Stay Safe During an Earthquake
Drop. Cover. Hold on.
In most situations, you can protect yourself if you immediately:
DROP down onto your hands and knees before the
earthquake knocks you down. This position protects you from
falling but allows you to still move if necessary.
COVER your head and neck (and your entire body if possible)
underneath a sturdy table or desk. If there is no shelter nearby,
get down near an interior wall or next to low-lying furniture that
won’t fall on you, and cover your head and neck with your arms
and hands.
HOLD ON to your shelter (or to your head and neck) until the
shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if the
shaking shifts it around.
If you are inside, stay inside.
DO NOT run outside or to other rooms during an earthquake. You are
less likely to be injured if you stay where you are.
To reduce your chances of being hurt, take the following actions:
If possible, within the few seconds before shaking intensifies,
quickly move away from glass, hanging objects, bookcases, china
cabinets, or other large furniture that could fall. Watch for falling
objects, such as bricks from fireplaces and chimneys, light
fixtures, wall hangings, high shelves, and cabinets with doors that
could swing open.
If available nearby, grab something to shield your head and face
from falling debris and broken glass.
If you are in the kitchen, quickly turn off the stove and take cover
at the first sign of shaking.
If you are in bed, hold on and stay there, protecting your head
with a pillow. You are less likely to be injured staying where you
are. Broken glass on the floor can cause injuries if you walk or roll
onto the floor.
DO NOT stand in a doorway. You are safer under a table. In
modern houses, doorways are no stronger than any other part of the
house. Doorways do not protect you from the most likely source of
injury − falling or flying objects. Most earthquake-related injuries and
deaths are caused by falling or flying objects (such as TVs, lamps,
glass, or bookcases), or by being knocked to the ground.
If you are in a high-rise building, drop, cover, and hold on.
Move away from windows and outside walls.
Stay in the building.
DO NOT use the elevators. The electricity may go out, and the
sprinkler systems may come on.
If you are trapped, stay calm. Try to get someone’s attention by
tapping on hard or metal parts of the structure. Doing so may
increase your chances of being rescued.
If you are inside a crowded place, drop, cover, and hold on.
Do not rush for the doorways. Others will have the same idea.
Move away from display shelves containing objects that may fall.
If you can, take cover and grab something to shield your head
and face from falling debris and glass.
If you are outside, stay outside.
Move away from buildings, utility wires, sinkholes, and fuel and
gas lines. The greatest danger from falling debris is just outside
doorways and close to outer walls of buildings.
Go to an open area away from trees, telephone poles, and
buildings. Once in the open, get down low and stay there until the
shaking stops.
The area near the outside walls of a building is the most
dangerous place to be. Windows, facades, and architectural
details are often the first parts of the building to collapse. Stay
away from this danger zone.
If you are in a moving vehicle, stop as quickly and safely as possible.
Move your car to the shoulder or curb, away from utility poles,
overhead wires, and under- or overpasses.
Stay in the car and set the parking brake. A car may jiggle
violently on its springs, but it is a good place to stay until the
shaking stops.
Turn on the radio for emergency broadcast information.
If a power line falls on the car, stay inside until a trained person
removes the wire.
When it is safe to begin driving again, watch for hazards created
by the earthquake, such as breaks in the pavement, downed
utility poles and wires, rising water levels, fallen overpasses, or
collapsed bridges.
If you are in a stadium or theater, stay in your seat. Protect your head and neck with
your arms or any way possible.
Do not leave until the shaking is over.
Walk out carefully watching for anything that could fall during the
aftershocks.
If you are near the shore, drop, cover, and hold on until the shaking stops.
If severe shaking lasts 20 seconds or more, immediately
evacuate to high ground as a tsunami might have been
generated by the earthquake.
Move inland 2 miles (3 kilometers) or to land that is at least 100
feet (30 meters) above sea level immediately. Don’t wait for
officials to issue a warning.
Walk quickly, rather than drive, to avoid traffic, debris, and other
hazards.
If you cannot drop to the ground, try to sit or remain seated so you are not knocked
down.
If you are in a wheelchair, lock your wheels. Remove any items
that are not securely attached to the wheelchair.
Protect your head and neck with a large book, a pillow, or your
arms. The goal is to prevent injuries from falling down or from
objects that might fall or be thrown at you.
If you are able, seek shelter under a sturdy table or desk. Stay
away from outer walls, windows, fireplaces, and hanging objects.
If you are unable to move from a bed or chair, protect yourself
from falling objects by covering up with blankets and pillows.
If you are outside, go to an open area away from trees, telephone
poles, and buildings, and stay there.
Earthquake
During an Earthquake
DROP
Drop to the floor, avoiding any falling objects or toppling furniture.
COVER
Take cover under a desk, table or other sturdy piece of furniture. If no
such furniture is present, seek cover against an interior wall while
protecting your head with your arms. Avoid windows, hanging objects,
mirrors and tall furniture.
HOLD ON
If you take cover under furniture, hold on tight and be prepared to
move with it. Do not release until the ground stops shaking.
Do not run outside.
Do not go to a doorway. (Doorways are no safer than other spaces, and a
swinging door can cause injury).
In a hallway, drop near an interior wall away from windows. Protect the back of
your head/neck with your arms.
If driving, pull to the side of the road and come to a stop. Stay in the car.
In an auditorium, drop to the ground between the seats. Protect the back of
your head/neck with your arms.
Outdoors, move away from buildings to an open area; avoid power lines.
In bed, stay there, and protect your head with a pillow.
When the Shaking Stops
Check for injuries to people in the area.
Call for medical assistance and render first aid if required.
Check the area for hazards such as building damage, fires or gas leaks. If the
building appears to be unsafe, leave the building and report any urgent problem.
Listen to a battery-operated radio for emergency information.
Earthquake Aftermath
Be prepared for aftershocks.
Wear sturdy shoes to avoid injury from broken glass.
Do not use elevators.
Do not use telephones except in a serious emergency.
Assist others in the area.
Report injuries or damage to the nearest emergency response team or to the
USC Department of Public Safety.
Evacuate the building. Do not re-enter until it has been assessed for damage and
deemed safe by inspectors.
While evacuating, observe the following procedures:
Turn off all electrical equipment.
Bring emergency supplies and purses/wallets with you.
Do not leave anyone behind. Assist those with disabilities
Close all doors behind you.
Use the stairs only. Never take the elevator.
Assemble in a safe outdoor area.
Cooperate with emergency response teams.