Earthquakes can strike at any time without warning. California is especially prone to earthquakes due to its location on the San Andreas Fault. The following information is designed to help you protect yourself, your family, and your property before, during, and after an earthquake.

Prepare Before an Earthquake

The best time to prepare for an earthquake—or any disaster—is before it happens.

• Practice Drop, Cover and Hold On. Conduct earthquake drills with your family and coworkers at least once each year.
• Make a plan. Create a family emergency communications plan that includes emergency contact information, escape routes out of your home, and a family meeting place.
• Make a go-kit. Build an emergency supply kit that includes basic necessities and enough food and water to last each member of your household several days.
• Secure hazards in your home. Secure heavy items such as bookcases, televisions, and objects that hang on walls. Store heavy and breakable objects on low shelves.
• Protect your home. Consider building improvements to fix structural issues that could cause your home or building to collapse during an earthquake. California has created an Earthquake Brace & Bolt Program to provide small grants for qualifying projects to help pay costs associated with the retrofit. For anyone not in the grant program but who wants to do a retrofit, San José's Building Division always supplies homeowners and contractors with state-approved earthquake retrofit plans.
• Sign up for emergency alerts. Register for AlertSCC to receive important emergency information and instructions via your cell phone, mobile device, email or landline. AlertSCC is available to Santa Clara County residents.

SJFD's Fire Captain Joseph King goes over what you should do before, during, and after an earthquake (Mire el video en español | Xem video bằng tiếng Việt | 观看普通话视频 | 觀看國語影片).

Stay Safe During AN EARTHQUAKE

By acting fast, you can significantly reduce the chance of injury during an earthquake. In most situations, you can protect yourself if you quickly Drop, Cover and Hold On:

1. Drop: Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees. Hold onto something sturdy. If you’re using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops.
2. Cover: Cover your head and neck with your arms. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall but stay away from windows.
3. Hold On: If you're under a table or desk, hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it if it moves. If seated and unable to drop to the floor, bend forward, cover your head with your arms and hold on to your neck with both hands.

Regardless of where you find yourself during an earthquake, it's important to act fast. Here's what to do if you find yourself in the following locations:

• Car: pull over, stop, and set your parking brake.
• In bed: turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
• Outdoors: stay outdoors and away from buildings.
• Inside: remain indoors - don't run outside, and avoid doorways and windows.

Stay Safe After AN EARTHQUAKE

Damaged buildings, downed power lines, and leaking gas and water lines are just some of the hazards you may encounter after an earthquake. Be prepared for the following:

• Expect aftershocks. Aftershocks can happen minutes, days, weeks or months after an earthquake. Each time you feel an aftershock, Drop, Cover and Hold On.
• Don't enter damaged buildings. Earthquakes can damage buildings and make them unsafe. If you're in a damaged structure, get outside quickly and do not re-enter.
• If you're trapped, attract attention to yourself. Send a text, bang on a wall, or use a whistle to help rescuers find you. Protect your mouth, nose and eyes from dust.
• Check for injuries. Inspect yourself for injuries and get first aid if necessary. If you are able, help others.
• Stay informed. Once you and your loved ones are safe, listen to local authorities for emergency information and instructions.
• Clean up your home safely. Be careful when cleaning up. Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves and sturdy thick-soled shoes. Don't try to remove heavy debris by yourself.