Earthquake. The first ten minutes.

1. 1

   Drop, cover, hold on

   
   • Drop to hands and knees where you are
   • Cover your head and neck, get under a table if you can
   • Hold on until the shaking stops
2. 2

   Do not run outside

   
   • Falling glass and facades hurt people at the door
   • Stay away from windows
   • If you are in bed, stay there with a pillow over your head
3. 3

   In the car, pull over

   
   • Stop clear of overpasses, trees and power lines
   • Stay inside with the brake on
   • Wait for the shaking to end before moving
4. 4

   Shoes before anything

   
   • Broken glass is the most common injury
   • Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed
   • Put them on before you take a step
5. 5

   Check people, then yourself

   
   • Call out to everyone in the house
   • Treat bleeding before anything else
   • Do not move anyone badly hurt unless they are in danger
6. 6

   Smell for gas

   
   • Rotten egg smell or hissing means leave now
   • Do not flip switches or light anything
   • Shut the gas only if you smell it, and only if you know how
7. 7

   Expect aftershocks

   
   • Drop, cover and hold on every time
   • They can be strong for days
   • Stay out of damaged buildings
8. 8

   Look up before you move

   
   • Cracked ceilings, leaning shelves, hanging fixtures
   • Get out of a room that looks wrong
   • Open cabinets slowly, things fall
9. 9

   Text, do not call

   
   • Voice lines jam, texts get through
   • One out-of-area contact for the whole family
   • Mark yourself safe on your family group chat
10. 10

    Water and power check

    
    • If pipes may be broken, shut the main
    • Fill containers if pressure is still on
    • Treat downed lines as live
11. 11

    Near the coast and strong shaking

    
    • Head to high ground on foot, do not wait for a warning
    • Twenty seconds or more of shaking is the signal
    • Stay there until officials say it is clear
12. 12

    Get out if the building is damaged

    
    • Cracks in walls, doors that no longer close, a tilt
    • Take the go-bag and the pets
    • Meet at the spot you agreed on

Drop, cover, hold on. Then shoes, gas, people, and out if you have to.