When an earthquake hits, where you are in your home can make all the difference. The safest spots in a home sit under sturdy furniture or against interior walls, away from windows, heavy objects, and anything that could fall. If you know these areas ahead of time, you can act fast when the shaking starts.
Earthquake risks depend on your home’s design, but some safety basics always apply. You’ll find that interior rooms with solid structural support give better protection than spots near outside walls.
Rooms without tall, unsecured furniture or overhead hazards also help lower the risk of injury.
Take time to spot these safe locations in each room. If you remove hazards, you’ll boost your chances of staying safe.
With some preparation, you can get to a secure spot in seconds, even if the quake catches you off guard.
Understanding Earthquake Risks and Safety
Earthquakes can damage structures, disrupt services, and create hazards both inside and out. If you know where earthquakes happen most, how to prepare, and which agencies offer guidance, you’ll lower your risk of injury and property loss.
Recognizing Earthquake-Prone Areas
Some places get earthquakes more often because they’re near fault lines or have extra seismic activity. Sure, California and Alaska get all the attention, but states like Oklahoma have seen more quakes lately too.
In Oklahoma, earthquakes come from both natural and human causes. Residents can check seismic hazard maps from the U.S. Geological Survey to see how likely earthquakes are in their area.
Local universities, like Oklahoma State University Extension, share community-specific earthquake safety tips. They might help you figure out if your soil type makes shaking worse or offer advice on retrofitting older homes.
If you learn about your local geology and earthquake history, you’ll be able to make smarter choices about strengthening your home and securing heavy objects.
The Importance of Earthquake Preparedness
Being prepared for earthquakes can keep you safer and protect your home. The “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” method shields you from falling debris and unstable furniture.
Families should pick out safe spots in every room—under sturdy tables or next to interior walls, far from windows. Anchor heavy items to the wall, and keep breakables low.
Build an emergency kit with water, non-perishable food, flashlights, a first aid kit, and copies of important documents. Practicing earthquake drills helps everyone react quickly.
It’s smart to know how to shut off gas and water lines to prevent fires and flooding after a quake.
Role of FEMA and Local Resources
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) shares detailed earthquake preparedness guides, safety checklists, and hazard maps. These tools help people understand their risk and plan ahead.
Local agencies and extension services, like Oklahoma State University Extension, take FEMA’s advice and tweak it for their own communities. They might run workshops, hand out printed materials, or do home safety inspections.
FEMA also encourages neighborhoods to work together on preparedness. Community programs can include communication plans and shared safe areas.
If you use both national and local resources, you’ll get a clearer picture of your risk and practical steps to make your home safer.
Identifying Safe Spots in Every Room
When an earthquake strikes, you want to be somewhere that keeps you away from falling objects, broken glass, and structural damage. Picking the right spot can prevent serious injury and help you stay safer until the shaking stops.
Best Locations for Shelter Indoors
The safest bet is under sturdy, heavy furniture like solid wood tables or desks. These shield you from debris and protect your head and upper body.
Interior walls, especially those away from windows, give extra protection. If you get close to the wall and cover your head and neck, you’ll avoid a lot of injuries from loose stuff.
Doorways aren’t always the best choice—unless they’re part of a load-bearing wall and have no swinging doors or glass panels.
Examples of safer spots:
- Under a heavy dining table in the kitchen or living room
- Against an interior wall in a hallway
- In a bathroom with reinforced walls and fewer windows
Avoiding Common Hazards
Rooms with large windows or glass doors can be risky because of flying glass. Stay away from mirrors, framed pictures, or glass cabinets.
Keep clear of tall, unsecured furniture like bookshelves or wardrobes. These can fall over during strong shaking. Heavy appliances, like refrigerators, should be anchored or avoided.
Overhead hazards—think hanging lights, ceiling fans, or overhead storage—can fall. Take a quick look around each room before an earthquake to spot these threats.
Hazards to avoid:
| Hazard Type | Example Items | Risk During Earthquake |
|---|---|---|
| Glass & Windows | Sliding doors, large mirrors | Shattering, cuts |
| Unsecured Furniture | Bookshelves, tall cabinets | Tipping, crushing |
| Overhead Objects | Chandeliers, heavy decor | Falling impact |
Finding Alternative Safe Spaces
If you don’t have sturdy furniture nearby, pick a spot next to an interior wall, crouch low, and cover your head and neck with your arms.
