Earthquake Kit Checklist: What to Pack Before It Hits
Updated: 6 hours ago
Quick answer: The American Red Cross recommends three earthquake kits: a Go-Kit with at least 3 days of supplies you can carry, a Stay-at-Home Kit with at least 2 weeks of supplies, and a small Bed-Kit with shoes, a flashlight, glasses, a dust mask and a whistle.
Ready.gov says to store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day, so a family of four needs about 56 gallons for two weeks at home.
The Red Cross is blunt: there is no way to predict earthquakes. What you control is what's already under your bed, in your closet and strapped to your wall when the shaking starts. This checklist covers all three kits, the home hazard hunt, what to do during and after the shaking, and a family plan you can finish tonight.
It's written with California and Los Angeles households in mind, but it works anywhere in quake country, from the Pacific Northwest to Utah and the central U.S.
Why an Earthquake Kit Is Different From a Regular Emergency Kit
A general emergency kit and an earthquake kit share most of the same basics: water, food, light, first aid and a radio. Earthquakes add three problems most other disasters don't:
No warning. At best you get a few seconds from an alert system.
Broken glass everywhere. The Red Cross calls foot injuries from broken glass one of the most common earthquake injuries.
Long utility outages. The Earthquake Country Alliance (ECA) warns that power, water and transportation can be disrupted for several days or much longer after a large quake, and responders and hospitals could be overwhelmed.
That's why the Red Cross and ECA push past the usual 72 hours and say to aim for two weeks at home. If you want to see how other countries set their own targets, read how countries tell their citizens to prepare.
Kit 1: The Bed-Kit (Under-Bed Bag)
Earthquakes don't wait for you to be awake. ECA points out that anything you leave next to your bed, including shoes and glasses, will get scattered or buried during shaking, and shoes can fill with broken glass. Their fix is simple: put these items in a closed bag tied to each bed frame.
Bed-Kit checklist (one per bed):
Sturdy shoes and socks
Spare glasses or contacts
Flashlight or headlamp
Dust mask
Whistle
Work gloves
A headlamp is the better pick here because it leaves both hands free to grab kids and step around glass. The Rothco Cree LED Headlamp ($15.99) is small enough to tuck into a shoe. For more on choosing lights, see our guide to the best flashlight for emergencies.
Kit 2: The Grab-and-Go Kit (3 Days)
This is the bag you take if your home is damaged or officials tell you to leave. ECA says go-bags should hold supplies for about 3 days, for one person, a family or a small group, and that the same supplies can live in your car.
Grab-and-go checklist:
Water and high-calorie snack food
Medications, a written prescription list and copies of medical cards
First aid kit and handbook, non-latex gloves, dust mask
Spare glasses or contacts
Flashlight and battery or hand-crank radio, with extra batteries
Whistle and sturdy shoes
Cash in small bills and paper road maps
Written out-of-area contact numbers and copies of ID
Medical consent forms for kids and other dependents
Hygiene supplies and comfort items for kids
Phone charger and backup battery (the Red Cross adds chargers for devices like a CPAP or wheelchair)
Two shop picks fit this bag well. The Datrex Emergency Water 64 Pack ($41.99) is ready-to-drink 4-ounce pouches that need no treatment. Do the math, though: 64 four-ounce pouches is 2 gallons, a carry supply, not your two-week home supply. For food, the Datrex 2400 Calorie Emergency Food Ration ($12.99) packs 12 portioned coconut-flavored bars into one vacuum-sealed pack, so it needs no cooking, no water and no can opener.
For the long version, see our bug out bag checklist, and use the car emergency kit checklist, since a quake can hit while you're commuting.
Kit 3: The Stay-at-Home Kit (2 Weeks)
ECA says that if your building is undamaged it can be safe to stay even with the power out. But stores and pharmacies may be closed, so the Red Cross says to be ready to live without power, gas and water. ECA suggests a large, watertight, movable container with at least 3 days and ideally 2 weeks of supplies.
