2025 Earthquake Guide: 7 Essential Survival Steps Now

The ground beneath our feet feels solid, permanent. But in many parts of the world, that feeling is an illusion. Earthquakes are a stark reminder of nature's power, and while we can't predict them, we can absolutely prepare for them. Being prepared isn't about fear; it's about empowerment. This guide breaks down seven essential, actionable steps you can take right now to protect yourself and your loved ones in 2025.

Step 1: Secure Your Space to Minimize Hazards

During an earthquake, the most immediate danger often comes not from the shaking itself, but from falling objects. Your first line of defense is to look around your home and identify potential hazards. Think of it as "quake-proofing" your environment.

Secure Heavy Furniture and Appliances

Anything tall and heavy can become a deadly projectile. Use flexible furniture straps or L-brackets to anchor bookcases, entertainment centers, and tall dressers to wall studs. This simple step can prevent serious injury and blockages of escape routes.

Don't forget major appliances. Your water heater is especially important. A toppled water heater can cause a fire (if gas-powered) and spill your emergency supply of fresh water. Secure it with approved strapping kits, available at any hardware store.

Manage Overhead Items and Wall Hangings

Look up. Are there heavy picture frames, mirrors, or light fixtures hanging over beds or sofas? Relocate them or secure them with closed-hook hardware instead of simple nails. In the kitchen, use cabinet latches to prevent dishes and glassware from flying out.

Step 2: Assemble Your Go-Bag and Stay-Kit

Disasters require different responses. You might need to evacuate immediately (Go-Bag) or shelter in place for an extended period (Stay-Kit). You need to be ready for both scenarios.

• Go-Bag: A portable backpack for each family member, containing essentials to survive for at least 72 hours. Keep it somewhere accessible, like a front hall closet or in your car.
• Stay-Kit: A larger collection of supplies, stored in a safe, cool, and dry place (like a garage or basement), to sustain your household for up to two weeks without outside help.

Here’s a comparison to help you stock both:

Step 3: Create a Rock-Solid Family Communication Plan

When an earthquake hits, cell service will likely be overwhelmed or completely down. Don't wait until it's too late to figure out how you'll reconnect with family. A clear plan is vital.

Designate Meeting Places

Establish three key locations:

1. Neighborhood Spot: A safe, open area near your home, like a specific tree in a park or the corner of your block. This is for an immediate regroup if you're separated during the quake.
2. Regional Spot: A location outside your immediate neighborhood, like a relative's house, a library, or a community center. This is your destination if you can't return home.
3. Out-of-State Contact: Choose a friend or relative who lives far away to be your family's central point of contact. It's often easier to make a long-distance call than a local one after a disaster. Ensure everyone has this person's number saved in their phones and written down in their Go-Bags.

Step 4: Know Your Zone and Master the Drill

Knowledge and muscle memory are your best friends when the shaking starts. First, understand your local risk. Use resources like the USGS earthquake hazard maps to see the seismic activity in your area.

Next, practice the single most effective safety action: Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

• DROP to your hands and knees. This position prevents you from being knocked down and allows you to crawl to shelter.
• COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl beneath it. If not, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows).
• HOLD ON to your shelter (or your head and neck) until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if it shifts.

Drill this with your family twice a year. The goal is to make it an automatic, instinctual reaction, not something you have to think about in a moment of terror.

Step 5: Plan for Utility, Financial, and Document Security

A major earthquake can cripple infrastructure. You need to be self-sufficient.

Managing Utilities

Know where your main gas, water, and electricity shut-offs are located and how to operate them. A crescent wrench is the best tool for a gas shut-off valve—keep one tied to the meter itself. Only turn off the gas if you smell a leak or suspect a break. Once it's off, only a professional can turn it back on.

Financial Preparedness

ATMs and credit card machines will not work without power. Keep a stash of small bills and coins in your Go-Bag and Stay-Kit. Having cash on hand can be critical for purchasing essential goods in the immediate aftermath.

Secure Your Documents

Scan your most important documents: driver's licenses, passports, social security cards, birth certificates, insurance policies, and property deeds. Save them to a password-protected cloud service AND an encrypted USB drive that you keep in your Go-Bag. Keep the originals in a fireproof, waterproof safe or a bank's safe deposit box.

Step 6: Learn Lifesaving Basic First-Aid Skills

In the minutes and hours after a major quake, emergency services will be completely overwhelmed. You need to be your own first responder. While a full EMT course is ideal, everyone should master these basics:

• Stopping Severe Bleeding: Learn how to apply direct pressure, pack a wound, and use a tourniquet. This is the most critical life-saving skill.
• Treating Burns and Fractures: Understand how to cool a burn and immobilize a suspected fracture using simple splints.
• Basic Wound Care: Know how to properly clean and bandage cuts and scrapes to prevent infection, which can become a serious problem when sanitation is poor.

Sign up for a class with the American Red Cross or a local CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program. The confidence you gain is priceless.

Step 7: Stay Informed and Mentally Resilient

Your preparation doesn't end once your kits are packed. It's an ongoing state of readiness.

For information during and after an event, rely on official sources. A battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA Weather Radio is essential. Have apps from FEMA and the American Red Cross on your phone, but don't rely on them as your only source.

Finally, address the mental aspect. The constant, low-level anxiety of living in an earthquake zone is real. By taking these proactive steps—securing your home, building your kits, making a plan—you transform that anxiety into a feeling of control and resilience. You're not just waiting for a disaster; you're ready for it. Share your plan with neighbors and build a community of preparedness. Because when the ground shakes, the strongest structures are the ones we build together.