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In this Article

• How can I be prepared for an earthquake?
• What are earthquake practice drills?
• What are earthquake evacuation plans?
• What type of priorities and personal documentation paperwork should I prepare?
• What should I do during an earthquake?
• Indoor safety
• Outdoor safety
• Automobiles
• What are emergency supplies for earthquake preparedness?
• First aid kit
• Survival kit for your home
• Survival kit for your automobile
• Survival kit for your workplace
• Food and water
• Emergency water storage and purification
• What are safe water sources in the home?
• What are unsafe water sources?
• What water is safe for drinking and cooking?
• What about emergency food?
• How should I store store emergency food?
• How should I use use emergency food?
• Find a local Doctor in your town
• Earthquake Supplies Kit and Emergency Preparedness Index

If an earthquake occurs, you may need to evacuate a damaged area afterward. By planning and practicing for evacuation, you will be better prepared to respond appropriately and efficiently to signs of danger or to directions by civil authorities.

• Take a few minutes with your family to discuss a home evacuation plan. Sketch a floor plan of your home; walk through each room and discuss evacuation details.
  
  
• Plan a second way to exit from each room or area, if possible. If you need special equipment, such as a rope ladder, mark where it is located.
  
  
• Mark where your emergency food, water, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers are located.
  
  
• Mark where the utility switches or valves are located so that they can be turned off, if possible.
  
  
• Indicate the location of your family's emergency outdoor meeting place.

Take time before an earthquake strikes to write an emergency priority list, including:

• important items to be hand-carried by you
  
  
• other items, in order of importance to you and your family
  
  
• items to be removed by car or truck if one is available
  
  
• things to do if time permits, such as locking doors and windows, turning off the utilities, etc.

Make a list of important information and put it in a secure location. Include on your list:

• important telephone numbers, such as police, fire, paramedics, and medical centers
  
  
• the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of your insurance agents, including policy types and numbers
  
  
• the telephone numbers of the electric, gas, and water companies
  
  
• the names and telephone numbers of neighbors
  
  
• the name and telephone number of your landlord or property manager
  
  
• important medical information, such as allergies, regular medications, etc.
  
  
• the vehicle identification number, year, model, and license number of your automobile, boat, RV, etc.
  
  
• your bank's or credit union's telephone number, account types, and numbers
  
  
• radio and television broadcast stations to tune to for emergency broadcast information

Gather and Store Important Documents in a Fire-Proof Safe

• Birth certificates
  
  
• Ownership certificates (automobiles, boats, etc.)
  
  
• Social Security cards
  
  
• Insurance policies
  
  
• Wills
  
  
• Household inventory, including:
  
  
  • list of contents
    
    
  • photographs of contents of every room
    
    
  • photographs of items of high value, such as jewelry, paintings, collectors' items