Stay-at-home checklist (2 weeks):
Water: at least 1 gallon per person per day (about 14 gallons per person for 2 weeks)
Canned and packaged food your family will actually eat, plus a manual can opener and cooking utensils
A charcoal or gas grill or camp stove for outdoor cooking only, plus matches
Wrenches to turn off gas and water, work gloves and goggles
Heavy-duty plastic bags for waste, tarps or ponchos
Radio, extra flashlights and batteries
A full first aid kit
At least a 1-month supply of prescription medication (the Red Cross recommends this, in a child-proof container)
Pet food and pet restraints
Warm clothes, blankets, copies of insurance papers
Fire extinguisher (Ready.gov lists one for earthquake kits)
Water is the hard part. The gallon a day covers drinking and sanitation, and Ready.gov says kids, nursing mothers and sick people may need more:
Household | Water for 3 days | Water for 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|
1 person | 3 gallons | 14 gallons |
2 people | 6 gallons | 28 gallons |
4 people | 12 gallons | 56 gallons |
6 people | 18 gallons | 84 gallons |
For storage tips, containers and rotation, read how much water to store for a family emergency.
First aid matters a lot after a quake, because injuries are common and 911 may be swamped. The Rothco General Purpose First Aid Kit ($50.99) holds over 60 supplies, including bandages, tape, iodine wipes and antibiotic ointment, in a gasket-sealed hard case that keeps out water and dirt. Then build it out with our first aid kit checklist.
ECA says to use and replace water, food, medications and batteries once a year.
The Home Hazard Hunt: Secure Your Space Before It Shakes
This is the step most people skip. According to ECA, a UCLA study of the 1994 Northridge earthquake found that 55% of injuries came from falling furniture or objects, and only 1% from building damage. Walk each room and imagine it shaken sideways. Whatever would tip or fly, fix it.
Free fixes (do these today):
Move heavy and large items to the floor or to low shelves
Move bookcases and anything that could fall away from beds, couches and other places people sit or sleep
Clear heavy or unstable objects away from doors and escape routes
Low-cost fixes (do one each weekend):
Strap the water heater to the wall studs with two metal straps
Secure top-heavy furniture (bookcases, dressers) and appliances to wall studs
Strap TVs and computers down
Hang mirrors and pictures on closed hooks
Use museum putty or wax to keep small objects on shelves
Add latches to kitchen cabinets
Secure storage racks in the garage with nylon straps or bungee cords
Ready.gov also suggests checking your building for structural weak spots. If you rent, ask your landlord before drilling.
Know Your Gas, Water and Electric Shutoffs
The Red Cross says to learn how to turn off your utilities now. Find the gas meter, main water valve and main breaker, and keep a wrench by the meter.
Important gas caveat: ECA says to shut off the main gas valve only if you suspect a leak, because of broken pipes, the smell or sound of leaking gas, or a meter that's spinning quickly. Only the gas company can turn it back on after checking for leaks, so shutting it off "just in case" can leave you without heat or hot water for a long time after a big quake. If you smell gas or hear hissing, the Red Cross says to leave your home and call 911, then report it to your utility once you're safe.
During the Shaking: Drop, Cover, and Hold On
When the ground starts moving or your phone alerts, Ready.gov says to protect yourself right away:
Drop onto your hands and knees where you are.
Cover your head and neck with one arm and hand. Crawl under a sturdy table or desk if one is close. If not, get next to an interior wall away from windows.
Hold On until the shaking stops. If you're under a table, hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it.
Ready.gov's other key rules:
If you're inside, stay inside. Don't run outside, and avoid doorways (an old myth).
In bed: turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow.
Driving: pull over, stop and set the parking brake, away from buildings, trees, overpasses and power lines, the Red Cross adds.
Outside: stay there, in an open area away from buildings, trees and power lines.
Wheelchair or walker: lock your wheels, get as low as you safely can, and cover your head and neck.
Practice it as a family until it's automatic.
Get Earthquake Early Warning on Your Phone
In California, Oregon and Washington, the USGS ShakeAlert system can warn you seconds before strong shaking arrives. The USGS says alerts come through Wireless Emergency Alerts, Android's built-in earthquake alerts and the free MyShake app from UC Berkeley, sponsored by California's Office of Emergency Services. Earthquake Warning California says MyShake alerts for quakes of magnitude 4.5 or higher. Turn on emergency alerts and install MyShake.
After the Shaking: What to Do First
Use this order:
Wait a moment, then put on your shoes. The Red Cross says to expect broken glass and debris and to put on sturdy shoes as soon as possible. This is what the Bed-Kit is for.
Expect aftershocks. Drop, Cover and Hold On every time.
Check for injuries. ECA says not to move seriously injured people unless they're in immediate danger.
Check your building. If it's damaged, Ready.gov says go outside, move away and don't go back in.
Check gas, water and electric. The Red Cross warns against matches, lighters, appliances or light switches until you know there's no gas leak. Use flashlights. ECA says to shut off the main breaker if wiring is damaged.
Stay away from downed power lines. Treat every one as live.
