Earthquake Preparation Checklist: Your Complete Guide to Earthquake Safety and Preparedness

Earthquake preparation success requires comprehensive emergency supplies and kit, thorough home safety and securing, detailed family emergency plan, essential utility and safety knowledge, vehicle and transportation preparation, reliable communication and information systems, workplace and school preparation, and post-earthquake preparedness planning. Whether you live in high-risk seismic area or want to be prepared anywhere, this comprehensive checklist covers every aspect of earthquake preparedness. From emergency supplies and home securing through family planning, utility knowledge, transportation, communication, workplace preparation, and post-earthquake planning, this guide ensures you approach earthquake preparation with complete strategy, proper supplies, and commitment to safety that protects you and your family.

This detailed checklist walks you through assembling emergency kit, securing your home, creating family plan, learning utility safety, preparing vehicles, establishing communication, planning for workplace and school, and understanding post-earthquake procedures. Each phase addresses specific earthquake safety needs, ensuring you are fully prepared when earthquake strikes.

Emergency Supplies and Kit: Essential Resources

Well-stocked emergency kit is foundation of earthquake preparedness. Assemble earthquake emergency kit with three-day supply. Store at least one gallon of water per person per day.

Stock non-perishable food items and manual can opener. Include first aid kit with essential medical supplies. Pack flashlight with extra batteries.

Include battery-powered or hand-crank radio. Store whistle for signaling help. Include dust masks and plastic sheeting.

Pack moist towelettes and garbage bags. Store wrench or pliers to turn off utilities. Include local maps and important documents. Pack cash in small denominations. Store prescription medications and medical supplies. Include pet supplies if you have pets. Store emergency kit in accessible location. Comprehensive kit supports survival and recovery.

Home Safety and Securing: Protecting Your Space

Securing home prevents injuries and damage during earthquakes. Secure heavy furniture to walls with brackets. Anchor tall bookcases and cabinets.

Secure water heater to wall studs. Fasten mirrors and picture frames securely. Install latches on cabinet doors.

Secure overhead light fixtures. Brace or remove heavy objects above beds. Store heavy items on lower shelves.

Secure gas appliances with flexible connections. Install automatic gas shut-off valve if recommended. Check foundation and structural integrity. Reinforce cripple walls if in older home. Secure chimney and masonry structures. Install safety film on windows if in high-risk area. Remove or secure items that could fall outside. Proper securing prevents injuries and damage.

Family Emergency Plan: Coordinating Safety

Family plan ensures everyone knows what to do. Create family emergency communication plan. Identify safe spots in each room.

Designate meeting place outside home. Choose out-of-area contact person. Practice drop, cover, and hold on technique.

Teach children earthquake safety procedures. Plan for family members with special needs. Identify evacuation routes from home.

Plan for pets in emergency situation. Review and practice plan regularly with family. Well-practiced plan ensures coordinated response.

Utility and Safety Knowledge: Essential Skills

Knowing how to manage utilities prevents additional hazards. Learn how to shut off gas supply. Know how to turn off water main.

Locate electrical panel and know how to shut off. Keep utility shut-off tools accessible. Learn basic first aid and CPR.

Know location of nearest hospital and emergency services. Understand earthquake insurance coverage. Keep important documents in fireproof safe.

Create digital copies of important documents. Stay informed about local earthquake risks. Essential knowledge enables safe response.

Vehicle and Transportation: Mobility Planning

Vehicle preparation supports mobility after earthquake. Keep vehicle emergency kit in car. Maintain at least half tank of gas.

Store emergency supplies in vehicle. Know alternative routes home. Keep walking shoes and supplies at workplace.

Plan for transportation if roads are damaged. Identify safe parking locations away from structures. Keep vehicle registration and insurance current.

Plan for public transportation disruptions. Know how to safely exit vehicle during earthquake. Vehicle preparation supports mobility and safety.

Communication and Information: Staying Connected

Reliable communication enables coordination and information. Program emergency contacts in all phones. Keep battery-powered or solar charger for devices.

Sign up for emergency alerts and notifications. Know how to send text messages if phone service is limited. Have backup communication method planned.

Keep list of important phone numbers written down. Understand local emergency radio frequencies. Know how to access emergency information online.

Plan for communication with out-of-area contacts. Keep emergency contact information with children. Good communication supports coordination and safety.

Workplace and School Preparation: Extended Safety

Workplace and school preparation extends safety beyond home. Review workplace emergency procedures. Know evacuation routes at workplace.

Keep emergency supplies at workplace. Understand school emergency procedures for children. Know school pickup and emergency protocols.

Keep walking shoes and supplies at workplace. Identify safe areas in workplace building. Plan for extended stay at workplace if needed.

Coordinate with coworkers on emergency plans. Review and update workplace emergency contacts. Extended preparation ensures safety everywhere.

Post-Earthquake Preparedness: Recovery Planning

Post-earthquake planning supports recovery and safety. Know what to expect after earthquake. Understand aftershock safety procedures.

Plan for potential utility outages. Know how to check for gas leaks. Understand how to assess home damage safely.

Plan for temporary housing if needed. Know how to access emergency services. Understand insurance claim process.

Plan for emotional and psychological support. Keep supplies for extended recovery period. Recovery planning supports long-term resilience.

Earthquake Preparation Best Practices

Throughout your earthquake preparation, keep these essential practices in mind:

• Start Early: Do not wait for earthquake warning. Preparation takes time and should be done before emergency. Early preparation is more effective.
• Practice Regularly: Review and practice emergency procedures with family. Regular practice ensures everyone remembers what to do. Practice makes response automatic.
• Secure Your Home: Anchor heavy furniture and secure hazards. Securing prevents most earthquake-related injuries. Professional help may be needed for structural work.
• Maintain Supplies: Check and rotate emergency supplies regularly. Expired or missing supplies reduce preparedness. Regular maintenance keeps kit ready.
• Know Your Utilities: Learn how to shut off gas, water, and electricity. Utility knowledge prevents additional hazards. Keep tools accessible.
• Plan for Everyone: Consider needs of all family members including children, elderly, and pets. Comprehensive planning ensures no one is overlooked.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with local earthquake risks and safety recommendations. Information helps you prepare appropriately. Knowledge supports better decisions.
• Think Long-term: Plan for extended recovery period. Earthquakes can disrupt services for days or weeks. Long-term planning supports resilience.
• Build Community: Coordinate with neighbors and community. Community support enhances individual preparation. Strong communities recover faster.
• Review Regularly: Update preparation as circumstances change. Regular review keeps preparation current and effective. Circumstances change over time.

Earthquake preparation success requires comprehensive emergency supplies and kit providing essential resources, thorough home safety and securing protecting your space, detailed family emergency plan coordinating safety, essential utility and safety knowledge providing essential skills, vehicle and transportation preparation supporting mobility planning, reliable communication and information systems staying connected, workplace and school preparation extending safety, and post-earthquake preparedness planning supporting recovery. By following this detailed checklist, starting early, practicing regularly, securing your home, maintaining supplies, knowing your utilities, planning for everyone, staying informed, thinking long-term, building community, and reviewing regularly, you will be fully prepared for earthquake. Remember that early preparation is more effective, regular practice ensures automatic response, securing prevents injuries, and comprehensive planning supports resilience.

For more safety resources, explore our emergency preparedness checklist, our flood preparation guide, our hurricane preparation checklist, and our fire safety preparation guide.