Seven Steps That May Save Your Life

Earthquakes and tsunamis are inevitable but the damage is not—even in a great earthquake on the Cascadia subduction zone. Most damage and loss can be reduced by steps you take before, during, and after.

The seven steps that follow include actions to keep you and your loved ones safe, reduce potential damage and recover quickly.

These steps should also be followed in schools, workplaces, and other facilities. By following them, countless casualties can be avoided and millions of dollars saved.

Preparation is the key to surviving a disaster—that much is clear—but where should you start? Start by talking—talk to your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers about what you’ve learned in this handbook about earthquakes and tsunamis in Northern California. Then discuss what you have done to prepare and together plan your next steps.

Many people are overwhelmed by the mere prospect of a natural disaster and, as a result, don’t prepare at all. Do not fall into that trap. You can start today by following these seven steps.

Visit earthquakecountry.org for instructions and resources.

preview of seven steps pdfDownload a PDF
of the Seven Steps

PREPARE

Step 1: Know Your Tsunami Zone - Secure Your Space
  • Determine if you live, work or play in a tsunami hazard zone
  • Identify items that may fall, topple or slide
  • Secure potentially hazardous and valuable items
Step 2: Plan to Be Safe
  • Discuss with your family and colleagues
  • Create your emergency plan
  • Identify your methods of communication
  • Sign up for emergency alerts
Step 3: Organize Disaster Supplies
  • Gather suplies and identify storage locations
  • Create Grab and Go Bags kits for home, work, and car
Step 4: Minimize Financial Hardships
  • Identify weaknesses in your building and fix them
  • Organize important documents and store copies electronically
  • Take an inventory of your home
  • Consider earthquake and/or flood insurance

SURVIVE

Step 5: Stay in One Place While the Ground Shakes
  • DROP to the ground, if possible
  • TAKE COVER under a sturdy table & protect your head
  • HOLD ON to that position until the shaking stops
Step 6: Improve Safety
  • If you are in a tsunami hazard zone, immediately WALK to higher ground or inland away from coast
  • Check for injuries and damage

RECOVER

Step 7: Reconnect and Restore
  • If you evacuated coastal areas—stay away until officials permit you to return
  • Be in communication—use your radio for info
  • Expect aftershocks—some may be large enough to do additional damage

30 Suggestions to Make Your Home Earthquake Safe

Connect these actions with their locations in the house below.

Side slice of the inside of a house with numbers

Step 1—Secure Your Space

  1. Know whether you live, work or playin a tsunami hazard zone.
  2. Hang plants in light weight pots with closed hooks, well secured to a joist or stud and far away from sleeping areas.
  3. Store fire extinguisher (type ABC) in easily accessible location. Know how to use it. 
  4. Install latches on kitchen cabinets.
  5. Use flexible connections where gas lines meet appliances.
  6. Remove or lock refrigerator wheels, secure to studs.
  7. Keep several flashlights in easily accessible places around the house.
  8. Secure valuable electronics items such as computers and televisions.
  9. Keep breakables in low cabinets or secure cabinets with latches.
  10. Move heavy plants and other large items to floor or low shelves.

Step 1—Secure Your Space (cont.)

  1. Hang mirrors and pictures on closed hooks.
  2. Secure free-standing wood stove or fireplace insert.
  3. Keep heavy unstable objects away from doors and exit routes.
  4. Place bed away from windows or items that mayfall.
  5. Secure knickknacks and other small valuables with museum putty.
  6. Brace overhead light fixtures.
  7. Place only lightweight/soft items over bed.
  8. Secure top-heavy furniture to studs.
  9. Keep wrench or turn-off tool in water proof wrap near gas meter.
  10. Know the location ofyour main electrical switch (fuse box or circuit breaker).
  11. Secure water heater with metal straps attached to studs.
  12. Trim hazardous tree limbs.

Step 2—Plan To Be Safe

  1. Have your emergency plan accessible and discuss with all family members.

Step 3—Organize Disaster Supplies 

  1. Have a portable radio and batteries easily accessible.
  2. Keep an emergency backpack with copies of important documents near the door to grab and go.
  3. Keep flashlight, slippers and gloves next to beds.
  4. Keep gas tank and/or electric charge at least half full.
  5. Store emergency food and water supplies in a dry accessible area. Include first aid kit, extra cash, portable radio, extra batteries, medications and other necessary supplies.

Step 4—Minimize Financial Hardship

  1. Use anchor bolts every 4 to 6 feet to secure home to foundation.
  2. Reinforce brick walls and chimneys.

CONTINUE...

Step 1: Indentify Potential Hazards »