Earthquake kit checklist (US): prepare, Drop, Cover, and Hold On, and what to do after

Updated on October 27, 2026How these pages are written (in French)

This page is for households in the United States. It is an independent summary of two Ready.gov pages: the earthquake guidance (last updated September 9, 2026) and the basic disaster supplies kit (last updated July 1, 2026). Both are free at ready.gov.

The Ready.gov earthquake page asks for a supply kit with enough food and water for several days, plus a flashlight, a fire extinguisher and a whistle.

The Ready.gov basic kit list adds the rest:

• Water: one gallon per person per day, for several days, for drinking and sanitation.
• Food: at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food, and a manual can opener.
• Information: a battery-powered or hand crank radio, and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert.
• Light and signaling: a flashlight, extra batteries, and a whistle to signal for help.
• Health: a first aid kit, and a dust mask to help filter contaminated air.
• Shelter in place: plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape.
• Sanitation: moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties.
• Utilities: a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
• Navigation and phone: local maps, and a cell phone with chargers and a backup battery.

Ready.gov does not give an exact number of days for water and food: it says several days. At one gallon per person per day, a family of four needs 4 gallons for each day it plans to cover.

For the full checklist, including documents, cash and medication, see the basic emergency kit.

Based on your household's needs, the Ready.gov kit page lists:

• Medication: prescription medications, organized and protected, plus over-the-counter drugs and vitamins (for example pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives).
• Eyes: prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution.
• Babies: infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream.
• Pets: pet food and extra water.
• Money and papers: cash or traveler's checks; important family documents such as insurance policies, identification and bank records, saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container.
• Warmth and clothing: a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person, and a complete change of clothing suited to your climate, with sturdy shoes.
• Hygiene: soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, feminine supplies and personal hygiene items.
• Other: a fire extinguisher, matches in a waterproof container, mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils, paper and pencil, and books, games or puzzles for children.

The Ready.gov kit page recommends storing items in airtight plastic bags, in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

To keep the kit usable:

• Keep canned food in a cool, dry place.
• Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers.
• Replace expired items as needed.
• Reassess your needs every year and update the kit as your family's needs change.

Ready.gov suggests kits for three places:

• Home: a designated place, ready if you must leave quickly, that every family member knows.
• Work: be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours, with food, water, medicines and comfortable walking shoes in a grab-and-go case.
• Car: emergency supplies in case you are stranded.

The Ready.gov earthquake page asks you to:

• Secure heavy items such as bookcases, refrigerators, water heaters and televisions, and anything hanging on walls.
• Store heavy and breakable objects on low shelves.
• Consider structural improvements that could keep the building from collapsing.
• Consider earthquake insurance: Ready.gov notes that a standard homeowner's policy does not cover earthquake damage.

Drop, Cover, and Hold On is the protective action Ready.gov asks you to take as soon as an earthquake starts:

1. Drop: drop where you are, onto your hands and knees.
2. Cover: cover your head and neck with one arm and hand. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it. If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall, away from windows. Stay on your knees and bend over to protect vital organs.
3. Hold On: hold on until the shaking stops. Under shelter, hold on to it with one hand and be ready to move with it. If you are not under shelter, hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.

Ready.gov asks you to protect yourself right away. By situation:

• Inside: stay inside. Do not run outside, and avoid doorways.
• In bed: turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
• In a car: pull over, stop, and set your parking brake.
• Outside: stay outside. Move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights and power lines, then drop and cover until shaking stops to protect yourself from flying debris.

Ready.gov gives adapted steps:

• Cane: Drop, Cover, and Hold On, or sit on a chair or bed and cover your head and neck with both hands. Keep your cane near you so you can use it when the shaking stops.
• Walker: lock your wheels if your walker has them. Carefully get as low as possible, bend over, and cover your head and neck with your arms, a book or a pillow. Hold on until the shaking stops.
• Wheelchair: lock your wheels if applicable. Bend over and cover your head and neck with your arms, a book or a pillow. Hold on until the shaking stops.

The Ready.gov earthquake page says:

• Expect aftershocks. Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel one.
• Watch for hazards: building damage, leaking gas and water lines, and downed power lines. The Ready.gov earthquake page lists these hazards but does not give gas shut-off steps.
• Damaged building: if you are in one, go outside and quickly move away from it. Do not enter damaged buildings.
• Tsunami-prone area: go inland or to higher ground immediately after the shaking stops.
• Floodwater: avoid it; it can contain chemicals, sewage and debris.
• Injuries: check yourself first, then help others if you have training. For non-emergency care, contact your healthcare provider. For a medical emergency, call 911.
• News and messages: once safe, follow local news and emergency information by battery-operated radio, TV, social media or cell phone text alerts. Text messages may be more reliable than calls and save battery power. Social media can tell people you are okay.

Ready.gov asks you to:

• Send a text, or bang on a pipe or wall.
• Cover your mouth with your shirt for protection.
• Use a whistle instead of shouting.

A whistle is on both the Ready.gov earthquake page and its basic kit list. It is one reason to keep one on you, not only in the kit.

For cleanup, the Ready.gov earthquake page asks you to:

• Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves and sturdy thick-soled shoes.
• Not try to remove heavy debris alone.
• Use an appropriate mask when cleaning mold or debris.
• Keep people with asthma, other lung conditions or immune suppression away from buildings with visible or smellable mold or indoor water leaks.
• Keep children out of disaster cleanup.

• Ready.gov, Earthquakes: before, during and after an earthquake, Drop, Cover, and Hold On, adapted steps for cane, walker and wheelchair users, last updated September 9, 2026 (accessed 27 October 2026)
• Ready.gov, Basic disaster supplies kit: basic disaster supplies kit, additional supplies, maintenance, home, work and car kits, last updated July 1, 2026 (accessed 27 October 2026)
• USGS, Earthquake Notification Service: messages sent when earthquakes occur (accessed 27 October 2026)
• ShakeAlert, shakealert.org: earthquake early warning for California, Oregon and Washington (accessed 27 October 2026)

This is an independent website, not affiliated with or endorsed by FEMA or the US Government.