First 10 Minutes of an Earthquake

The first 10 seconds of an earthquake are when most injuries happen. The rule is simple: DROP to the ground, take COVER under a sturdy desk or against an interior wall, and HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

Do not run outside during shaking — falling debris, broken glass, and unstable structures make the outdoors as dangerous as inside. Do not stand in a doorway (modern doorways are no stronger than any other wall). Do not ride an elevator. The safest position is low, under cover, waiting it out.

During the shaking

• ☐ DROP — get to the ground immediately (do not run)
• ☐ COVER — take shelter under a sturdy desk, table, or sturdy furniture
• ☐ HOLD ON — until the shaking stops completely
• ☐ If no cover: crouch against an interior wall, protect head and neck with arms
• ☐ In bed: stay in bed, cover head with pillow, protect face
• ☐ Outside: move away from buildings, power lines, trees. Drop and cover head.
• ☐ In a vehicle: pull over to a safe spot, stay in the car, stop away from overpasses/bridges
• ☐ Do NOT stand in doorways (myth — no safer than any wall)
• ☐ Do NOT run outside during shaking (falling debris)
• ☐ Do NOT use elevators during or immediately after

Once shaking stops, you have a brief window to act before aftershocks hit. Aftershocks begin within minutes and can last days — treat every noise and tremor as another potential event until a few hours have passed.

Your priorities: check yourself and others for injuries, check for immediate hazards (gas leaks, fire, electrical, falling debris), and evacuate damaged structures. Do not re-enter damaged buildings.

First 10 minutes after

• ☐ Check yourself for injuries first — you cannot help others if you are bleeding out
• ☐ Check family members and immediate neighbors
• ☐ Smell for gas leaks (if you smell gas: leave, shut off main, DO NOT use flame or electrical switches)
• ☐ Check for fire (gas line fires, electrical fires, kitchen gas)
• ☐ Check electrical (sparking wires, damaged outlets, downed power lines)
• ☐ Evacuate any damaged structure — visible cracks, shifted foundations, tilting walls
• ☐ Put on sturdy shoes — broken glass is everywhere
• ☐ Grab your go-bag + medications on the way out if safe
• ☐ Move to an open area away from buildings, power lines, trees
• ☐ Prepare for aftershocks — they will come

Natural gas leaks are the #1 post-earthquake fire hazard. A broken gas line plus any spark (light switch, phone, static) can ignite a building. The rule: if you smell gas, leave immediately, shut off the main, and do not return.

Electrical hazards are also severe — downed lines, damaged wiring, submerged outlets in flooded basements. Water main breaks flood homes, contaminate drinking supplies, and create drowning hazards.

Utility safety protocol

• ☐ GAS — if you smell it: leave, shut off main, report to utility, do NOT use any flame or electrical switch
• ☐ Gas shutoff: quarter-turn of the valve perpendicular to the pipe (label the wrench, store it AT the meter)
• ☐ Never turn gas back on yourself — requires licensed plumber/utility inspection
• ☐ ELECTRICAL — avoid damaged wiring, submerged outlets, downed lines
• ☐ Shut off main breaker if you see damage
• ☐ Downed power lines: assume energized, stay 30+ feet away, call 911
• ☐ WATER — check water main for breaks
• ☐ If main supply is damaged: shut off water at main, use stored water only
• ☐ Assume municipal water is contaminated until confirmed safe (boil water orders likely)

Aftershocks follow almost every major earthquake — sometimes for days or weeks. They are typically smaller than the main shock, but can still be strong enough to damage weakened structures, cause landslides, or trigger secondary disasters.

The pattern is: largest aftershocks usually within the first few hours, continuing with diminishing frequency over days to weeks. Treat every tremor as a new event — drop, cover, hold on — until seismic activity has clearly stopped.

Aftershock protocol

• ☐ Assume aftershocks will happen — they almost always do
• ☐ First large aftershocks usually within the first hour
• ☐ Weakened structures may collapse from aftershocks even when they survived the main shock
• ☐ Stay OUT of damaged buildings — aftershocks finish what the main shock started
• ☐ When an aftershock hits: Drop, Cover, Hold On again
• ☐ Listen to a battery or hand-crank radio for official information  → Buy
• ☐ Do not use cell calls — use text (network is overloaded for voice)
• ☐ Do not return to homes until authorities declare them safe
• ☐ Watch for landslides, tsunami warnings (coastal areas), flood hazards

Earthquake preparedness is pre-staging — putting supplies and safety items where you can find them in a dark, disoriented, post-shake state. It is not about buying more stuff; it is about organizing what you have so you can actually access it.

Earthquake-ready household

• ☐ Shoes under the bed (sturdy, easy to slip on in darkness)
• ☐ Flashlight or headlamp next to the bed  → Buy
• ☐ Dust mask for falling plaster and debris
• ☐ Whistle to signal for help from a collapsed structure  → Buy
• ☐ 72-hour go-bag with water, food, first aid, medications
• ☐ Gas shutoff wrench attached to the meter
• ☐ Bolted bookcases, water heater, furniture to walls
• ☐ Stored water — 1 gal/person/day × 3 days minimum
• ☐ Store heavy objects LOW (not on high shelves)
• ☐ Family communication plan + out-of-area contact
• ☐ Earthquake insurance (often separate from homeowners)