A practical guide to earthquake-proofing your home and assembling emergency supplies, from furniture anchoring to water storage and evacuation readiness.
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Furniture and Fixture Anchoring
Secure tall bookshelves and cabinets to wall studs
Use L-brackets or anti-tip straps rated for the furniture's weight. Anchor into studs, not just drywall — a drywall anchor holds about 50 pounds, while a stud anchor holds 200+ pounds.
Locate wall studs behind each piece of tall furniture
Install L-brackets or furniture straps at the top
Strap your water heater to the wall
Water heaters can shift and rupture gas lines during shaking. Use 2 straps: one in the upper third and one in the lower third. Strapping kits cost $15-$30 and take about 30 minutes to install.
Secure TVs and monitors with anti-tip straps or wall mounts
A 55-inch TV weighs 30-50 pounds and can fly off a stand during a magnitude 6.0+ quake. Wall mounts with articulating arms are the safest option. Anti-tip straps work for units on stands.
Apply museum putty or quake gel under fragile items
Museum putty holds objects up to 5 pounds on shelves during moderate shaking. Use it under vases, picture frames, and decorative items. It removes cleanly from most surfaces without leaving residue.
Install latches on kitchen cabinets to prevent doors from swinging open
Heavy dishes and glassware become projectiles when cabinets fly open. Child-proof latches work well and cost under $1 each. Focus on upper cabinets first since those items fall the farthest.
Emergency Kit Assembly
Store 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days
After a major earthquake, water service can be disrupted for 1-2 weeks. A family of 4 needs a minimum of 12 gallons for 3 days, but 7 days of supply (28 gallons) is recommended in high-risk zones.
Fill and date food-grade water containers
Set a calendar reminder to replace water every 6 months
Pack a first aid kit and 7-day supply of medications
Include triangle bandages for splints, since broken bones are common earthquake injuries. Add dust masks (N95 or better) to protect against airborne debris. Refill medications before they drop below a 7-day supply.
Store a wrench near the gas meter for emergency shutoff
A 12-inch adjustable wrench works for most residential gas meters. Attach it to the meter with a wire or zip tie so it is always there when needed. Only shut off gas if you smell it or see a broken line.
Keep sturdy shoes and a flashlight under each bed
Broken glass is the most common post-earthquake injury inside homes. Hard-soled shoes prevent cuts when walking through debris in the dark. A small LED flashlight taped to the bed frame is always within reach.
Pack a bag with cash, copies of IDs, and insurance documents
ATMs and card readers go down when power is out. Keep $300-$500 in small bills ($5s and $10s) in your emergency kit. Include photocopies of driver's licenses, insurance policies, and property deeds.
Gas and Utility Safety
Learn the location and operation of your gas shutoff valve
The main shutoff is typically at the gas meter on the exterior wall. Turn the valve a quarter turn so it sits crosswise to the pipe. Practice this so you can do it quickly in the dark.
Locate the main gas shutoff valve at the meter
Practice turning the valve with the designated wrench
Know how to shut off water at the main valve
The main water shutoff is usually near the street at the water meter or where the supply line enters your house. Gate valves need multiple turns; ball valves need a quarter turn. Test yours once a year to prevent it from seizing.
Locate your electrical panel and know how to turn off the main breaker
After an earthquake, turn off the main breaker if you see sparks, smell burning, or notice damaged wiring. The main breaker is the large switch at the top or bottom of the panel, rated between 100-200 amps for most homes.
Install flexible gas connectors on appliances
Rigid gas pipes can crack during shaking. Flexible corrugated stainless steel connectors absorb movement without breaking. They cost $15-$25 each and should be installed by a licensed plumber on stoves, dryers, and water heaters.
Drop, Cover, and Hold Practice
Identify safe spots in every room of your home
The safest position is under a sturdy desk or table, away from windows and heavy objects that could fall. Interior walls are safer than exterior ones. Doorways are not safer than tables in modern construction.
Walk through each room and note the safest location
Clear clutter from under desks and tables used as shelter
Practice drop-cover-hold with all household members
Drop to hands and knees, take cover under furniture and hold on to its legs, and hold that position until shaking stops. Most earthquakes last 10-30 seconds but aftershocks can follow within minutes. Run the drill twice a year.
Plan actions for when you are in bed, driving, or outdoors
In bed: cover your head with a pillow and stay put. Driving: pull over away from overpasses and power lines, set the parking brake. Outdoors: move to an open area away from buildings. Most injuries happen from running during shaking.
Building and Insurance Assessment
Check if your home is bolted to its foundation
Homes built before 1980 often sit on foundations without anchor bolts. A retrofit costs $3,000-$7,000 but prevents the house from sliding off the foundation, which is the most expensive type of earthquake damage to repair.
Inspect the crawl space or basement for foundation bolts
Get a retrofit quote if bolts are missing
Inspect your chimney for cracks and loose bricks
Unreinforced brick chimneys are the most common structural failure in moderate earthquakes. A cracked chimney can collapse onto the roof or into the living space. Repair costs $1,000-$4,000 depending on damage.
Review your homeowner's insurance for earthquake coverage
Standard homeowner's policies exclude earthquake damage. Separate earthquake insurance typically has a 10-15% deductible based on dwelling value. For a $400,000 home, that means $40,000-$60,000 out of pocket before coverage kicks in.
Document your home's contents with video and photos
Record a room-by-room walkthrough showing furniture, electronics, and valuables. Open closets and drawers on camera. Store the video in cloud storage. This documentation can cut weeks off the insurance claims process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What supplies should I have in an earthquake emergency kit?
FEMA recommends a minimum 72-hour supply of water (one gallon per person per day), non-perishable food, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight, first aid kit, and a 7-day supply of medications. Store the kit in an easily accessible location near an exit — not in the basement or a locked closet. Add $200-$500 cash in small bills, since ATMs and card readers go offline when power is disrupted after a major quake.
Does homeowners insurance cover earthquake damage?
Standard homeowners insurance policies exclude earthquake damage entirely — you need a separate earthquake policy or endorsement. In California, the California Earthquake Authority (CEA) offers policies starting at $800-$3,000 annually with deductibles of 5-25% of the home's insured value. That high deductible means on a $500,000 home, you'd pay the first $25,000-$125,000 of damage out of pocket before coverage kicks in.
How do I secure furniture to prevent earthquake injuries?
Anchor tall bookcases, dressers, and entertainment centers to wall studs using L-brackets or furniture straps rated for 50+ lbs of force. Water heaters must be double-strapped to the wall with heavy-gauge metal straps per code in seismic zones — an unsecured 40-gallon water heater weighs 350+ lbs when full and can rupture gas lines if it falls. Museum putty or quake hold gel secures TVs, vases, and framed items on shelves and mantels at a cost of under $10 per room.
What should I do in the first 60 seconds after an earthquake?
If indoors, drop to your hands and knees, take cover under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on until the shaking stops — do not run outside or stand in a doorway (both are outdated advice). After shaking stops, check for gas leaks by smell (do not use matches or lighters), turn off the gas at the meter if you detect a leak, and exit the building if you see structural damage. Expect aftershocks within minutes to hours; the largest aftershock is typically one magnitude lower than the main quake.