Apartment Earthquake Kit: What You Need When the Building Shakes

If you live in earthquake country (California, Oregon, Washington, or Utah), your apartment has specific vulnerabilities that house dwellers don’t face.

Before the Earthquake: Securing Your Space

Most earthquake injuries come from falling objects, not building collapse. Walk through your apartment and fix these:

• Tall bookshelves: Anchor to the wall with QuakeHOLD straps ($12). This alone might save your life.
• TV and monitors: Velcro straps to secure flat screens to furniture.
• Heavy wall art: Use earthquake-rated hooks, not regular nails.
• Kitchen cabinets: Install child-safety latches to prevent dishes from flying out.

Your Earthquake Go-Bag

Keep this by your front door or under your bed:

• Sturdy shoes (broken glass everywhere after a quake)
• Dust mask or N95 (debris and drywall dust)
• Headlamp
• Whistle (to signal rescuers if trapped)
• Water bottle + Sawyer Mini filter
• Energy bars
• Wrench for gas shutoff (know where your meter is)

During the Quake

Drop. Cover. Hold on.

Get under a sturdy desk or table. If there’s nothing nearby, cover your head and neck with your arms and crouch against an interior wall. Do NOT stand in a doorway (that’s a myth) and do NOT run outside.

After the Quake

1. Check yourself and others for injuries.
2. Put on shoes immediately (broken glass is the #1 post-quake injury).
3. Check for gas leaks (smell for rotten eggs).
4. If the building is visibly damaged, evacuate via stairs.
5. Do NOT re-enter until the building is inspected.

The Apartment Advantage

Believe it or not, apartments (especially modern ones) are often safer in earthquakes than old houses. Modern building codes require flexible construction that absorbs seismic energy. Your bigger risks are from unsecured objects and fire, not collapse.