Earthquakes can happen without warning and may cause anything from mild to severe shaking. Knowing what to do before, during and after an earthquake can help protect you, your family and your property.

During an earthquake: Drop, Cover and Hold On.

• Use free preparedness resources. Download or order free emergency preparedness materials from Ready.gov to help your family plan and prepare.
• Practice your plan. Emergency drills aren’t just for school or work. Practice at home so everyone knows what to do, where to go and how to respond during an emergency.
• Create a family communication plan. Make sure everyone knows how to contact one another and where to meet if you become separated. Use the Ready Kids family emergency plan resources to get started.
• Make preparedness fun. Turn building your emergency kit into a scavenger hunt. Have kids search the house for supplies you already have and see how many items you can check off the Ready.gov emergency supply list.
• Know your local risks. Learn which disasters and hazards could affect your area, how you’ll receive emergency alerts and where you would go if you need to evacuate. Visit Ready.gov’s Be Informed resources to learn more.

• Review your family emergency plan together. Talk with your kids about how your family will communicate, where you will meet and what they should do if an emergency happens when you aren’t together.
• Talk about emergencies before they happen. Age-appropriate conversations can help children understand what to expect and feel more prepared. Find tips for talking with kids about disasters and emergencies.
• Know your child’s school emergency plan. Learn how your child’s school handles evacuations, sheltering and family reunification, including where and how you would pick up your child following an emergency.
• Make preparedness fun. Kids can test their knowledge and build preparedness skills with Ready.gov’s preparedness games.
• Get teens involved. Teen CERT programs introduce young people to emergency preparedness, response skills and ways they can help their communities. Learn more about Teen CERT.
• Get involved in your community. Help young people discover ways to participate in preparedness activities and make their communities more resilient through Youth Preparedness Programs

• Make a plan before an emergency happens. Knowing what to do ahead of time can help everyone in your household respond quickly and safely. Use Ready.gov’s emergency plan guide to get started.
• Know how you’ll communicate. Discuss how your household will contact one another, where you will meet and how you will reconnect if you become separated during an emergency.
• Practice your plan. Make sure everyone in your household understands the plan and practice it together so you’re ready when it matters.
• Plan for where you live. Evacuation needs can be different for houses, apartments, mobile homes and high-rise buildings. Learn how to plan for different locations.
• Get the whole family involved. Include children in emergency planning and talk with them about what to expect. Helping kids understand the plan can help them feel more prepared and confident during an emergency.

• Build or update your emergency kit. Use Ready.gov’s emergency supply checklist to make sure you have the essentials your household may need.
• Have enough supplies for several days. Include food, water, medications, face masks, disinfecting supplies and other household essentials.
• Don’t forget your pets. Include food, water, medications and other supplies your pets may need during an emergency or evacuation.
• Plan for individual needs. Consider medications, medical equipment, mobility devices and other items used daily by members of your household. Learn more about emergency preparedness for people with disabilities.
• Keep medications on hand. When possible, include at least a three-day supply of necessary medications in your emergency supplies.
• Check your kit regularly. Replace expired food, medications, batteries and other outdated supplies.
• Get kids involved. Have children help build their own emergency kit using the Ready Kids Build a Kit guide. Include comfort items such as a favorite stuffed animal, books, games or music.
• Make preparedness fun. Kids can learn what belongs in an emergency kit with the Ready Kids preparedness games.