What to do in an earthquake: before, during and after
Secure your home and make a plan; drop, cover and hold on during the shaking; recover safely afterwards.
BeforeBefore a disaster
-
Secure heavy furniture, appliances and things that hang on walls.
-
Practise how to protect yourself with the people you live and work with.
-
Fix large heavy furniture, appliances and electronics that could tip over or slide to the wall or the floor.
-
Put heavy and large items on low shelves; fit safety latches to kitchen cupboard doors.
-
Hang pictures and frames with hook screws, away from beds, sofas and chairs.
-
Clear objects from exit routes that could fall and block the way.
-
Choose one meeting place inside the home and one outside it.
-
Water and long-lasting dry food, a first-aid kit, health records and medicines.
DuringDuring a disaster
-
Drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck, and hold on until the shaking stops.
-
If you are inside, stay inside. Do not run outside, and avoid doorways.
-
If you are outside, stay outside, away from buildings, trees, streetlights and power lines.
-
Keep away from glass, windows, outside walls and doors, and anything that could fall on you, such as light fittings.
-
Do not use the lift. Do not go out on the balcony, and do not jump from a balcony or a window.
-
Do not light matches or lighters, and do not touch light switches.
AfterAfter a disaster
-
Expect aftershocks. Do not enter damaged buildings.
-
If you are trapped, send a text or bang on a pipe or wall; use a whistle instead of shouting.
-
Check yourself and the people with you for injuries. Help others if you have training.
-
Do not use matches, lighters or other open flames.
-
Turn off the stove and the water valve. Turn off the electricity at the main switch only if you do not smell gas.
-
Leave a damaged building quickly, as you planned, taking your emergency bag. Do not go back into damaged buildings.
AFAD (Bursa İl Müdürlüğü)AFAD (İstanbul İl Müdürlüğü)Ready.gov (FEMA)
-
Walk to the nearest assembly area set by the authorities.
-
Send text messages or use internet apps instead of calling, so the phone network does not get jammed.
Official sources
Every step in this guide is based on one of these pages.
- Ready.gov (FEMA) Earthquakes Page date: · Checked:
- AFAD Deprem Anında Neler Yapmalısınız? Page date: · Checked:
- AFAD (Bursa İl Müdürlüğü) Afete Hazır Aile Checked:
- AFAD (İstanbul İl Müdürlüğü) Deprem Sonrası İlk 6 Saate Dikkat - Basın Bülteni Page date: · Checked:
- AFAD Afet ve Acil Durum Çantası Hazırlayın - Basın Bülteni Page date: · Checked:
A short summary of the sources below, checked against them. Read a source for the full advice.
This guide works offline and summarises public official pages. It is not a live or official announcement; follow the authorities' instructions.