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Printable earthquake checklist

Emergency PrepSection 7 of 8California

A short list you can print and check off on paper, for this week, this month, during shaking, and after.

This week

  • Download MyShake, allow alerts, set HomeBase, and turn location to Always
  • Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On with everyone in the house, including in bed
  • Look up your address on MyHazards, including tsunami and wildfire layers
  • Sign up for your county's emergency alerts, and note your county Office of Emergency Services
  • Choose a meeting spot, a backup spot, and an out-of-area contact, and write them down
  • Ask the school or daycare what their earthquake plan is
  • Walk the house and move heavy items down and away from beds and exits

This month

  • Strap the water heater with a two-strap metal kit, or hire a plumber if the gas line is not flexible
  • Anchor tall furniture and TVs into studs, and add cabinet latches
  • Hang a shutoff wrench at the gas meter and show the household when (and when not) to use it
  • Build or buy a starter kit, then add water toward 2 weeks, and longer if you live in a remote area
  • Pack under-bed bags, a car kit, and a work or go bag
  • Set aside medications, child supplies, pet gear, cash, and copies of important documents
  • Check Earthquake Brace + Bolt eligibility by ZIP Code, or an HCD-certified mobile-home bracing system if that is your home, and look at earthquake insurance
  • If you live on or visit the coast, learn your tsunami zone and walking route to high ground

When the ground starts shaking

  • Drop, Cover, and Hold On (or Lock, Cover, and Hold On if you use a walker or wheelchair)
  • If you are in bed, stay there and cover your head and neck with a pillow
  • If you are outside, move away from buildings and wires if you can, then protect your head
  • If you are driving, pull over, set the brake, and stay in the car
  • Do not run outside and do not stand in a doorway

When the shaking stops

  • Check for injuries and put on sturdy shoes
  • If the building is damaged, get out and stay out
  • If you smell or hear gas, shut it off only then, leave, and call for help from a safe place
  • Shut off water or power only if you see damage, and never flip switches if you suspect a gas leak
  • Expect aftershocks; Drop, Cover, and Hold On each time
  • If you are in a tsunami hazard zone, or at the beach or a harbor, go inland or to high ground when you can move safely
  • Text your out-of-area contact, save voice calls for emergencies, and listen for official instructions

Disclosure and disclaimer — please read

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Not a substitute for official guidance: This 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.