Chapter 24. Preparing for Earthquakes
Earthquakes can occur with little or no notice, causing strong shaking, falling objects, broken glass, utility damage, fires, road closures, and power outages. Aftershocks may follow and create additional danger in already weakened buildings.
Residents of Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, San Ramon, Danville, Sunol, and surrounding Tri-Valley and Bay Area communities should prepare their homes, supplies, communication plans, and protective actions in advance. Knowing what to do before, during, and after an earthquake can reduce injuries and help households respond calmly.
Secure Heavy and Breakable Objects
Many earthquake injuries are caused by falling furniture, televisions, appliances, light fixtures, glass, and household objects. Examine every room from the perspective of strong sideways and vertical movement.
Begin by:
- Anchoring bookcases, cabinets, and other tall furniture to wall studs
- Securing televisions, computers, and large appliances
- Moving heavy objects to lower shelves
- Installing latches on cabinets containing glass or heavy items
- Hanging mirrors and framed pictures with closed hooks
- Keeping heavy or sharp objects away from beds and seating areas
- Securing overhead light fixtures when appropriate
- Keeping exits and hallways free from objects that could fall and block passage
Water heaters should be properly braced because an unsecured unit may fall, rupture gas or water connections, and contribute to fire or flooding. The Earthquake Country Alliance offers practical instructions for securing furniture, electronics, water heaters, and other household hazards. Use suitable hardware and consult a qualified professional when anchoring, plumbing, gas, electrical, or structural work requires specialized knowledge.
Store Emergency Supplies
A major earthquake may interrupt electricity, water, gas, transportation, telephone service, stores, pharmacies, and emergency response. Prepare to remain safely at home for several days if the building is habitable.
Store water, nonperishable food, essential medication, flashlights, batteries, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, first-aid supplies, sanitation items, sturdy shoes, work gloves, dust masks, pet supplies, and basic tools. Keep a portable go-bag in case authorities direct residents to leave.
Place a flashlight and sturdy shoes beside each bed. Broken glass and fallen objects may cover floors, particularly if an earthquake occurs at night. Keep emergency supplies in more than one accessible location so that a damaged room, garage door, or storage area does not block everything.
Practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”
When shaking begins indoors, remain inside unless an immediate location-specific danger requires another action.
- Drop onto your hands and knees before the shaking knocks you down.
- Cover your head and neck and, when possible, shelter under a sturdy table or desk.
- Hold On to the furniture and move with it until the shaking stops.
If no sturdy shelter is nearby, move only as far as necessary to get away from windows and falling objects. Drop beside an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.
Do not run outside, rush downstairs, or stand in a doorway. Exterior walls, windows, signs, masonry, and building materials may fall near entrances. Modern doorways generally provide no special protection. The USGS recommends remaining indoors and practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
If you are in bed, remain there and protect your head and neck with a pillow. If you use a wheelchair or walker, lock the wheels when possible, remain seated, bend forward, and protect your head and neck.
When outdoors, move away from buildings, trees, signs, utility poles, and power lines if you can do so safely. Drop and protect your head and neck. If driving, pull over away from bridges, overpasses, tunnels, trees, signs, and power lines. Set the parking brake and remain inside the vehicle until the shaking stops.
Check for Injuries and Building Damage
After the shaking stops, check yourself before helping others. Put on sturdy shoes and gloves. Expect broken glass, exposed nails, fallen objects, spilled chemicals, and unstable furniture.
Leave a damaged building if there is a safe route, moving away from exterior walls and anything that might fall. Do not use elevators. Never reenter a seriously damaged structure until an authorized official determines that it is safe.
Use text messages to notify family members that you are safe. Reserve 911 for fires, serious injuries, trapped people, gas emergencies, and other immediate threats.
Address Gas and Electrical Hazards
Learn the locations of the gas shutoff valve, electrical panel, and water shutoff before an earthquake. Ask the utility company or a qualified professional how to operate them safely.
Do not shut off natural gas merely because an earthquake occurred. PG&E advises customers to turn it off only when there is a clear indication of a leak, such as smelling gas, hearing it escape, or observing damaged gas equipment. If you suspect a leak, do not operate electrical switches, appliances, phones, vehicles, matches, candles, or anything that might create a spark. Leave immediately, call 911 from a safe location, and contact PG&E. Never turn the gas back on yourself; restoration should be handled by the utility or another qualified professional. Review PG&E earthquake and utility-safety guidance.
Stay far away from downed or damaged power lines. If household wiring appears damaged, shut off the main electricity only if you can reach the panel safely and know how to operate it. Do not touch exposed wires, wet electrical equipment, or damaged panels.
Anticipate Aftershocks
Aftershocks may occur minutes, days, weeks, or longer after the initial earthquake. Some may be strong enough to cause additional damage or bring down structures already weakened by the first event.
Whenever shaking resumes, immediately Drop, Cover, and Hold On again. Keep shoes, a flashlight, medication, phone, emergency supplies, and keys accessible. Stay out of damaged buildings and away from unstable walls, chimneys, utility lines, and broken trees.
Monitor verified instructions from local authorities, emergency-management agencies, utilities, and Earthquake Warning California. Follow evacuation, shelter, road-closure, and water-safety directions.
Helpful Hint
Practice “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” at home, work, and other frequently visited locations. Avoid running outside while the ground is shaking unless an immediate location-specific danger requires otherwise.
Important Safety Reminder
The end of the initial shaking does not mean the danger has passed. Check for injuries, fire, gas leaks, electrical damage, unstable structures, and fallen power lines. Expect aftershocks, and be prepared to Drop, Cover, and Hold On again.
Important Preparedness and Safety Notice
This chapter provides general preparedness education, not real-time emergency instructions. Conditions, evacuation zones, routes, shelters, road closures, and public-safety directions can change rapidly. During an emergency, consult current information from authorized public agencies and follow all instructions issued by emergency officials. Call 911 for an immediate threat to life, active fire, serious injury, crime in progress, or another urgent emergency.
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