In a Quake, Drop, Cover, Hold On, Secure Heavy Items First
In an earthquake, drop, cover and hold on: Ready.gov says if you’re inside, stay inside, don’t run outside and avoid doorways; drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck, and hold on until the shaking stops. Before it happens, secure bookcases, refrigerators, water heaters, TVs and anything hanging on walls.
Store heavy and breakable things on low shelves. A standard homeowner’s insurance policy doesn’t cover earthquake damage, and Ready.gov suggests considering separate earthquake insurance.
During an earthquake
Ready.gov explains (Ready.gov earthquakes):
- Indoors: stay inside, don’t run outside and avoid doorways; drop, cover your head and neck, and hold on until the shaking stops.
- In bed: turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
- Driving: pull over, stop and set the parking brake.
- Outdoors: stay outside and move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights and power lines.
- Using a wheelchair or walker: lock the wheels if you can, cover your head and neck, and hold on until the shaking stops.
Before it happens
- Secure heavy items: bookcases, refrigerators, water heaters, TVs and things that hang on walls.
- Keep heavy things low: store heavy and breakable objects on low shelves.
- Practice: practice how to protect yourself during an earthquake with family and coworkers.
- Communications plan: make a family emergency communications plan with an out-of-state contact.
- Earthquake alerts: sign up for earthquake alerts to be notified before shaking arrives.
- Insurance: a standard homeowner’s policy doesn’t cover earthquake damage; consider separate earthquake insurance.
After an earthquake
- Aftershocks: expect aftershocks after the main quake.
- Damaged buildings: if you’re in a damaged building, go outside and move away quickly, and don’t go back in.
- Tsunamis: if you’re in an area that may have tsunamis, go inland or to higher ground as soon as the shaking stops.
For anchoring furniture and TVs to the wall, see Anchor Dressers and TVs to the Wall to Prevent Tip-Overs; for official emergency alerts on your phone, see Phone Emergency Alerts Are Free, Some Phones Need Them On; for the FEMA App and finding shelters by text, see Free FEMA App Alerts for 5 Places, Texts Find Shelters.
What this article did not check
- How to buy earthquake insurance and what it costs: this article did not check.
- Whether renters are covered for earthquakes: this Ready.gov page talks about homeowner’s insurance; this article did not check renters insurance.
- Whether your area has earthquake early warning: this article did not check.
Frequently asked questions
Should I run outside during an earthquake?
No. Ready.gov says if you’re inside, stay inside, don’t run outside and avoid doorways.
What if it happens while I’m in bed at night?
Turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
What if I’m driving?
Pull over, stop and set the parking brake.
Does homeowner’s insurance cover earthquake damage?
Ready.gov says a standard homeowner’s policy doesn’t cover earthquake damage; consider separate earthquake insurance.
Sources and dates checked
All checked on 2026-10-31.
- Ready.gov, Earthquakes (page updated 2026-09-09):https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes