Earthquake advice

Before an earthquake

Develop a household emergency plan and prepare emergency items so that you can cope with being on your own for up to 3 days.

♦ Check our page to find out if you are in the tsunami evacuation zone

♦ Find out what arrangements your school has for keeping your children safe.

♦ Identify safe places within your home, school or workplace.

A safe place is:

under a strong table, remember to hold onto the legs
next to an interior wall
somewhere close to you - no more than a few steps, or 2 metres away - to avoid injury from flying debris

♦ Check your household insurance policy for cover and amount.

♦ Seek qualified advice to make sure your house is secured to its foundations. Make sure that any renovations comply with the building code.

If you are inside a building, move no more than a few steps - drop, cover and hold.
If you are outside, move no more than a few steps, then - drop, cover and hold.
If you are driving, pull over and stop. Stay in your vehicle until the shaking stops.
If you are at the beach or near the coast, and the earthquake is very strong or lasts over a minute, drop, cover and hold.
Then move to higher ground immediately in case a tsunami follows the quake.
Link to earthquake safety fact sheet

You should expect to feel aftershocks.
Help those around you if you can.
If you are in a damaged building, try to get outside and find a safe, open place.
Do not go sightseeing to look at the damage the earthquake has caused.
If you smell gas, try and turn off the gas main outside the building, if it is safe to do so.
If you see sparks, broken wires or evidence of electrical system damage, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box if it is safe to do so.
If your property is damaged, take notes and photographs for insurance purposes.
Listen to the radio for information and advice.