Earthquake Preparedness Checklist for Homeowners

Earthquakes give no warning. There is no season, no forecast, and no time to run to the store once the ground starts moving. What you can control is how ready your home and household are before that moment arrives.

Most earthquake injuries are not caused by buildings collapsing. They come from falling objects, broken glass, tipped furniture, fires, and chaos in the minutes right after the shaking. A solid preparedness checklist addresses all of those risks, one step at a time.

This guide walks through what to do before, during, and after an earthquake. Work through it over a few weekends rather than all at once, and you will end up with a home that is meaningfully safer.

Why a Written Checklist Helps

Preparedness is easy to postpone because nothing feels urgent. A checklist turns a vague worry into a set of specific tasks you can finish and mark off. It also gives every member of the household the same information, so no one has to guess what to do when adrenaline takes over.

Even completing a few items on this list, such as anchoring a tall bookcase or storing three days of water, lowers your risk noticeably.

Before an Earthquake: Secure Your Home

Anchor Furniture and Appliances

Anything heavy that can topple should be attached to a wall stud using brackets, straps, or mounting hardware rated for its weight.

Bookcases, shelving units, and tall cabinets
Televisions and monitors
Water heaters, secured with two straps around the upper and lower sections
Refrigerators, washers, and dryers, using latches or anchors
Mirrors, artwork, and heavy frames

Place heavy items on lower shelves. Keep beds, cribs, and favorite chairs away from windows, tall furniture, and anything that could fall on someone sleeping.

Reduce Glass and Falling-Object Hazards

Broken glass causes a large share of earthquake injuries. Simple fixes go a long way.

Apply safety film to large windows and glass doors, or hang heavy curtains that catch flying shards
Install childproof latches on kitchen and bathroom cabinets so dishes and bottles stay inside
Use removable putty or museum wax under decorative objects
Move breakables to low, closed cabinets
Add lip edges or guard rails to open shelves

Know Your Utility Shut-Off Points

Every adult in the home should know where the gas valve, water main, and electrical panel are and how to turn them off.

Keep a designated wrench near the gas meter, ideally attached with a tag
Shut off gas only if you smell or hear a leak, then leave the building and call for help
Shut off water if you suspect a broken pipe
Never turn gas back on yourself; a utility professional should handle that

Look at Your Home’s Structure

Some homes are more vulnerable than others. Warning signs include unreinforced brick or stone walls, unbolted wood framing, and a crawl space with weak bracing.

Also check that gas appliances connect through flexible tubing, which tolerates movement better than rigid pipe. If you spot structural concerns, have a licensed engineer or contractor evaluate them. Retrofitting is a real expense, but it is often the single most effective step a homeowner can take.

Build an Emergency Supply Kit

Aim for at least three days of supplies per person, and two weeks if space allows. Store everything in one easy-to-reach place, plus a smaller kit in each vehicle.

Water: one gallon per person per day, plus water for pets
Nonperishable food and a manual can opener
Flashlights and extra batteries, kept out of drawers that may jam
First aid kit and a whistle to signal for help
Prescription medications, eyeglasses, and copies of prescriptions
Dust masks, work gloves, and sturdy closed-toe shoes
Battery or hand-crank radio
Power banks and charging cables
Sanitation supplies, trash bags, and moist wipes
Cash in small bills, since card readers may be down

Make a Household Communication Plan

Phone networks overload quickly after a quake. Decide in advance how you will reconnect.

Choose one out-of-area contact everyone can call or text
Agree that texts are usually faster and more reliable than calls
Pick two meeting places: one right outside the home, one farther away
Confirm school and workplace pickup procedures for children
Plan for pets, including carriers, food, and a list of pet-friendly shelters
Store copies of IDs, insurance policies, and medical information in a waterproof bag and in the cloud

Review Insurance and Document Your Home

Standard homeowners policies often exclude earthquake damage. Ask your insurer whether you need a separate policy or an endorsement, and confirm what is covered for the structure, contents, and temporary housing. Renters should carry coverage for personal belongings too.

Walk through each room with your phone and record a video of everything you own. Store receipts for major purchases alongside that footage.

Practice Drills Twice a Year

The recommended response during shaking is Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

Drop to your hands and knees before the shaking knocks you down
Cover your head and neck under a sturdy table, or beside an interior wall away from windows
Hold on to your shelter and stay put until the shaking stops

Identify a safe spot in each room, and practice reaching it quickly. Include household members with mobility limitations in the plan, and rehearse how you would assist them.

During an Earthquake

Indoors: stay inside. Do not run outside during shaking, when falling debris is the biggest threat.
In bed: stay there and cover your head with a pillow.
Outdoors: move to an open area away from buildings, poles, and power lines.
Driving: pull over to a clear spot, set the parking brake, and remain in the vehicle.
Never use elevators.

After the Shaking Stops

Expect aftershocks, which can be strong enough to bring down weakened structures.

Check yourself and others for injuries before moving
Look for gas leaks, sparks, or smoke. If you smell gas, leave immediately
Wear shoes and gloves to avoid broken glass
Use flashlights, not candles, to prevent fires
Avoid phones except for genuine emergencies
Inspect your home for cracks, shifted framing, and damaged utilities before using it normally
Follow instructions from local officials rather than rumors

Quick Room-by-Room Checklist

Kitchen: cabinet latches, secured refrigerator, no glass jars on high shelves
Bedroom: anchored dressers, no heavy frames over the bed, shoes and flashlight within reach
Living room: mounted television, braced shelving, secured lamps
Bathroom: latched medicine cabinet, secured water heater, no loose mirrors
Garage: strapped water heater, stored chemicals on low shelves, tools secured
Hallways: clear exit paths and no tall unsecured furniture

Keep Your Readiness Current

A kit that expires is not much of a kit. Every six to twelve months, replace water, food, batteries, and medications, and update your contact list. Recheck straps and anchors for looseness, and run through a drill with everyone in the household. Set a reminder so the task does not drift.

The Bottom Line

You cannot stop an earthquake, but you can decide how well your home handles one. Anchoring furniture, securing utilities, storing supplies, and practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On cover the essentials. Start with the items that take minutes today, then work toward the bigger projects.

To keep building your household safety knowledge, explore our other guides on emergency kits, home maintenance, and everyday preparedness.