Earthquake Safety Tips You Need to Know Before the Shaking Starts

Whether you live in a high-risk zone or somewhere earthquakes rarely make the news (like here in Atlantic Canada), it’s still smart to know a few earthquake safety tips before the shaking starts. Earthquakes are fast, unpredictable, and often over in under a minute—but that one minute can do serious damage. With a little planning and some calm, clear action, you can help protect yourself and the people you love.

Here’s everything you need to know before, during, and after an earthquake—plus a few lesser-known tips to keep you covered in any situation…

That One Time the Floor Moved: A Real-World Wakeup Call

It was a regular Tuesday morning in Los Angeles. Coffee brewing, cat knocking things off the counter, and Laura was halfway through an email when the floor beneath her desk lurched sideways. Books flew. The walls groaned. Her heart raced as she dove under the table—only to realize it was a glass one. Not ideal.

If you’ve never experienced an earthquake, it’s easy to assume you’ll just “figure it out.” But ask anyone who’s been through it—there’s no time to think when everything’s shaking. That’s why practicing what to do ahead of time is so important.

Next up—how to get ready before the ground even moves.

Earthquake Safety Tips to Prepare Before It Hits

You can’t stop tectonic plates from shifting, but you can control how ready you are when they do. That preparation starts now—not when your lamp is already on the floor.

Earthquake Safety Tips to Secure Your Space

• Bolt bookshelves to walls
• Move heavy objects to lower shelves
• Use museum putty to secure vases or frames
• Learn how to turn off your home’s gas and water

Even small adjustments can prevent major injuries. According to FEMA, securing furniture and utilities is one of the top ways to reduce risk.

Tips for Building Your Emergency Preparedness Kit

Don’t wait until shelves are empty. Include:

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Bottled water (1 gallon per person per day for 3 days)
• Canned food and manual can opener
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Copies of ID, insurance, and emergency contacts

P.S. Want to keep this on hand? Bookmark this page or print it out and stick it on your fridge.

Need a comprehensive emergency prep checklist? Visit our guide: Stay Prepared: Emergency Preparedness Checklist

Making a Family Earthquake Safety Plan

Decide where to meet if separated, assign roles, and choose an out-of-town contact. Practice drills with your household—even the kids. It helps everyone act faster under pressure. Even running through a drill once can help everyone feel more in control (and less afraid) when an earthquake strikes!

As I mentioned in the intro, we live in an area where earthquakes were VERY rare. But in the last few years, people and weather services have been reporting small quakes in our province. So we have decided to make a plan just in case one happens in our area.

Starting to feel somewhat prepared? Good. Let’s move on to what to do in the actual moment the shaking starts.

Earthquake Safety Tips to Follow During the Quake

When the ground begins to shake, you’ve got seconds to react. Here’s what to do to keep yourself safe in the chaos.

Drop, Cover, and Hold On

The golden rule:

• Drop to your hands and knees
• Cover your head and neck (ideally under a sturdy piece of furniture)
• Hold on until the shaking stops

No table nearby? Crouch near an interior wall and shield your head. Skip the doorway—it’s not any safer than the rest of the room unless you live in an old adobe home.

Top Earthquake Safety Tips While Driving

• Pull over in a safe spot
• Avoid bridges, overpasses, and power lines
• Stay inside the car with your seatbelt on until the shaking stops

Once the shaking ends, take a deep breath—but don’t let your guard down. The next few minutes matter just as much.

Earthquake Safety Tips for the Aftermath

Surviving the initial quake is only part of the challenge. Aftershocks, fires, and damaged structures can pose serious risks.

Checking for Damage After an Earthquake

• Smell gas? Shut it off and get out immediately
• Notice sparks or damaged wires? Avoid all electronics
• See cracks in walls or ceilings? Stay outside and don’t re-enter

And remember—use your phone sparingly. Emergency lines and towers can overload quickly.

Earthquake Safety Tips for Aftershocks

Aftershocks can feel like earthquakes all over again. Stay alert and be ready to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” if another jolt hits. These can strike minutes, hours, or even days later.

Communicating After an Earthquake

• Text instead of calling—texts are more likely to go through
• Post a quick status online to let friends and family know you’re okay. Facebook actually has a “Marked Safe” feature you can use as well!
• We highly recommend keeping a crank radio on hand—it lets you stay informed even when the power’s out after an event like a quake.

With the basics covered, let’s talk about situations where extra planning can make all the difference.

Earthquake Safety Tips for Specific Situations

Everyone’s situation is different. These tips help you adapt your plan to fit your lifestyle or household.

What to Do During an Earthquake if You Have Kids or Pets

• Keep shoes next to the bed to avoid stepping on broken glass
• Teach kids the “turtle drill”
• Pack their favorite toy or comfort item in your emergency kit

… And if you’re also working on general family safety planning, you might like our article 83 Useful Child Safety Tips to Protect Your Child From Harm.

Earthquake Safety Tips for Pet Owners

• Include food, a leash, and a crate in your kit
• Keep ID tags and microchips current
• Know which local shelters accept pets in emergencies

Earthquake Safety Tips for Apartment Life

• Learn your building’s evacuation routes
• Keep a go-bag by the door
• Identify the safest corners to shelter in each room

Being ready for earthquakes is only one part of emergency planning. Check out What Is a Tornado Warning? What It Means and What to Do to round out your prep game.

Let’s bust a common myth next—do you really need to worry about earthquakes if you don’t live in California?

Earthquake Safety Tips Matter in Every State

Surprise! Earthquakes aren’t just a California thing. In fact, the USGS says 42 U.S. states have a moderate to high risk of seismic activity.

North Carolina had a 5.1 magnitude quake in 2020. Oklahoma has had more quakes in the last decade than anyone expected. Just because you don’t expect it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare.

“Once you have been in an earthquake you know, even if you survive without a scratch, that like a stroke in the heart, it remains in the earth’s breast, horribly potential, always promising to return, to hit you again, with an even more devastating force. ” ― Salman Rushdie, The Ground Beneath Her Feet

Being ready for the first (and hopefully last) earthquake means that you will be prepared for any future ones. Another natural hazard that can cause serious devastation is flooding. We also have tips for prepping for this, so check out our article Flash Flood Warning: The One Alert You Should Never Ignore.

Stay Ready, Stay Safe

Earthquakes don’t send a warning—and they don’t last long. However, being ready can make all the difference between panic and confidence, injury and safety.

Quick Earthquake Checklist:

• Before: Secure your space, stock your kit, and create a plan
• During: Drop, Cover, and Hold On—no running!
• After: Watch for hazards, stay calm, and expect aftershocks
• Always: Practice, stay informed, and adapt your plan as needed

Over to You: What’s Your Earthquake Plan?

Finally, have you lived through an earthquake? Do you have your own safety tips to share? Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear how you’re preparing, and your story might help someone else stay safe.