Preparation

• 1). Gather enough food and water for yourself and family for a week. You will need about a gallon of water per day per person, according to the California Department of Conservation. Be sure to have appropriate food for any babies or pets. Store food that does not need cooking or have an alternate way to cook it if you lose power and gas.
  
  
• 2). Assemble a first-aid kit and other items for survival. This can include blankets, flashlights, extra batteries and clothes. Also include any tools you may need to turn off the gas or water running into your house in case pipes are broken during the earthquake.
  
  
• 3). Practice "Drop, Cover and Hold" with your family. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, you should drop down, cover by hiding under a piece of strong furniture and hold on to that furniture until shaking stops. The King County Office of Emergency Management states that you will be more likely to remember this in an emergency if you practice beforehand.
  
  
• 4). Tie your heavy appliances, such as the refrigerator, in place to prevent them from falling.
  
  
• 5). Make a plan with your family about how and where you will meet up after a disaster. Remember that cell phone networks often go down during emergencies due to high call volumes, so do not depend on them.
  
  

During and After the Earthquake

• 1). Drop, cover and hold as you practiced. Stay in bed if you are already there and remain inside if you are elsewhere indoors. According to FEMA, most injuries happen when people try to move around during an earthquake. If you are outside, move away from buildings, utility wires or other structures that may fall or drop debris on you. If in a car, stop the car as soon as possible and remain inside until the earthquake stops.
  
  
• 2). Remain still and calm if you are trapped. According to FEMA, the greatest danger is from inhaling too much dust. Therefore, tap on a pipe or use a whistle rather than shouting to alert rescuers to your location and use part of your shirt or a handkerchief to cover your mouth and nose.
  
  
• 3). Check for damage to the utilities entering your home and structural damage to your home. Turn off the water, gas and electricity if you think it is damaged and call the utility company. If the building is damaged, get everyone out of it and wait for emergency response. A damaged building could collapse or drop dangerous debris, particularly during aftershocks.