Guide
Earthquake Safety: What to Do Before, During and After
By the GlobalRisk team · Published 2026-10-06
This guide summarizes widely published advice from disaster-management agencies. It is general information, not a substitute for instructions from your local authorities.
Before an earthquake
- Secure heavy items. Anchor tall furniture, water heaters and televisions to walls. Keep heavy objects on low shelves.
- Know your safe spots. Identify sturdy tables or desks to shelter under, and places away from windows, mirrors and heavy shelving.
- Prepare a kit. Water, food, a flashlight, a battery or hand-crank radio, first-aid supplies, medications, and copies of important documents.
- Make a plan. Agree how family members will contact one another and where you will meet if separated.
During shaking: Drop, Cover, Hold On
- Drop to your hands and knees so you cannot be knocked over.
- Cover your head and neck with your arms, and shelter under a sturdy table if one is nearby.
- Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops.
- If you are in bed, stay there and protect your head with a pillow.
- If you are outdoors, move away from buildings, power lines and trees into the open.
- If you are driving, pull over somewhere clear and stay inside the vehicle.
- Do not run outside during shaking and do not stand in doorways, which are not safer than other spots in modern buildings.
After an earthquake
- Expect aftershocks. Smaller quakes often follow a large one for days or weeks. Drop, Cover and Hold On each time.
- Check for injuries and hazards. Look for gas leaks, damaged wiring and structural damage. If you smell gas, leave and report it.
- Use text messages rather than calls so networks stay free for emergencies.
- If you are near the coast and the shaking was strong or long, move immediately to high ground or inland without waiting for an official warning. Tsunamis can arrive within minutes.
- Follow guidance from local authorities and use official channels for updates.
To understand the size of a reported quake, read Earthquake Magnitude Explained.
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- GDACS Alert Levels Explained: Green, Orange and Red
- Tropical Cyclone Categories Explained: Hurricanes, Typhoons and the Saffir-Simpson Scale
- How Satellites Detect Wildfires: A Plain-Language Guide to Thermal Hotspots
- The Pacific Ring of Fire: Why So Many Earthquakes and Volcanoes Cluster Here
General information only, not professional or emergency advice. Our methodology · Browse by country