Earthquake Preparedness Checklist: Step-by-Step Seismic Safety

Securing Furniture and Heavy Items

The leading cause of earthquake injuries is not building collapse but falling objects. Bookshelves, televisions, water heaters, refrigerators, and heavy wall decorations become dangerous projectiles during seismic shaking. The ShakeOut earthquake drill organization estimates that properly secured furniture prevents up to 80% of non-structural earthquake injuries. Securing your home's contents is the single highest-impact preparedness action you can take, and it costs far less than most people assume.

Start by anchoring every tall bookcase and shelving unit to wall studs using L-brackets or anti-tip straps rated for the furniture's weight. Secure flat-screen televisions to the wall or furniture with anti-tip straps designed specifically for TVs. Move heavy items from high shelves to lower shelves or floor level. Place non-slip rubber mats under electronics and small appliances to prevent them from sliding off countertops. Install seismic strapping brackets on your water heater, which is required by building code in many earthquake-prone regions and costs under $20 in materials. Our home emergency kit guide includes additional recommendations for household earthquake hardening.

Gas Shutoff Procedures and Emergency Tools

Gas leaks and subsequent explosions are a major secondary hazard following earthquakes. In the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, more property damage was caused by fires from broken gas lines than by the shaking itself. Even minor earthquakes can cause pipe joints to separate, creating slow leaks that accumulate in enclosed spaces until they reach explosive concentrations. Every household must know how to locate their gas meter, how to shut off the supply, and when this action is appropriate.

Keep a dedicated gas shutoff wrench permanently stored near your gas meter. The valve is located on the pipe entering the meter, and you turn it a quarter turn so the handle sits perpendicular to the pipe. Practice this action before an emergency so you are not fumbling with tools under stress. Shut off the gas if you smell a rotten egg odor, hear hissing near gas lines, or see visible damage to gas piping. Never attempt to turn the gas back on yourself; wait for a licensed technician to inspect and restore service. Include the gas wrench in your 72-hour survival kit alongside other essential tools.

Structural Assessment After Shaking Stops

Once the ground stops moving, you face a critical decision: stay in your home or evacuate. Performing a basic structural assessment helps you make an informed choice. Walk around the exterior of your home and look for large cracks in walls wider than a quarter inch, a foundation that appears shifted or tilted, doors and windows that no longer fit their frames, and any visible leaning, bowing, or buckling of walls. Inside, check for cracks that run through drywall from floor to ceiling, sloping floors, and gas or water leaks.

If you observe any of these warning signs, evacuate immediately to an open area away from the structure, power lines, and trees. Do not re-enter until a qualified building inspector or structural engineer has cleared the building. Even if your home appears undamaged, shut off the water main if you suspect pipe damage to prevent flooding, and turn off electrical breakers if you smell burning or see sparks. Keep a small flashlight, sturdy shoes, and your home evacuation checklist stored in an accessible location so you can perform this assessment quickly and safely.

Drop, Cover, and Hold On Drills

The recommended protective action during earthquake shaking is Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Drop to your hands and knees to prevent being knocked over. Take cover under a sturdy desk, table, or other heavy furniture to protect your head and torso from falling debris. Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops. This technique has been proven effective through decades of earthquake research and is recommended by FEMA, the Red Cross, and seismologists worldwide.

Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On drills with your entire family at least twice a year. Time how long it takes each person to reach a safe location from wherever they typically are in the house, including bedrooms, the kitchen, and the yard. If any family member takes longer than 60 seconds, identify ways to improve the route or add additional shelter points. Children should practice at school, but reinforcing the drill at home builds muscle memory that works across all environments. Our emergency preparedness checklist includes drill scheduling reminders.

Emergency Shutoff Tools and Supplies

Beyond the gas wrench, your earthquake preparedness toolkit should include several critical shutoff and safety tools. A fire extinguisher rated for Class A, B, and C fires handles the most common post-earthquake fire scenarios. Keep at least one on each floor of your home, with additional units in the kitchen and garage. Fire extinguishers should be inspected annually and replaced or recharged according to the manufacturer's schedule.

Pack a sturdy adjustable wrench and a pair of pliers in your emergency tool kit for manipulating valves and shutoff mechanisms. Include a multi-tool for cutting, prying, and screwdriving tasks. Heavy-duty work gloves protect your hands when handling debris or operating shutoff valves. A battery-powered smoke and carbon monoxide detector provides early warning of gas leaks or fire. Install combination smoke and CO detectors on every level of your home and test them monthly. Learn more about detector placement and maintenance in our carbon monoxide detector guide and smoke alarm maintenance guide.

Post-Earthquake Inspection Checklist

In the immediate aftermath of an earthquake, a systematic inspection prevents additional injuries and property damage. Begin by checking yourself and household members for injuries. Administer first aid to anyone who is hurt, and keep injured individuals warm and as comfortable as possible. Next, put on sturdy closed-toe shoes and an N95 dust mask before moving through your home. Broken glass, nails, and debris can cause serious injuries to unprotected feet, and dust from damaged building materials poses respiratory risks.

Inspect each room systematically: check for gas leaks by smelling for the rotten egg additive in natural gas, look for electrical damage such as sparking wires or the smell of burning insulation, and examine walls and ceilings for new cracks or signs of shifting. If you find water damage, shut off the main water valve to prevent flooding. If the power is still on but you suspect electrical damage, shut off the main breaker. Document all damage with photographs for insurance purposes before you begin any cleanup. Place your complete emergency supplies in a visible, accessible location so all family members know where to find them during the inspection.

Insurance Considerations and Documentation

Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies in the United States typically exclude earthquake damage. If you live in a region with seismic risk, you need either a standalone earthquake insurance policy or an earthquake endorsement added to your existing homeowners policy. These policies typically carry separate deductibles ranging from 10% to 25% of the dwelling coverage amount, meaning you will pay a significant portion of repairs out of pocket before coverage begins.

Before an earthquake strikes, create a comprehensive home inventory with photographs or video of every room, including the contents of closets, cabinets, and storage areas. Store this inventory on a cloud service and on an encrypted USB drive in your emergency kit. Keep copies of insurance policies, mortgage documents, and identification in a waterproof, fireproof container. After an earthquake, photograph all damage before moving or cleaning anything, as these images are essential for insurance claims. Our disaster preparedness plan provides a complete document protection strategy.

Neighborhood Coordination and Community Response

Professional emergency responders may not reach your neighborhood for hours or even days following a major earthquake. Neighbors who coordinate in advance can provide critical mutual aid during this gap. Introduce yourself to at least three nearby households and exchange phone numbers. Identify which neighbors have medical training, construction skills, or access to tools like generators, chainsaws, or heavy equipment. Agree on a neighborhood meeting point where you can gather, share information, and coordinate response efforts after an earthquake.

Consider joining or starting a Community Emergency Response Team in your neighborhood. FEMA's CERT program provides free training in basic disaster response skills including fire suppression, light search and rescue, team organization, and medical operations. CERT volunteers are not first responders but rather trained community members who can bridge the critical gap between when an earthquake occurs and when professional help arrives. This training, combined with the supplies and checklist items outlined in this guide, creates a comprehensive preparedness posture for your entire neighborhood. Visit our 72-hour kit checklist PDF for a printable version you can share with neighbors.