During an earthquake, you stay exactly where you are. The safest action is to drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on until the shaking stops. Running outside or to another room is one of the most dangerous things you can do, because falling debris, shattered glass, and collapsing facades injure far more people than structural collapse does. In two major earthquakes studied in China, being hit or struck by falling objects accounted for roughly half of all injuries, while building collapse caused fewer than 20% in areas with reinforced concrete construction.
Drop, Cover, and Hold On
This three-step response is recommended by FEMA, the USGS, and the American Red Cross. As soon as you feel shaking, drop to your hands and knees. This position keeps you from being knocked down and lets you crawl to cover. Get under a sturdy desk or table, grab onto one of its legs so it stays on top of you as it shifts, and keep your head tucked down. Stay there until the shaking completely stops.
If there’s no table or desk nearby, move against an interior wall and crouch down, covering your head and neck with your arms. Interior walls are stronger than exterior ones and farther from windows. Stay away from glass, heavy shelves, hanging objects, and anything that could fall on you.
One important rule: do not stand in a doorway. This advice is outdated. In modern homes, doorways are no stronger than any other part of the frame, and a swinging door can actually injure you. Likewise, do not run outside during the shaking. Most injuries happen right next to buildings where bricks, glass, and exterior panels fall.
If You’re in Bed
Stay in bed. Turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow. Getting up and crossing a dark room during shaking puts you at risk of stepping on broken glass or being hit by objects knocked off shelves. The pillow provides meaningful head protection from anything that might fall from above.
If You’re in a High-Rise
The same principles apply, but with a couple of additions. Get under a desk or table if one is available. If not, move against an interior wall, crouch, and protect your head and neck with your arms. Do not use the elevators during or immediately after the shaking. Power outages and mechanical damage can trap you inside. Expect the building to sway; high-rises are engineered to flex, and the upper floors will feel the motion more intensely. Once the shaking stops, use the stairs to exit if evacuation is necessary.
If You’re Outside
Get into the open. Move away from buildings, power lines, chimneys, and anything else that could fall on you. The biggest danger outdoors is the zone right next to structures, where facades, signs, and broken glass come down. If you’re in a mountainous area, watch for falling rocks, landslides, and loose trees or debris.
If You’re Driving
Slow down and pull over to the side of the road as quickly as you can do so safely. Avoid stopping under overpasses, bridges, trees, or power lines, because these structures can collapse or drop debris. Once you’ve stopped, stay inside your vehicle. The car’s frame provides a layer of protection. Set the parking brake and wait for the shaking to end. When you start driving again, watch for road damage, fallen debris, and downed power lines.
If You Use a Wheelchair or Walker
Lock your wheels if your chair has brakes. If you’re using a walker, carefully get as low as possible. Bend over and cover your head and neck with your arms, a book, or a pillow. Hold on and stay in that position until the shaking stops. The priority is the same as for everyone else: protect your head and stay stable so you aren’t thrown from your mobility aid.
Why the “Triangle of Life” Is Wrong
You may have seen a viral email or social media post telling you to lie next to large objects like a couch or car instead of getting under a table. This is called the “Triangle of Life,” and the USGS calls it a misguided idea. It was based on observations from an earthquake in Turkey and does not apply to the way buildings are constructed in the United States, Canada, or most other developed countries. In reinforced buildings, the greatest threat isn’t total pancake collapse. It’s objects falling on you: ceiling tiles, light fixtures, televisions, bookshelves. Getting under something sturdy protects against exactly that. Drop, Cover, and Hold On remains the recommended response.
What to Do Right After the Shaking Stops
Once the shaking ends, check yourself and others for injuries before moving. Expect aftershocks, which can happen minutes, hours, or even days later, and be ready to drop, cover, and hold on again. Move carefully. Broken glass and shifted furniture create hazards you might not immediately see, especially in the dark.
If you are near the coast, act fast. A tsunami can follow an earthquake with very little warning. As soon as the shaking stops, move to higher ground or inland, away from the water. Do not wait for an official alert. Natural warning signs include a loud roar from the ocean, a sudden rise in water level, or the ocean pulling back and exposing the seafloor. Dangerous coastal flooding from a tsunami can continue for hours or even days after the initial wave, so stay on high ground until authorities confirm it’s safe to return.