What to Do During an Earthquake

Stay as safe as possible during the earthquake. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure that it is safe to exit.

If Indoors

1.    Drop to the ground; take cover by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; protect you head and neck with your arms; and hold on until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face, neck and head with your arms and crouch along an interior wall or an inside corner of the building.

2.    Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors or walls, and anything that could fall or topple over, such as lighting fixtures, heavy furniture, shelves or appliances. If in the kitchen, move to a safer place as quickly as possible.

3.    Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, load-bearing doorway.

4.    Stay inside until shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Most injuries during earthquakes occur when people are hit by falling objects when entering into or exiting from buildings.
 

5.    Be aware that the electricity may go out and the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may go on.

6.    Do not use an elevator.

If Outdoors

1.    Stay there.

2.    Move away from buildings, streetlights, trees and telephone, power and utility lines.

3.    Once in the open, stay there and drop, cover and hold on, if possible, until the shaking stops.  The greatest danger exists directly outside a building, at exits and along exterior walls, so get far enough away from these hazards to insure your safety.  The cause of most deaths and injuries during an earthquake is not ground movement, but from collapsing walls, flying glass and falling objects.

If in a Moving Vehicle

1.    Move your vehicle as far out of traffic as possible, stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, power lines, signs, light posts and utility lines.

2.    Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.