Make an earthquake family plan
Agree on meeting spots and an out-of-area contact before the next quake, learn the school's plan, and practice with the kids.
Short answer
Agree on a meeting spot near home, a second spot if you cannot go home, and one out-of-area contact everyone will text. Teach the kids that texts often get through when phone calls do not.
Ready.gov, Cal OES, and Earthquake Country Alliance all ask households to make this plan before the next quake. Print this page, fill in the blanks for your family, then share a photo of it with anyone who helps with the kids. If you live on the coast, also write down your tsunami meeting place on high ground.
Fill in your plan
| Plan item | Write yours here |
|---|---|
| Meeting spot right outside the home (after it is safe to go out) | |
| Meeting spot if you cannot go home | |
| Out-of-area contact (name and phone) | |
| School or daycare pickup plan, and who can pick up the kids | |
| Neighbor who can help (name and phone) | |
| Important medical notes (allergies, medications, access needs) | |
| Tsunami meeting place on high ground (coastal households) |
Steps
Pick the two meeting spots and the out-of-area contact
The out-of-area person is the one everyone texts to say they are safe. Local lines may be jammed, but a call or text out of the region can still work, and that person can pass messages along.
Learn the school's plan
Know whether the school holds students or releases them, and who is authorized to pick them up. Keep those names current.
Practice
Walk the kids to the meeting spot. Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Do it again on ShakeOut day, October 15.
Decide how you will tell people you are okay
Text, email, or a social media check-in is better than a phone call in the first hours. If you cannot reach someone and you are worried they are in danger, the American Red Cross can help with family reunification after a disaster.
Official sources
- Make an emergency plan — Ready.gov
- Contact and locate loved ones — American Red Cross
- Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety — Earthquake Country Alliance
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.