Earthquakes can bring mild to violent shaking and can occur anytime, anywhere. This guide can help you protect yourself, your family, and your property before, during, and after an earthquake.

How to Prepare for an Earthquake

• Download or order your free preparedness products to help your family plan and prepare for the next emergency. www.ready.gov/publications
• Drills aren’t just for your toolbox. Practice emergency drills with your family regularly. 
• Emergencies can happen anytime, and less than half of American families have a communication plan. Plan ahead: www.ready.gov/kids/make-a-plan 
• Make preparing fun for kids! Go on a scavenger hunt around your house for items you already have to add to your disaster supply kit. Follow this list: www.ready.gov/kit and see how many items you can check off!
• Know what disasters and hazards could affect your area, how to get emergency alerts, and where you would go if you and your family need to evacuate. Visit: www.ready.gov/be-informed.

• Review your family emergency communications plan with kids at your next household meeting.
• Need tips for talking to your kids about natural disasters? Visit www.ready.gov/kids/parents
• Many Americans aren’t familiar with their child’s school evacuation & reunification plans. Are you?
• Kids can become Disaster Masters with this @Readygov preparedness game: www.ready.gov/kids/games 
• Get involved in Teen CERT. Find opportunities by learning about Teen CERT online: www.ready.gov/kids/teen-cert
• Your community needs YOU! Find opportunities to help your community here: www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness

• Prepare To Protect means preparing to protect everyone you love. Start by making a plan before disasters and emergencies strike. www.ready.gov/plan
• Discuss with your household or family how you will communicate if there is an emergency.
• Decide and practice your emergency plan with members of your household.
• Houses, mobile homes, apartments, and high-rise buildings have different evacuation considerations. Make a plan for each: www.ready.gov/plan-for-locations 
• Involve your entire family, including your children, in planning for disasters and emergencies so they are prepared, not afraid www.ready.gov/plan 

• Create or update your emergency supplies with this list: www.ready.gov/kit
• Make sure your emergency kit is ready to go in case you need evacuate. Include:
  • Enough food and water to last several days.
  • Medication, face masks and disinfectant for everyone in your household.
  • Pet supplies.
• When building a kit, people with disabilities should consider the items they use daily, as well as life-sustaining items. www.ready.gov/disability
• Have medication for at least three days in your emergency supplies.
• Check the expiration date on your emergency supplies, and replace any old items. 
• Get the kids involved in building their own emergency kit: www.ready.gov/kids/build-a-kit
• Kids bored? We can help. Check out our online Ready Kids Build A Kit game: www.ready.gov/kids/games 
• Include your child’s favorite stuffed animals, board games, books or music in their emergency kit to comfort them in a disaster.