Earthquakes can happen in an instant, leaving little time to react. But knowing what to do before, during, and after one can make all the difference. Whether you\u2019re at home, work, or outside, here\u2019s a simple step-by-step guide to help you stay safe when the ground starts shaking.<\/p>\n
Preparation is key. Taking some time now to get ready can keep you safe later.<\/p>\n
Build an Emergency Kit<\/strong>: Have the basics ready\u2014water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, flashlights, batteries, and copies of important documents. When the shaking starts, the best thing you can do is \u201cDrop, Cover, and Hold On.\u201d<\/p>\n Drop:<\/strong> Get down on your hands and knees. This will keep you from being knocked over. If you\u2019re outside, move away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and anything that could fall. If you\u2019re in a car, pull over safely and stay inside.<\/p>\n Once the earthquake ends, don\u2019t let your guard down\u2014there could be aftershocks. Here\u2019s what to do next:<\/p>\n Check for Injuries and Hazards:<\/strong> Look after yourself and others, and treat any injuries if you can. Be careful of broken glass, downed power lines, and gas leaks. Your safety plan depends on where you are when the earthquake hits:<\/p>\n Indoors<\/strong>: Stay put and follow the \u201cDrop, Cover, and Hold On\u201d rule. Don\u2019t run outside during the shaking\u2014it\u2019s often safer inside. Earthquake drills might seem unnecessary, but they can be lifesaving. Practice with your family, friends, or coworkers so everyone knows what to do. The more familiar you are with the steps, the easier it will be to stay calm and react quickly when the time comes.<\/p>\n You can\u2019t predict when an earthquake will happen, but you can prepare. By securing your home, having a plan, and knowing what to do during and after the shaking, you\u2019re already taking huge steps toward staying safe. Remember, staying calm and acting fast is your best bet for getting through an earthquake safely.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Earthquakes can strike at any moment, but knowing how to prepare and react can save lives. From creating an emergency kit to practicing \u201cDrop, Cover, and Hold On,\u201d this guide outlines essential steps for staying safe during an earthquake.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":367,"featured_media":55862,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[1462,19486,19481,1459,19480,19482,19484,19485,19483,3682],"class_list":["post-55846","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-aftershocks","tag-coast","tag-drop-cover-and-hold-on","tag-earthquake","tag-emergency-kit","tag-family-plan","tag-first-aid","tag-gas-leaks","tag-safety-plan","tag-tsunami"],"reading_time":"4 min read","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/usa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55846","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/usa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/usa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/usa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/367"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/usa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55846"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/usa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55846\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/usa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55862"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/usa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55846"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/usa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55846"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.businessupturn.com\/usa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55846"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nMake Your Home Safer:<\/strong> Secure heavy furniture to walls, strap down water heaters, and use safety latches on cupboards to keep things from falling. Keep heavy items on lower shelves.
\nKnow Your Risks:<\/strong> Find out if your area is earthquake-prone and understand your local building codes. It\u2019s also a good idea to have a plan for where you\u2019d go and how you\u2019d communicate with family if something happens.
\nHave a Family Plan:<\/strong> Make sure everyone knows what to do during an earthquake. Pick a safe place to meet if you\u2019re separated, and make sure emergency contact numbers are easily accessible.<\/p>\nStep 2: What to do during an Earthquake<\/h2>\n
\nCover:<\/strong> Find something sturdy to get under, like a table or desk, to protect your head and neck. If there\u2019s no cover, crouch next to an interior wall and use your arms to shield your head.
\nHold On:<\/strong> Hold on to whatever you\u2019re using for shelter until the shaking stops. If you\u2019re under a table or desk, hold onto the legs to keep it steady.<\/p>\nStep 3: Stay safe after the shaking stops<\/h2>\n
\nAvoid Using Elevators:<\/strong> If you\u2019re in a building, take the stairs to leave safely, as elevators may be damaged.
\nPrepare for Aftershocks<\/strong>: These smaller quakes can follow the main event and cause more damage, so stay alert and be ready to drop, cover, and hold on again.
\nStay Informed<\/strong>: Tune into emergency broadcasts to get important updates and instructions. Stay away from damaged areas unless authorities say it\u2019s safe.<\/p>\nStep 4: Know what to do in different places<\/h2>\n
\nOutdoors:<\/strong> Move away from buildings, trees, and anything that could fall. Once you\u2019re in an open area, stay there until the shaking stops.
\nIn a Car:<\/strong> Pull over to a safe spot away from bridges, overpasses, and buildings. Stay in your car until the earthquake is over.
\nBy the Water:<\/strong> If you\u2019re near the coast, move quickly to higher ground after the shaking stops in case of a tsunami.<\/p>\nStep 5: Practice makes perfect<\/h2>\n