months or even years after a large earthquake, decreasing in frequency over time. The largest typically occur within the first days.

Disclaimer: general guidance compiled from official emergency-management recommendations (FEMA/Ready.gov, IFRC, WHO and national agencies). It does not replace instructions from your local authorities. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.