Earthquake kit: supplies, plus the home prep that matters more
We research products from makers' specs, manuals and safety agencies; we do not run hands-on tests. Links to Amazon may earn us a commission at no cost to you. How this works.
Quick answer
Ready.gov says an earthquake kit should hold enough food and water for several days, a flashlight, a fire extinguisher and a whistle. Just as important: secure bookcases, refrigerators, water heaters and TVs, keep heavy objects on low shelves, and practice Drop, Cover and Hold On. After shaking stops, expect aftershocks, leave damaged buildings, and if trapped, use a whistle or bang on a pipe instead of shouting.
The earthquake kit checklist
| Item | Why, per Ready.gov |
|---|---|
| Food and water for several days | Services may be out after a quake |
| Flashlight | Power outages and damaged buildings |
| Fire extinguisher | Listed in Ready.gov's earthquake kit |
| Whistle | Signal for help if trapped, instead of shouting |
| Battery-operated radio | News and instructions after the quake |
| Work gloves and sturdy thick-soled shoes | Safer cleanup around debris |
| Long-sleeved shirt and long pants | Protective clothing for cleanup |
See our survival kit and emergency water storage guides for the rest of a household kit.
Protect your home before it shakes
- Secure heavy items: Ready.gov names bookcases, refrigerators, water heaters, televisions and objects hanging on walls.
- Low shelves: store heavy and breakable objects low.
- Structure: consider fixing structural issues that could cause a building to collapse.
- Insurance: Ready.gov says a standard homeowner's policy does not cover earthquake damage; consider an earthquake policy.
- Alerts: sign up for earthquake alerts that can notify you before shaking arrives.
- Plan: make a family communications plan with an out-of-state contact and a place to meet.
During the shaking: Drop, Cover, Hold On
- Drop onto hands and knees where you are.
- Cover your head and neck with one arm; crawl under a sturdy table or desk, or next to an interior wall away from windows.
- Hold on until the shaking stops, ready to move with your shelter.
- Inside: stay inside, do not run outside, and avoid doorways.
- In bed: turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
- Driving: pull over, stop and set the parking brake.
- Outside: move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights and power lines.
- Cane, walker or wheelchair: Ready.gov describes adapted steps, such as locking wheels and covering your head and neck.
After the earthquake
- Aftershocks: expect them and be ready to Drop, Cover and Hold On again.
- Damaged buildings: go outside, move away and do not re-enter.
- Trapped: send a text or bang on a pipe or wall, cover your mouth with your shirt, and use a whistle instead of shouting.
- Tsunami zones: go inland or to higher ground right after the shaking stops.
- Communicate by text: Ready.gov says texts may be more reliable than calls and save battery.
- Hazards: watch for leaking gas and water lines and downed power lines.
- Injuries: help others if you are trained, and call 911 for a medical emergency.
Safe cleanup
- Dress for it: long sleeves, long pants, work gloves and sturdy thick-soled shoes.
- Heavy debris: do not try to move it by yourself.
- Masks: use an appropriate mask when cleaning mold or debris.
- Who stays out: people with asthma, other lung conditions or immune suppression should not enter buildings with visible or smelly mold, and children should not help with disaster cleanup.
Keeping the kit ready
- Maintain it: Ready.gov's kit page says to keep canned food cool and dry, store boxed food in tightly closed containers, replace expired items and rethink your needs every year.
- Grab-and-go: keep it where you can reach it on the way out of a damaged building, since Ready.gov says to leave damaged buildings.
- Car kit: a quake can hit while you are driving; see our car emergency kit guide.
- Practice: Ready.gov says to practice protecting yourself during earthquakes with family and coworkers.
What to look for when you buy
Kit extinguisher: First Alert HOME1 (1-A:10-B:C)
Best for: The fire extinguisher Ready.gov lists for an earthquake kit
First Alert lists a 1-A:10-B:C multi-purpose extinguisher for wood, paper, fabric, flammable liquid and electrical fires, a pull pin with safety seal, a mounting bracket, and professional recharging after use.
Watch out: Confirm the Amazon listing shows the 1-A:10-B:C rating; read the instructions before you need it.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Hands-free light: Black Diamond Spot 400 headlamp
Best for: Moving through a dark house or yard after the storm
Black Diamond lists 400 lumens, IPX8 waterproofing, a battery meter and power from three AAA cells or its rechargeable battery.
Watch out: Store spare AAA cells in the kit.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Alerts and news: Midland WR400 weather radio
Best for: A bedroom or shelter-room alert that sounds when the power is out
Midland lists Public Alert certification, a choice of siren, voice or LED alerts, a USB charging port and AM/FM; see our weather radios guide for setup.
Watch out: Program your county's SAME code so it alerts for your area.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Questions people ask
- What should be in an earthquake kit?
- Ready.gov lists food and water for several days, a flashlight, a fire extinguisher and a whistle.
- Should I stand in a doorway during an earthquake?
- No; Ready.gov says avoid doorways and Drop, Cover and Hold On.
- Does homeowners insurance cover earthquakes?
- Ready.gov says a standard homeowner's policy does not cover earthquake damage.
- What do I do if I am trapped?
- Ready.gov says text or bang on a pipe or wall, cover your mouth and use a whistle instead of shouting.
Sources
- Earthquakes, Ready.gov
- Build A Kit, Ready.gov
- Rechargeable Home Fire Extinguisher 1-A:10-B:C, First Alert
- Spot 400 Headlamp, Black Diamond
- WR400 Deluxe NOAA Weather Alert Radio, Midland