Set up earthquake early warning, secure your home, build a kit, and know what to do during and after the shaking. The safety steps follow current official guidance from Ready.gov, FEMA, the American Red Cross, Earthquake Country Alliance, USGS, Cal OES, and the California Earthquake Authority.
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Short answer
Earthquakes can happen anywhere in California, with little or no warning, and most injuries come from falling furniture and objects. Get alerts, strap the water heater and tall furniture, store water and supplies for at least 3 days (ideally 2 weeks), make a family plan, and practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
The full item list — water, food, light, first aid, and the extras for kids, pets, and the car — is in section 3. Only five key add-ons are linked there: water storage, a NOAA weather radio, a gas shutoff wrench, a water-heater strap kit, and furniture straps.
See the build-your-own kit list →
The guide is split into eight sections. Each one stands on its own — read it in order, or jump to what you need.
Earthquakes can happen anywhere in California. This section covers why prep matters, regional risks on the coast, in fire country, and in remote areas, and how to set up ShakeAlert, MyShake, and your county alerts.
Section 1 of 8Most injuries in California earthquakes come from falling objects, not collapsing buildings. This section walks through the DIY jobs that make a house safer, and it flags retrofit and mobile-home work that needs a permit or a pro.
Section 2 of 8The easy option is one ready-made kit, then add water. If you would rather build your own, this section has the full item list, how much water to store, and extras for kids, pets, medications, the car, work, and under the bed.
Section 3 of 8Agree on meeting spots and an out-of-area contact before the next quake, learn the school's plan, and practice with the kids.
Section 4 of 8When the ground shakes, or when an early-warning alert arrives, Drop, Cover, and Hold On. This section covers what to do indoors, in bed, outdoors, and in the car.
Section 5 of 8When the shaking stops, check for injuries and damage, watch for aftershocks, and only shut off gas if you smell or hear a leak. If you are in a tsunami hazard zone, head inland or to high ground once you can move safely.
Section 6 of 8A short list you can print and check off on paper, for this week, this month, during shaking, and after.
Section 7 of 8Official sources used in this guide, and where to go for local help.
Section 8 of 8This guide is general home-preparedness information for a general audience. It is not a substitute for official instructions from emergency managers, your utility, or first responders, and it is not a building inspection, a permit, or professional engineering, plumbing, or electrical advice. Local codes and permit rules apply, especially for gas, electrical, and structural work. In an emergency, follow official alerts and call 9-1-1 for life-threatening situations. Safety steps were checked against official public guidance current as of November 2026; official pages can be updated, so follow the source if it differs from this guide.