Earthquake Safety: Everything You Need to Know

Understanding earthquake safety could be the difference between surviving through these natural disasters.

An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the earth’s plates. It is caused by the underground rocks shifting. Deaths and injuries happen when individuals fall trying to move around, such as walking or running, during the event or when falling objects and debris hit them. Aftershocks are minor earthquakes that typically follow the mainshock, the largest earthquake in the sequence. 

Earthquakes can result in fires, tsunamis, landslides, and extreme damage to properties, roads, utilities, and more. These natural disasters can occur anywhere (though they are more common in various regions) and at any time; unfortunately, there is no way to predict them. 

However, the good news is families and individuals can take action now to prepare for them. Preparing for an earthquake and learning all you can about earthquake safety can keep you, your loved ones, and your house safe.

Planning, preparation, understanding, and practice are crucial to surviving a large earthquake. Learn what you can do to prepare for these natural disasters and how to keep yourself and the people you love safe before, during, and after an earthquake below.

Earthquake Safety Measures: What To Do Before an Earthquake

There are several things you can do before an earthquake hits to ensure you stay safe:

Understand Your Risk — Earthquakes can occur anywhere; however, they are more common in certain areas across the world. As for the United States, the western states are much more likely to suffer an earthquake. You can learn more here.

Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On — An earthquake can be incredibly dangerous, so knowing exactly what to do is essential. That is why everyone should practice dropping, covering, and holding on to protect themselves from falling debris. Everyone in your home should know what to do in the event of an earthquake. 

Here’s how to practice:

• DROP right where you are onto the ground and crawl on your hands and knees. This position protects you from getting knocked over and allows you to get to a protected area efficiently.
• Take COVER. You may have heard at some point in the past that a doorway is the safest place to take shelter during an earthquake. However, a doorway is not necessarily any stronger than any other part of your house. Instead, find a sturdy piece of furniture, like a desk or table, that is away from windows and hold on tightly with your family. It could also mean covering your head and neck with your arms if nothing is close. If you cannot find a safe place to settle, crawl to an interior wall away from windows. With your household, especially with children, find various “safe spots” in each of the rooms in your home and practice what you would do if an earthquake were to strike.
• HOLD ON until everything stops shaking. If you are under a sturdy table or desk, hold onto it with one hand to keep it over yourself and use your other arm to protect your neck and head. If you are not under anything to hold on to, use both arms to protect yourself.

Remember, earthquakes can last just a few seconds up to several minutes or more. Make sure your practice drills last that long and stay covered and protected for their entirety. 

Prevent Injuries and Secure Your Space — Many homes in the “danger zone” are at significant risk of suffering some level of structural damage as a result of an earthquake. The good news is by taking some precautionary steps and implementing our earthquake safety tips, you can help minimize the extent of the damage. 

Imagine a giant picked up your house and shook it up and down and side to side. Think about which of your belongings could fall and cause injury. Here is a list of things you can do to prepare your property and secure your home in the event of an earthquake:

• Secure all heavy and tall furniture to your walls, such as dressers, armoires, sideboards, and bookcases, using straps, latches, hooks, and other types of safety devices that are widely available for this purpose.
• Remove overhanging tree branches, old power lines, and unused electrical wires that could potentially be hazardous away from your property.
• Install brace and anchor posts to houses supported by slender posts or that are partially cantilevered.
• Place any valuable or sentimental items in a fire-resistant safe or container.
• Securely store household cleaners and other flammable items upright and away from heat sources in your home.
• Minimize the chances of twisting and cracking to asymmetrical homes by adding restraining elements.
• Add shatter-resistant film to your windows and glass doors, or swap old windows and glass doors for one with tempered or wired safety glass.
• Brace chimneys, satellites, home cooling units, and other items or structures on your roof.
• Install child-proof hardware to your cabinets, cupboards, and display cases.
• Repair or replace loose tiles or shingles on your roof.
• Always opt for flexible pipe connections for gas appliances instead of solid, fixed ones.
• Keep heavy, breakable items on lower shelves.
• Inspect your exterior masonry and repair any cracks or damaged parts.
• Reinforce interior ceilings beneath chimneys.
• Use safety hangers or closed hooks to secure mirrors and pictures hanging on your walls.
• Install seismic-activated gas valves that shut off automatically during intense earthquakes.
• Have your home, apartment building, or business evaluated and inspected to determine safety.
• Reinforce your home to fix structural issues that may cause your house to collapse.
• Invest in a good earthquake insurance add-on policy. Most standard homeowners’ insurance policies will not cover earthquake damage unless you have an additional earthquake policy. We are answering frequently asked questions about this below.

