What to do during an earthquake

During an earthquake, drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck under a sturdy table or against an interior wall, and hold on until the shaking stops. Do not run outside and do not stand in a doorway. If you are on the coast and the shaking is strong or lasts more than 20 seconds, move to high ground as soon as it stops.

Drop, Cover, Hold On

Drop to your hands and knees. This keeps you from being knocked over and lets you crawl.
Cover your head and neck with your arms. If a sturdy desk or table is within a step or two, get under it. Otherwise crawl next to an interior wall, away from windows and anything that can fall.
Hold on to the shelter and move with it if it shifts. Stay put until the shaking stops.

If you are in bed

Stay there. Lie face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow. You are less likely to be hurt in bed than crossing a room with broken glass on the floor.

If you are in a car

Pull over to a clear spot, away from bridges, overpasses, power lines and buildings, set the parking brake and stay inside with your seatbelt on until the shaking stops. Drive on carefully afterwards and avoid damaged roads.

If you are outdoors

Move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights and utility wires, then drop, cover and hold on. The most common injuries outside come from falling debris near building walls.

If you are near the coast

If the shaking is strong, or lasts a long time, treat it as the tsunami warning and move inland or uphill right after it stops. Do not wait for an official siren. A tsunami from a nearby earthquake can arrive within minutes.

Myths to skip

Standing in a doorway. In modern buildings doorways are not stronger than the rest of the structure, and they do not protect you from falling objects.
Running outside. The distance between the door and the street is where falling facades and glass are most dangerous.
Using the elevator. Power can fail. Use the stairs once shaking has stopped.

After the shaking stops

Expect aftershocks and drop, cover and hold on again for each one. Check yourself and the people around you for injuries. If you smell gas or see damaged wiring, leave the building and report it from outside. Use text messages instead of calls so networks stay free for emergencies. See aftershocks and foreshocks and our preparedness checklist.