Earthquake: what to do before, during and after (complete guide)

Hundreds of millions of people live in seismic zones: from California, Japan and New Zealand to Turkey, Italy, Greece, the Balkans and Romania. The February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, which killed more than 50,000 people, were a brutal reminder of what’s at stake.

An earthquake can’t be predicted. But almost everything that matters for survival is decided before: how you’ve arranged your home, whether you have a go bag ready and whether you know what to do in the 20 to 60 seconds of shaking.

Before: prepare your home

Know your building

Find out whether your building has been assessed or strengthened for earthquakes. Many cities publish lists of buildings with high seismic risk. If you live in an older building, especially one built before modern seismic codes, ask your building management or local authority about its condition.

Secure what can fall

In modern earthquakes, most injuries don’t come from collapsing buildings but from objects that fall or fly across the room.

• Fix tall cupboards, bookcases and display cabinets to the wall with metal brackets or straps.
• Move heavy and glass items to the lower shelves.
• Don’t hang heavy frames, mirrors or shelves above beds or sofas.
• Strap down TVs and monitors.
• Put latches on kitchen cupboard doors.
• Make sure the water heater and boiler are firmly fixed to the wall.

Pick the safe spots in each room

Walk through your home with your family and pick a safe spot in every room: under a sturdy wooden table, against an interior wall, away from windows and from furniture that could topple. Identify the dangerous places too: large windows, the balcony, a kitchen full of loose objects.

Prepare the go bag and the plan

Keep the 72-hour emergency kit by the door, and a flashlight and a pair of shoes by every bed (after a night-time earthquake, the floor may be covered in glass). Agree your family meeting points and make sure everyone knows how to shut off the gas.

During the earthquake

If you’re indoors

Drop. Cover. Hold on.

1. Drop to your hands and knees before the shaking knocks you down.
2. Cover under a sturdy table or, if there isn’t one, protect your head and neck with your arms next to an interior wall.
3. Hold on to the table leg and move with it until the shaking stops completely.

Stay where you are. Don’t try to leave the building while it’s shaking.

• Don’t use the stairs. They are among the first elements to fail and fill with people rushing out.
• Don’t use the elevator. You can be trapped when the power goes.
• Don’t go out on the balcony and stay away from windows.
• If you’re in bed, stay there, turn face down and cover your head with the pillow.
• If you’re in the kitchen, move away from the stove, fridge and wall cupboards.

If you’re outside

Move away from buildings, walls, power lines, trees, signs and air conditioning units. Find an open space and drop until the shaking stops. The most dangerous place is right next to building facades, where plaster, bricks and glass fall.

If you’re driving

Stop as soon as it’s safe, away from buildings, bridges, overpasses and power lines. Stay in the car with your seatbelt on until the shaking stops. Then drive carefully: roads and bridges may be damaged.

If you’re in a public place

In a shop, cinema or school, don’t rush for the exit with the crowd. Drop between rows or next to a wall, protecting your head. A stampede at the doors can be more dangerous than the earthquake.

Immediately after

1. Check yourself and others. Give first aid if needed. Don’t move seriously injured people unless they are in immediate danger.
2. Put on shoes and grab a flashlight. Don’t light matches or lighters.
3. Gas: if you smell gas, shut off the main valve, open windows, don’t touch light switches and leave the building. Call the gas company or emergency services from outside.
4. Electricity and water: if you see sparks, damaged wiring or burst pipes, shut them off at the panel and the main valve.
5. Leave the building if it has large cracks, the structure is deformed, you smell gas or a fire has started. Go down the stairs calmly, with your go bag, without leaning on the railings.
6. Listen to the radio for official instructions. Use your phone only for emergencies and send texts instead of calling.
7. Expect aftershocks. They can come minutes, hours or days later and can bring down buildings already weakened.

If you’re trapped under debris

• Don’t light a flame. Cover your mouth and nose with a mask or a piece of cloth.
• Don’t shout continuously: you tire yourself and breathe in dust. Tap rhythmically on a pipe or wall, or use the whistle from your go bag.
• Move as little as possible so you don’t raise dust or shift the debris.
• If your phone has signal, call or text the emergency number with your location.

Earthquake myths

• “I should run outside immediately.” False. Most injuries happen when people try to move during the shaking.
• “The doorway is the safest place.” Only in old houses with solid frames. In modern buildings it gives no extra protection, and the door can hit you.
• “Animals can predict earthquakes.” There is no scientific evidence that they can be used for warnings.
• “Big earthquakes come at certain times or in hot weather.” False. Earthquakes don’t care about the weather or the time of day.

Preparation checklist

• I know whether my building has been assessed for seismic risk
• Tall cupboards and bookcases are fixed to the wall
• Heavy objects are on the lower shelves
• Nothing heavy hangs above the beds
• Everyone knows the safe spot in each room
• I know where the gas shut-off is and how to use it
• The go bag is by the door
• There’s a flashlight and shoes by every bed
• We’ve agreed a family meeting point
• We’ve practiced Drop, Cover, Hold on at least once