Plan and Prepare to Stay Connected — In the event of an earthquake, it is likely the power will be out. If this is the case, you will need a way to stay connected with your loved ones. Here are some ways you can prepare:

• Keep a cord and backup battery fully charged so you can charge your cell phone.
• Store a battery-powered radio that keeps you connected to the news to stay informed.
• Create a personal support team of neighbors and nearby friends you can help and who can help you.

You’ll also want to have an emergency communication plan in place. If you and your family are separated during an emergency, which could be likely with parents at work and kids at school, it’s essential to have a solid plan in place on where to meet back up after the dust settles. Select a safe meeting spot, one where each family knows the phone number and address.

Moreover, it may be helpful and prudent to have an out-of-town family member or friend serve as an emergency contact that everyone can get a hold of.

Make an Evacuation Plan — After an earthquake, it may be likely you and your loved ones need to evacuate. Take a few moments with each of your family members to discuss what to do if evacuation ends up being necessary. 

Plan at least two ways to escape each room in your house. Purchase and store any necessary equipment, like rope ladders, and familiarize yourself with how to use it. Planning and practicing your evacuation plan will help you and your family be safe.

Learn Emergency Skills — Accidents happen. Knowing skills like CPR and first aid can really come in handy since people may be injured, and emergency services will not likely be readily available. It is also a good idea to learn where the utility switches and valves, such as the power and water, are located in your house so they can be shut off. If you don’t know already, learn how to operate them.

Speaking of utilities, in the event of a natural disaster such as an earthquake, you may be without gas, water, or power for days, possibly even weeks. It’s important to be ready to live without these amenities.

Keep a Good Back Stock — In the event of an earthquake, it will be pretty difficult to get the store to buy food, clean drinking water, cash, diapers, or anything else you might need. Most grocery stores, banks, pharmacies, and other businesses will be closed or inoperable due to the disaster.

It is also impossible to know for certain when an earthquake will hit, so it’s best to keep emergency supplies on hand and always keep your pantry and cupboards stocked with your family’s specific essentials. Of course, everybody needs food and water, but do you have a specific medication you cannot go without for more than a few days? Do you have a baby that requires a particular type of formula? Will your kids only eat a specific brand of mac & cheese? 

If you answered yes to any of those questions, make sure you have exactly what you need. It’s best to keep a month or two’s supply on hand at all times.

Gather Emergency Supplies — On top of your family’s essentials for food, water, medication, etc., you’ll want to have plenty of emergency supplies on hand. You can organize your items into two categories: a go kit and a stay-home kit.

• GO KIT — This is your 72-hour kit that you will carry with you if you have to evacuate. It includes a 3-day supply of food, water, and other essentials. It also includes flashlights, batteries, chargers, a first aid kit, mini toiletries, whistles, candles, matches, cash, copies of personal documents, a list of phone numbers and addresses, etc.
• STAY-HOME KIT — At least a four-week supply of all necessary items listed above.

Earthquake Safety Measures: What To Do During an Earthquake

The moment you feel shaking, DROP, take COVER, and HOLD ON to protect yourself. Yell to others in your house to alert them to do the same. And consistently implement as many earthquake safety tips as you can. If you are:

• Outside — drop, crawl towards an open area if you can. Stay away from trees, power lines, and buildings.
• In bed — stay there and use a pillow to cover your head, neck, and torso.
• Driving — stop and stay put inside your car. Avoid stopping near trees, utility wires, overpasses, or buildings. Proceed with caution once the earthquake stops. Avoid ramps and bridges.
• In a wheelchair or walker — If you cannot drop, lock your wheels and remain seated until the shaking ceases. Protect your head and neck using your arms, pillow, book, or anything else available.