Small, enclosed spaces like closets or storage rooms can be safer if there’s nothing heavy stored overhead.
In multi-story buildings, avoid stairwells during shaking. Know where they are for evacuation after the shaking stops.
Basements might offer shelter if they’re structurally sound, but only if there’s no risk of flooding or collapse.
If you’re stuck outside, move to an open area away from buildings, trees, and power lines.
Securing Your Home to Minimize Hazards
How well you secure your home before an earthquake can really affect your safety. Things that shift, fall, or tip over can hurt you or block your way out. If you take action now, you’ll limit earthquake damage and make your home safer for everyone inside.
Anchoring Heavy Furniture and Appliances
Tall or heavy furniture—bookcases, wardrobes, shelving units—can fall over during strong shaking. Secure them to wall studs with L‑brackets or furniture straps to keep them in place.
Large appliances like refrigerators and freezers should be anchored with metal straps or bolted brackets. This keeps them from sliding and damaging gas or electrical connections.
Oklahoma State University Extension suggests attaching fasteners to solid framing, not just drywall. Fasten into studs or masonry for the strength you need.
Don’t put heavy items on top shelves. If you have to store them high, use edge guards or non‑slip mats to help keep them from falling.
Securing Wall Hangings and Decorations
Mirrors, artwork, and shelves on the wall can turn dangerous if they fall. Use closed‑loop hangers or earthquake‑resistant hooks to keep them up.
For heavier items, screw them directly into wall studs instead of using nails. Lightweight decorations can stick with removable adhesive putty.
Put safety film on glass frames to help keep them from shattering. Don’t hang heavy things over beds, sofas, or spots where people sit a lot.
Shelves for breakables should have lip edges or guard rails. That way, stuff won’t slide off during a quake.
Stabilizing Water Heaters and Utilities
Water heaters can tip in a quake, breaking water lines and gas connections. Secure them with two metal straps—one near the top, one near the bottom—anchored into wall studs.
Flexible gas and water connectors help reduce pipe strain and lower leak risk. Install these by the book or hire a pro.
Keep electrical panels and utility shut‑offs easy to reach after an earthquake. Mark shut‑off valves clearly so you can turn them off fast if needed.
Oklahoma State University Extension points out that securing utilities can help prevent fires and floods after a quake.
Organizing Kitchen and Storage Areas
Cabinets can spill their contents during shaking, making a mess and causing injuries. Install cabinet latches to keep doors closed.
Store heavy cookware, glassware, and canned goods on lower shelves. This lowers the center of gravity and cuts down on falling hazards.
Use non‑slip liners in drawers and shelves to keep things from sliding. In pantries or storage rooms, secure shelves to the wall and don’t stack heavy boxes high.
Keep an emergency supply of water, food, and first aid in a stable, easy-to-reach spot. That way, you’ll have what you need even if other storage areas get damaged.
Developing and Practicing a Family Disaster Plan
A prepared household can react quicker and more safely during an earthquake. If you communicate clearly, practice regularly, and set meeting points in advance, you’ll cut confusion and help everyone know what to do.
Creating a Household Communication Strategy
A household communication strategy helps everyone reconnect after an earthquake, even if phones are jammed. Families should keep a printed list of emergency contacts, including local numbers and an out-of-area contact who can relay messages.
Teach everyone how to send a quick text instead of calling—texts usually work when calls don’t. FEMA recommends using a simple check-in phrase like “I’m safe” to confirm status fast.
It’s wise to plan backup communication tools. Try two-way radios, satellite phones, or set up neighborhood checkpoints for in-person updates.
Store this plan in a few places: on a wallet card, the fridge, and in emergency kits. Review it once a year to keep info current.
Coordinating Earthquake Drills
Regular earthquake drills help everyone remember what to do and react without freezing up. Each family member should practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” in different rooms so they know the safest spots.
Practice being indoors, outdoors, or even in a car. Rotate through these scenarios to feel confident anywhere.
Set a timer to make the drill feel sudden, like a real quake. Afterward, talk about what worked and what needs fixing.
FEMA and local agencies sometimes run community-wide drills. Joining in gives families a chance to practice together and learn from the pros.
Designating Meeting Points and Evacuation Routes
Pick meeting points so your family can reunite if you get separated. Choose one spot near your home, like the front yard, and another farther away in case your area isn’t safe.
Make sure evacuation routes are clear and usable for everyone—kids, seniors, and pets included. Keep these paths free of clutter and check them often for changes.
