Recommended Earthquake Safety Actions

Federal, State, and local emergency management experts and other official preparedness organizations agree that the actions described below will reduce injury and death during earthquakes. A small jolt might turn out to be the start of a large earthquake, so always protect yourself immediately!

In most situations, if you feel shaking or get an earthquake alert, immediately:

DROP where you are, onto your hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby.

COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand.

• If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter.
• If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows).
• Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs.

HOLD ON until the shaking stops. 

• Under shelter: hold on to it with one hand; be ready to move with your shelter if it shifts.
• No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.

What NOT to do!

Many people still think “getting in a doorway” is safe, however this is out-ofdate advice that should never have been recommended. We now understand that doorways: are not stronger than any other part of the house; do not provide protection from falling or flying objects; and will not be a safe space in the rare case of building collapse.

• This information was obtained from the Earthquake Alliance Country website.