- If you are INDOORS -- STAY THERE! Get under a desk or table and hang on to it (Drop, Cover, and Hold on!) or move into a hallway or against an inside wall. STAY CLEAR of windows, fireplaces, and heavy furniture or appliances. GET OUT of the kitchen, which is a dangerous place (things can fall on you). DON'T run downstairs or rush outside while the building is shaking or while there is danger of falling and hurting yourself or being hit by falling glass or debris.
- If you are OUTSIDE -- get into the OPEN, away from buildings, power lines, chimneys, and anything else that might fall on you.
- If you are DRIVING -- stop, but carefully. Move your car as far out of traffic as possible. DO NOT stop on or under a bridge or overpass or under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs. STAY INSIDE your car until the shaking stops. When you RESUME driving, watch for breaks in the pavement, fallen rocks, and bumps in the road at bridge approaches.
- If you are in a MOUNTAINOUS AREA -- watch out for falling rock, landslides, trees, and other debris that could be loosened by quakes.
- If you are near the OCEAN - see these safety rules from NOAA's Tsunami Warning Center.
Learn More:
Related Content
What can I do to be prepared for an earthquake?
There are four basic steps you can take to be more prepared for an earthquake: Step 1: Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items. Step 2: Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency. Step 3: Organize disaster supplies in convenient locations. Step 4: Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents...
What emergency supplies do I need for an earthquake?
Fire extinguisherAdequate supplies of medications that you or family members are takingCrescent and pipe wrenches to turn off gas and water suppliesFirst-aid kit and handbookFlashlights with extra bulbs and batteriesPortable radio with extra batteriesWater for each family member for at least two weeks (allow at least 1 gallon per person per day) and purification tablets or chlorine bleach to...
What should I NOT do during an earthquake?
DO NOT turn on the gas again if you turned it off; let the gas company do it DO NOT use matches, lighters, camp stoves or barbecues, electrical equipment, appliances UNTIL you are sure there are no gas leaks. They may create a spark that could ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion and fire DO NOT use your telephone, EXCEPT for a medical or fire emergency. You could tie up the lines needed for...
What is the "Triangle of Life" and is it legitimate?
The "Triangle of Life" is a misguided idea about the best location a person should try to occupy during an earthquake. Based on observations of an earthquake in Turkey, the idea doesn't apply to buildings constructed within the United States. Drop, cover, and hold under a table or desk is still the best recommendation, according to the American Red Cross. Learn more: American Red Cross -...
What do I do AFTER an earthquake?
WEAR STURDY SHOESto avoid injury from broken glass and debris. Expect aftershocksCHECK FOR INJURIESIf a person is bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound, use clean gauze or cloth if availableIf a person is not breathing administer CPRDO NOT attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in further danger of injuryCOVER injured persons with blankets to keep warmSEEK medical help for...
What can I expect in my house when an earthquake occurs? How do I identify it? What can be done?
The contents of your home may be damaged and can be dangerous:Shaking can make light fixtures fall, refrigerators and other large items move across the floor, and bookcases and television sets topple over. IDENTIFY: Look around your house for things that could fall or move.Ask yourself if your cupboard doors could fly open (allowing dishes to shatter on the floor).Is TV and stereo fastened down...
Why should people in the eastern United States be concerned about earthquakes?
1) Severe earthquakes have occurred in the eastern U.S.: In November of 1755, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 6.0 and a maximum intensity of VIII occurred about 50 miles northeast of Boston, Massachusetts. Boston was heavily damaged. Other strong earthquakes recorded in the continental US were centered in southeastern Missouri near the border with Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee. In...
What are the Great ShakeOut earthquake drills?
The Great ShakeOut earthquake drills are based on scenario earthquakes that could effect the area if they were to actually take place. Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills are an annual opportunity for people in homes, schools, and organizations to practice what to do during earthquakes, and to improve preparedness. These events are made possible through a collaboration between several agencies...
Related Content
- FAQ
What can I do to be prepared for an earthquake?
There are four basic steps you can take to be more prepared for an earthquake: Step 1: Secure your space by identifying hazards and securing moveable items. Step 2: Plan to be safe by creating a disaster plan and deciding how you will communicate in an emergency. Step 3: Organize disaster supplies in convenient locations. Step 4: Minimize financial hardship by organizing important documents...
What emergency supplies do I need for an earthquake?
Fire extinguisherAdequate supplies of medications that you or family members are takingCrescent and pipe wrenches to turn off gas and water suppliesFirst-aid kit and handbookFlashlights with extra bulbs and batteriesPortable radio with extra batteriesWater for each family member for at least two weeks (allow at least 1 gallon per person per day) and purification tablets or chlorine bleach to...
What should I NOT do during an earthquake?
DO NOT turn on the gas again if you turned it off; let the gas company do it DO NOT use matches, lighters, camp stoves or barbecues, electrical equipment, appliances UNTIL you are sure there are no gas leaks. They may create a spark that could ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion and fire DO NOT use your telephone, EXCEPT for a medical or fire emergency. You could tie up the lines needed for...
What is the "Triangle of Life" and is it legitimate?
The "Triangle of Life" is a misguided idea about the best location a person should try to occupy during an earthquake. Based on observations of an earthquake in Turkey, the idea doesn't apply to buildings constructed within the United States. Drop, cover, and hold under a table or desk is still the best recommendation, according to the American Red Cross. Learn more: American Red Cross -...
What do I do AFTER an earthquake?
WEAR STURDY SHOESto avoid injury from broken glass and debris. Expect aftershocksCHECK FOR INJURIESIf a person is bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound, use clean gauze or cloth if availableIf a person is not breathing administer CPRDO NOT attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in further danger of injuryCOVER injured persons with blankets to keep warmSEEK medical help for...
What can I expect in my house when an earthquake occurs? How do I identify it? What can be done?
The contents of your home may be damaged and can be dangerous:Shaking can make light fixtures fall, refrigerators and other large items move across the floor, and bookcases and television sets topple over. IDENTIFY: Look around your house for things that could fall or move.Ask yourself if your cupboard doors could fly open (allowing dishes to shatter on the floor).Is TV and stereo fastened down...
Why should people in the eastern United States be concerned about earthquakes?
1) Severe earthquakes have occurred in the eastern U.S.: In November of 1755, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 6.0 and a maximum intensity of VIII occurred about 50 miles northeast of Boston, Massachusetts. Boston was heavily damaged. Other strong earthquakes recorded in the continental US were centered in southeastern Missouri near the border with Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee. In...
What are the Great ShakeOut earthquake drills?
The Great ShakeOut earthquake drills are based on scenario earthquakes that could effect the area if they were to actually take place. Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills are an annual opportunity for people in homes, schools, and organizations to practice what to do during earthquakes, and to improve preparedness. These events are made possible through a collaboration between several agencies...
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