Post a simple map of your home and neighborhood showing exits, safe zones, and routes to meeting points. Walk these routes during drills so they’re familiar.
If you live near the coast, add a route to higher ground in case of a tsunami. This could be life-saving if a tsunami warning follows the quake.
Preparing Emergency Kits and Supplies
A solid emergency kit helps you stay safe and self-sufficient after an earthquake. Stock up on food, water, first aid, communication tools, and comfort items to last several days without outside help.
Essential Items for Shelter-In-Place
Earthquakes can knock out utilities, roads, and stores. Store at least three days of non-perishable food and one gallon of water per person per day.
A basic kit might include:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Food | Canned goods, energy bars, dried fruit |
| Water | Bottled water, purification tablets |
| Lighting | Flashlight, headlamp, extra batteries |
| Health & Safety | First aid kit, medications, gloves |
| Tools & Communication | Multi-tool, whistle, battery-powered or hand-crank radio |
Blankets, sturdy shoes, and personal hygiene items like soap and moist towelettes can make things more comfortable and help prevent health problems. Store kits somewhere easy to grab and check them twice a year for expired stuff.
Storing Documents and Important Information
Earthquakes can wipe out paper records and make it tough to prove who you are or get into important accounts. Keep your most important documents in waterproof and fire-resistant containers.
Some examples:
- Identification (passports, driver’s licenses)
- Insurance policies
- Medical records and prescriptions
- Property deeds or rental agreements
- Emergency contact list
You can also store digital copies on an encrypted USB drive or a secure cloud service. It’s smart to have both physical and electronic backups, just in case one isn’t available when you need it.
If you keep these items near your emergency kit, you’ll be able to grab them fast if you have to evacuate.
Including Pets and Special Needs
Don’t forget your pets when prepping for earthquakes. They need their own supplies—food, water, bowls, leashes, carriers, and any meds. Double-check that their ID tags and microchip info are current.
If someone in your home has special needs, plan for extra medical supplies, mobility aids, or communication devices. You might need backup power, like battery packs for medical equipment.
Label these items and store them with your main emergency kit. That way, you won’t leave anything behind in the chaos of an evacuation or while sheltering in place.
Post-Earthquake Safety Checks and Damage Assessment
Once the shaking stops, you’ll need to check your home carefully. Acting fast can help prevent injuries, avoid fire or gas hazards, and spot damage before it gets worse.
Quick checks also make it easier to document everything for insurance or repairs later.
Inspecting Structural Integrity
Start by looking at the outside of your home. Check for cracks in the foundation, leaning walls, or gaps near the roofline. These signs can mean serious structural damage.
Inside, look at load-bearing walls, ceilings, and stairs for new cracks or warping. If doors or windows suddenly stick or won’t close, that might mean the frame shifted.
If you notice sagging floors, bulging walls, or weird creaking, get out right away. Only a qualified structural engineer or building inspector can say if it’s safe to go back in.
The Oklahoma State University Extension suggests taking photos of all visible damage before making any repairs. That’ll help with insurance claims and make sure repairs get done right.
Checking for Utility Leaks and Hazards
Gas leaks are a big deal. If you smell gas, hear a hissing sound, or see damaged pipes, turn off the main valve outside and leave the building. Call the gas company before going back in.
Check electrical systems for frayed wires, scorch marks, or tripped breakers. Don’t flip any switches until you know it’s safe. Damaged wiring can start fires.
Broken water lines can flood your home or contaminate your water. Watch for wet spots, pooling water, or low water pressure. If you find a leak, turn off the main water supply.
Skip open flames until you’re sure all gas and electrical hazards are gone. Use flashlights instead of candles to avoid starting a fire.
Assessing Interior and Exterior Damage
Start by looking around inside your home for fallen debris, broken glass, or damaged furniture that might block your way out. Try to clear a safe path so you can move around without tripping or getting hurt.
Head outside and check the roof—see if any shingles look loose, if there are spots that seem to sag, or if you can spot any obvious holes. While you’re at it, take a look from the ground for chimneys that lean or gutters that look like they’re pulling away.
Stay away from damaged walls, fences, or trees outside, since you never know when they might fall. If you spot any downed power lines, call the electric company right away and don’t get close to them.
Check outbuildings, garages, and fences for damage too, since those can be risky. Jot down everything you find—trust me, it’ll help later with repairs and insurance claims.