Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently and without warning. Identifying potential hazards ahead of time and advance planning can reduce the dangers of serious injury or loss of life from an earthquake.

• Check for hazards in the home and make it safe.
• Identify Safe Places Indoors and Outdoors
• Under sturdy furniture such as a heavy desk or table.
• Against an inside wall.
• Away from where glass could shatter around windows, mirrors, pictures, or where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could fall over.
• In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone and electrical lines, overpasses, or elevated expressways.
• Educate yourself and family members about earthquake and know how to protect your property from earthquake consequences.
• Prepare with disaster supplies such as flashlight and extra batteries, candles, first aid kit and manual, emergency dry food items and drinking water, essential medicines, cash and credit cards and sturdy shoes.

What to Do During an Earthquake?

Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

• If you are in indoors, DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON on until the shaking stops.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
• Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside.
• DO NOT use the elevators.
• If you are in outdoors, move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires and stay in the open place until the shaking stops.
• If you are in a moving vehicle, stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.