Earthquake Safety Measures: What To Do After an Earthquake

The aftermath of an earthquake is scary. Whether it was a big or small one, you are likely shaken up (no pun intended). Here’s what to remember after the disaster:

Wait a Moment — Before getting up, wait for a minute or two. Scan your surroundings and look for any immediate danger surrounding you; take caution and protect yourself. You’ll likely find broken glass and plenty of other debris on the ground, so put on sturdy shoes as soon as you can.

Leave the Area — If it is safe, exit the building and go to a clear area outside, away from trees, structures, and power lines. Check to ensure nothing could fall on you. If there isn’t a safe area outside, it may be best to stay inside.

If you are near the coast, it’s not uncommon for a tsunami to follow the earthquake. As soon as the earthquake stops, climb to safety. Walk quickly or run to higher ground or inland, away from the coastline. There is no need to wait for officials to issue warnings.

Expect Aftershocks — Aftershocks are likely to occur, so be ready. If one does happen, drop, take cover, and hold on whenever you feel one.

After the Earthquake — If your property is too damaged and deemed no longer safe, follow your evacuation plan and go to your designated safer meetup spot. Take your Go-Kit with you. Here are a couple more earthquake safety tips:

• Always use a flashlight, not candles, since there’s a considerable fire risk.
• Never use lighters, matches, appliances, or light switches until you are certain there isn’t a gas leak in the area. Sparks or open flames could ignite the gas and cause an explosion.

If You Become Trapped — If you are trapped, make sure to protect your nose, eyes, and mouth from airborne debris, such as dust. You can use your shirt or another article of clothing or mask to cover your nose and mouth. You can signal for help by using a safety whistle or knocking loudly on a solid piece of the structure three times every couple of minutes. Rescue personnel are always listening for such sounds.

Stay Connected — Let your loved ones know you are safe as soon as possible. Stay connected by listening to TV, local radio, and other news sources for information. 

Take Care of Yourself — An earthquake is a big, overwhelming event, and it’s totally normal to feel stressed or anxious. Make sure to eat healthy food, drink plenty of water, and get enough rest. Take care of your loved ones, too, if you’re able.

Earthquake Safety: Insurance FAQs

Being prepared for an earthquake does not just include having the right supplies. It also includes having insurance and a safety net in place for your financial situation. Here are some commonly asked questions about earthquakes and homeowners’ insurance:

Q: Do I need earthquake insurance?

A: While earthquake coverage is not mandatory, it may be a wise investment, depending on where you live. Yes, an earthquake could occur anywhere in the world. However, some areas are more likely to experience one. If you live in a zone that experiences a lot of seismic activity, earthquake insurance may be right for you.

Q: Where do I get earthquake insurance?

A: If you are looking into purchasing an earthquake insurance policy, the most accessible place to start is with your current homeowners insurance company. Ask them if they offer an add-on policy or if you will need to invest in a standalone policy. 

You may find that some insurance providers do not offer earthquake coverage. In those cases, you will have to look elsewhere. Some companies are required by law to provide coverage due to their location, such as various areas within the western states.

Q: How much earthquake coverage do I need?

A: Insurance providers typically set the same limits on dwelling coverage for both your property and earthquake insurance. 

Need Help With Your Earthquake Insurance Claim? Hudson Douglas Public Adjusters Can Help

Practicing earthquake safety is key after an earthquake. 

The aftermath of an earthquake can be overwhelming, to say the least. If you have to file an insurance claim, you understand that the process can be tedious and cumbersome, and that’s where Hudson Douglas Public Adjuster comes in.

With more than five decades of experience in disaster construction and restoration, our founders understand the need for property owners to have professional representation to help them quickly and fairly settle their insurance claims. 

Our experts represent you, not your insurance provider. We are your advocate and have your best interest in mind. We are here to offer our clients the most accurate and complete settlements while displaying the compassion, professionalism, and understanding you deserve.

We serve policy holds in Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Contact us today to learn more about how our trusted team members can serve you.