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Prepare the room
Strap tall bookcases, dressers and the water heater to the wall studs. Move heavy items to low shelves and keep beds away from windows and heavy frames.
Safe and sound
Drop, cover and hold on
Three moves for the shaking and a short checklist for the hour after, practiced once so the body does it without thinking.
Time20 min
LevelEasy
Steps6
Official sources1
Most earthquake injuries come from falling objects and from people trying to move while the ground shakes. Knowing the drill and practicing it once makes it automatic.
What you need
Gather these before you start.
- Straps or brackets to fix tall furniture to the wall: 1 set per bookcase or dresser
- Flashlight by each bed
- Sturdy shoes by each bed
- Wrench for the gas valve
Step by step
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Drop
When the shaking starts, drop to your hands and knees where you are. This stops you being knocked over and lets you crawl.
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Cover
Get under a sturdy table or desk if one is close; if not, crawl next to an inside wall away from windows. Cover your head and neck with your arms.
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Hold on
Hold on to the table or your head and neck until the shaking stops. In bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow. Do not run outside or stand in a doorway.
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Check after it stops
Put on shoes, check for injuries and expect aftershocks. If you smell gas or hear hissing, open a window, get everyone out and turn the gas off at the meter only if you know how.
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If you are near the coast
If you feel strong shaking near the coast, move inland or to high ground at once without waiting for a warning, because a tsunami can follow.
The numbers
| What | Amount |
|---|---|
| Moves in the drill | 3: drop, cover, hold on |
| Straps or brackets for tall furniture | 1 set per bookcase or dresser |
| Checklist after the shaking | The first 1 hour |
| Family drill | 1 a year |
Ready.gov, Earthquakes
Stay safe
- Do not use matches, lighters or switches if you smell gas.
- Stay out of damaged buildings. Call emergency services for anyone hurt or trapped.
- If you are driving, pull over away from bridges, overpasses and power lines and stay in the car with your seatbelt on.
When you're done
| Result | A household that drops, covers and holds on without thinking, and knows what to check afterwards. |
|---|---|
| Keep it ready | Practice the drill once a year with the whole family, and check the furniture straps at the same time. |
Questions people ask
What does drop, cover and hold on mean?
Drop to your hands and knees where you are, get under a sturdy table or next to an inside wall, and hold on with your arms over your head and neck until the shaking stops.
What should you do during an earthquake at home?
Stay inside and drop, cover and hold on in the room you are in. If you are in bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow.
What to do during an earthquake in a building?
Stay inside and get under a desk or table, away from windows. Do not run outside past windows and falling debris, and do not stand in a doorway.
Sources
Related guides
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