Earthquake Preparedness at Home: Drop, Cover, Hold On and Reduce Falling Hazards

What to do during an earthquake

When the ground starts shaking, drop onto your hands and knees, cover your head and neck, and hold on to shelter until the shaking stops. This is called Drop, Cover, and Hold On, and it’s the action recommended by federal safety agencies for most earthquake situations. The goal is simple: protect yourself from falling or flying objects and from being knocked off your feet, since collapsing building materials and falling items like bookcases, cabinets, and heating units cause most earthquake injuries.

Warning signs to watch for right away

Some situations need immediate action, before or right after you take cover.

• You smell gas or hear hissing: Leave the area and get outside if you can do so safely. Do not use light switches, matches, or anything that could spark.
• You see sparking wires or downed power lines: Stay away from them and keep others away, including pets.
• The building has visible structural damage: If you’re in a damaged building, go outside and quickly move away from it. Do not enter damaged buildings.
• You’re near the coast and shaking lasted 20 seconds or longer: Move to higher ground immediately in case a tsunami follows. Don’t wait for an official warning.

Step-by-step: Drop, Cover, and Hold On

1. Drop onto your hands and knees immediately. This keeps you from being knocked down and lets you still move if needed.
2. Cover your head and neck, and your whole body if possible, under a sturdy table or desk. No shelter nearby? Get down near an interior wall, away from windows, and cover your head and neck with your arms.
3. Hold on to your shelter, or to your own head and neck, until the shaking fully stops. If your shelter moves, move with it.

If you’re already in bed when the shaking starts, staying put and covering your head with a pillow can be safer than trying to get up and move across the room.

Which rooms and spots are safer

Most earthquake deaths and injuries come from collapsing building materials and heavy falling objects, such as bookcases, cabinets, and heating units. Walk through your home now and identify a safe spot in each room, before an earthquake happens.

• Under a sturdy table or desk, away from exterior walls
• Against an interior wall, away from windows, tall furniture, and hanging items
• Away from kitchens, since cabinets and appliances can shift or open during shaking
• Away from fireplaces and chimneys, which can crack or shed debris

Reduce falling hazards before an earthquake happens

Securing heavy items in advance is one of the most effective, lowest-cost things a household can do. Walk through each room and look for anything that could move, fall, or break.

• Bookcases and tall furniture: Anchor them to wall studs with L-brackets or furniture straps. Keep the heaviest items on lower shelves.
• Cabinets: Add sliding bolts or childproof latches so doors don’t fly open and spill contents.
• Water heater and large appliances: Secure with metal strapping or braided wire, and strap the water heater to nearby wall studs.
• Mirrors and pictures: Move heavy ones away from beds, chairs, and other spots where people sit or sleep. Anchor the rest with wire through eye screws bolted into studs.
• Glass planters and breakables: Swap heavy hanging planters for lightweight ones, and store poisons or solvents in a secure, ventilated spot away from water storage.
• Chimney and roof: Have loose tiles or bricks repaired so they don’t come down during shaking.

A well-stocked emergency gear kit and a basic understanding of your home’s structure go a long way here. If you rent or aren’t sure how to assess your home’s framing, your local building code office can point you to information or qualified contractors.

Shoes and glass: why footwear matters after shaking

Broken glass, dishes, and debris are common after an earthquake, even in a home that looks mostly fine. Keep sturdy, closed-toe shoes near your bed and in your emergency kit so you’re not walking barefoot across broken glass or nails in the dark. Heavy work gloves are worth keeping on hand too, for clearing debris safely once the shaking stops.

Utilities: what to check, and what to leave to a professional

Know ahead of time where your gas, electric, and water shutoffs are located, and make sure responsible household members know how to use them. This is something to plan and label in advance, not figure out during an emergency.

• If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, shut off the gas at the main valve only if you know how, then leave the area.
• Don’t turn the gas back on yourself. That step needs a utility professional.
• If wiring or appliances are damaged and you see sparks or smell something burning, shut off electricity at the main breaker if it’s safe to reach.
• Avoid open flames or anything that could spark until you’re sure there’s no gas leak.

Staying in touch after the shaking stops

Phone networks are often overloaded right after an earthquake, even when texts still get through. Agree on a plan with your household ahead of time.

• Pick an out-of-area contact everyone can check in with, since long-distance calls sometimes connect faster than local ones.
• Use text messages before voice calls to free up the network for emergency responders.
• Set an outdoor meeting spot in case household members are separated or need to evacuate.
• Expect aftershocks. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On again if you feel more shaking.

Extra caution for specific groups

• People using a cane: Drop, Cover, and Hold On, or sit and cover your head and neck with both hands. Keep the cane close so it’s ready once shaking stops.
• People using a walker or wheelchair: Lock the wheels if possible, get as low as you safely can, and cover your head and neck with your arms, a book, or a pillow.
• Children: Practice the drill with them so the response becomes automatic, and make sure they know your household’s reunification plan.
• Anyone in a damaged building: Get outside and move away from the structure. Don’t go back in until it’s been checked by a professional.

Home earthquake readiness checklist

• Identify a safe spot in every main room of the house
• Anchor bookcases, cabinets, and tall furniture to wall studs
• Strap the water heater and secure large appliances
• Move heavy mirrors and pictures away from beds and seating
• Label and locate gas, water, and electric shutoffs
• Keep sturdy shoes and gloves within reach of where you sleep
• Store at least three days of emergency food and water per person
• Pack a grab-and-go kit in case you need to evacuate, like the ones covered in our bug out bag guides
• Agree on an out-of-area contact and a meeting spot with your household
• Practice the Drop, Cover, and Hold On drill at least once a year

Evidence limits

This article covers general household preparedness based on current guidance from Ready.gov and the CDC. It can’t account for your specific home’s construction, local seismic risk, or individual medical and mobility needs. It also can’t guarantee safety in any given earthquake. For structural questions, contact your local building code office or a licensed contractor. For medical concerns tied to a disability or health condition, talk with a qualified clinician about a plan that fits your situation.

FAQ

Should I run outside during an earthquake?

No. If you’re indoors, stay indoors and Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Moving toward an exit during shaking increases your risk of being hit by falling objects. If you’re already outside, move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines, and stay there until the shaking stops.

Is a doorway the safest place to be?

In most modern homes, no. That advice goes back to older construction styles where the door frame was the sturdiest part of the structure. In typical wood-frame and modern buildings, a sturdy table or an interior wall away from windows and tall furniture offers better protection.

How much emergency water and food should a household keep on hand?

Guidance from the CDC recommends storing enough supplies, including water and food, to last at least three days. Some households choose to store more depending on their situation and local risk.

What should I do if I’m trapped after an earthquake?

Stay calm and try to signal for help without shouting, since dust can make breathing harder. Send a text if you can, or tap on a pipe, wall, or other hard surface, or use a whistle if you have one, so responders can locate you.

This article is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional structural, medical, or emergency management advice. For guidance specific to your home or health, consult a qualified professional.