Best Tools for Earthquake Preparedness of 2025
Make a plan with your family
Check that everyone in your family knows to drop, cover, and hold on (PDF) during a quake. You need to move to the floor, find a sturdy piece of furniture (like a table or desk) to get beneath, and then try not to move from that spot until the shaking stops. If you can’t find cover, use your arms or whatever you’re holding to protect your head and neck. If you’re in bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow, according to the Earthquake Country Alliance.
People who use walkers or wheelchairs should lock the wheels or turn off their devices. And, to the extent they are able, they should cover their head with their arms, a pillow, or a book, and bend over until the shaking stops. Earthquake Country Alliance has more tips (PDF) on earthquake preparedness for older people and people with disabilities.
After an earthquake, you might lose cell phone service. Talk to your family about where you can meet if you are outside, like a local park or school. Choose an out-of-town contact ahead of time—someone who can check in and communicate among family members if power and service are limited. If you evacuate because of a gas leak, or if your home seems structurally unstable, let the out-of-town person know.
Secure loose furniture and fragile objects
During a quake, buildings and their contents become dangerous. You don’t want a bookcase, crystal vase, or mirror to fall on you, so make sure it’s not easy for them to topple. As you prepare, prioritize small steps over perfection. You can use a furniture safety strap or putty to ensure that plates and cups stay on shelves. Cabinet doors will fly open during an earthquake unless you secure them. Some staffers who live in earthquake-prone areas say they avoid putting anything at all above their beds or sleeping directly beneath a window. You can adhere shatter-resistant window coverings to protect yourself from broken glass.
Plan around your bed
Many staffers who live in earthquake-prone areas keep sneakers or heavy-duty boots next to the bed, in case they have to walk across broken glass after an earthquake. They also keep their emergency flashlights and headlamps in bedside cabinet areas. If you have multiple floors in your dwelling, you might want to keep certain emergency-preparedness supplies, like first aid kits, on each floor.
Know your tsunami risk
If you are in a tsunami hazard zone, be on alert for official warnings issued in your city after an earthquake. A roar coming from the ocean or a sudden absence of water at the beach will be another indicator. Get to higher ground as quickly as possible. If you are not in a tsunami hazard zone but still receive a warning, stay where you are, unless an official tells you otherwise.
Back up documents and records
Take pictures of your home and valuables to create a record of their current condition, in case of an insurance claim. Back up the images online, where you can access them should anything happen to your phone or camera.
Keep originals of important documents in a fire-proof safe or other secure location, and leave copies with your out-of-town contact.
This article was edited by Joshua Lyon and Harry Sawyers.