Coastal? Move to high ground now. If you're near the coast and feel strong shaking, the Red Cross says to walk quickly to higher ground or inland right away. Don't wait for an official warning.
Text, don't call. Ready.gov says texts may be more reliable and save battery. ECA says to contact only your out-of-area contact, then stay off the phone.
If you're trapped, cover your mouth and nose and use a whistle or knock three times every few minutes.
Clean up carefully in long sleeves, work gloves and thick-soled shoes, per Ready.gov.
Call 911 if someone is badly hurt, not breathing or bleeding heavily, if you smell gas or hear hissing (after you leave the house), or if you see a fire you can't put out. Phone lines may be jammed, so keep trying, and text 911 if your area supports it. This guide is general information, not medical advice.
Your Earthquake Family Plan (15 Minutes)
Ready.gov says to make a family communications plan with an out-of-state contact and decide where to meet if you're separated. One relative far away becomes the family switchboard.
Family plan checklist:
One out-of-area contact everyone has memorized or written down
A meeting spot near home and one outside your neighborhood
Who picks up the kids from school, and the school's own release plan
Where the gas, water and power shutoffs are, and who can work them
A Drop, Cover and Hold On spot in each room
Copies of insurance and ID in your go-bag. Ready.gov notes that standard homeowner's insurance doesn't cover earthquake damage, so ask your agent about earthquake coverage.
If you want to organize your whole block, our neighborhood emergency communication plan shows how.
Don't Forget Your Pets
ECA lists pet food and pet restraints in household earthquake supplies. Scared pets can bolt through broken fences, so keep a leash or carrier by the door, two weeks of food and water, ID tags and a photo of each pet. Use our pet emergency kit checklist for the full list.
Printable Earthquake Kit Checklist (One Page)
Bed-Kit: shoes, glasses, headlamp, dust mask, whistle, gloves
Grab-and-go (3 days): water, snacks, meds, first aid, light, radio, cash, contacts, ID copies, charger
Stay-at-home (2 weeks): 1 gallon of water per person per day, food, can opener, outdoor-only stove, shutoff wrench, first aid, 1 month of meds, pet supplies
Car: mini go-bag plus shoes and water
Home: water heater strapped, furniture and TVs anchored, heavy items low
Phone: emergency alerts on, MyShake installed, out-of-area contact saved
Once a year: swap water, food, meds and batteries
FAQ: Earthquake Kit Checklist
How many days should an earthquake kit last?
The Red Cross recommends a Go-Kit with at least 3 days of supplies you can carry and a Stay-at-Home Kit with at least 2 weeks of supplies. The Earthquake Country Alliance gives the same targets: about 3 days for go-bags and car kits, and ideally 2 weeks at home.
How much water do I need for an earthquake?
Ready.gov says to store at least 1 gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation. For two weeks that's 14 gallons per person, or 56 gallons for a family of four. Store more for kids, nursing mothers, sick people and hot weather.
Should I turn off my gas after an earthquake?
Only if you suspect a leak. The Earthquake Country Alliance says to shut off the main gas valve if you smell gas, hear it leaking, see broken pipes or see the meter spinning fast, because only the gas company can turn it back on after checking for leaks. If you suspect a leak, leave the house and call 911, then your utility.
Is a doorway the safest place in an earthquake?
No. Ready.gov says to avoid doorways and Drop, Cover and Hold On under a sturdy table or by an interior wall.
What should I keep next to my bed for an earthquake?
Sturdy shoes, socks, glasses, a headlamp, a dust mask, a whistle and work gloves, in a closed bag tied to the bed frame, as the Red Cross and ECA recommend.
How do I get earthquake alerts on my phone?
In California, Oregon and Washington, turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts and download the free MyShake app. Android phones also have built-in ShakeAlert-powered alerts, the USGS says.
The Bottom Line
An earthquake kit is three kits: shoes and a light by the bed, a 3-day grab-and-go bag, and a 2-week home supply with plenty of water. Strap down the water heater, bookcases and TV, practice Drop, Cover and Hold On, and pick an out-of-area contact. That turns the next big shake into a rough few days instead of a disaster.
Sources: American Red Cross Earthquake Safety; Ready.gov Earthquakes, Water and Build a Kit; Earthquake Country Alliance Seven Steps to Earthquake Safety, Step 1: Secure Your Space, Step 3: Organize Emergency Supplies and Step 6: Improve Safety; USGS ShakeAlert sign-up FAQ; Earthquake Warning California Get Alerts.
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