Guide
Earthquake preparedness checklist
To prepare for an earthquake: secure heavy furniture and water heaters, keep at least three days of water (one gallon per person per day) and food, put a flashlight, first-aid kit and shoes by your bed, agree on a household meeting point, and turn on earthquake alerts on your phone.
1. Secure your space
- Anchor tall bookcases, shelves and televisions to wall studs.
- Strap the water heater to the wall. Learn where and how to shut off gas, water and electricity.
- Move heavy items to low shelves and keep beds away from windows and heavy mirrors.
2. Build a kit
- Water: at least one gallon per person per day, for three days or more.
- Food that keeps, a manual can opener, and any medications you take.
- Flashlight, spare batteries, a battery or hand-crank radio, a whistle, and a first-aid kit.
- Sturdy shoes and a flashlight next to every bed.
- Copies of key documents and some cash in small bills.
3. Make a plan
Agree where to meet if you are separated and choose an out-of-area contact everyone can text. Practise Drop, Cover and Hold On at home and at work. Many regions run a yearly ShakeOut drill you can join.
4. Turn on alerts
Android phones can receive Android Earthquake Alerts, which use phone sensors and, in some regions, national seismic networks. In the western U.S., ShakeAlert-powered alerts reach phones through Android and apps such as MyShake. Alerts give seconds of warning at best, so they supplement preparation rather than replace it.
5. Know your risk
Use our earthquakes by place pages to see how active the area around your city has been over the last five years. Past activity is not a forecast, but it is a useful reminder.