Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety

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• Create an earthquake safety plan for you and your loved ones, including pets.

• Identify safe places in each room of your home.

• Know your risk for earthquakes in your area and what you must do to stay safe.

• Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On with each member of your household.

• Make or purchase earthquake safety kits.

• Find out if your home is in need of earthquake retrofitting and eligible for a grant.

• Identify and fix potential earthquake hazards in your home.

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The key to being safe during an earthquake is preparation. While an earthquake safety kit will be of help after an earthquake, nothing replaces the conversations you have with your family members before an earthquake.

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Earthquake warning systems

 

The Earthquake Warning For California systems use science, state-of-the-art ground motion monitoring, as well as new and existing alerting methods to deliver warnings to people via cell phones before the strongest shaking arrives. Seconds to tens of seconds of alert can provide opportunity to take life-saving actions such as Drop, Cover, and Hold On and put devices into various forms of a safe mode. This link provides access to a number of alert systems including MyShake and Wireless Emergency Alerts.

 

Earthquake preparedness guides

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• A guide from the City of Berkeley

• A guide from the CDC

• A guide from the Red Cross

 

Gas shut-off valve

 

Is your home equipped with an automatic gas shut-off valve? If not, consider adding one for your safety and that of everyone around you. Find more information from PG&E on gas shutoff devices.

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Earthquake response myths 

 

An expert at the SoCal Earthquake Center debunks myths about what to do in an earthquake.