Preparing for an earthquake

What matters most

• First aid kit Essential
  A stocked first aid kit that everyone knows where to find.
• Flashlight Essential
  A flashlight for each part of the home you'd need to move around in the dark.
• Meeting point
  Somewhere your household agrees to meet if you're separated.
• Utility shut-offs
  Where to turn off water, gas and electricity.
• Drinking water Essential
  3 litres per person per day for drinking is the commonly recommended amount.
• Food for everyone Essential
  Non-perishable food that will last your household for your chosen number of days.
• Emergency contacts Essential
  Important numbers saved where you can reach them without the internet.
• Important documents
  Know where your important documents are kept. SupKit never asks you to upload them.

What official guidance in the US says

• In an earthquake, drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck, and hold on until shaking stops.¹
• If you're indoors, stay inside; don't run outside or stand in a doorway.¹
• If you're in bed, turn face down and protect your head and neck with a pillow.¹
• If you're driving, pull over, stop and set the parking brake.¹
• Secure heavy items like bookcases, fridges, water heaters and TVs before an earthquake.¹
• Expect aftershocks after the main earthquake.¹

Water and food for a few days

For two adults, SupKit's figures for 3 days are:

Long-life food that suits an earthquake

Each of these keeps without a fridge and doesn't need the fridge once opened:

• Canned chili
• Canned soup
• Baked beans
• Microwave rice pouch
• Canned tuna
• Crackers
• Peanut butter
• Dried fruit and nuts
• Granola bars
• Canned fruit

Allergies, dietary needs and children

Plan around everyone at home: allergies, intolerances and diets come first, and familiar food matters most for children. Recipes vary between brands, so always read the label of the product you buy.

Typical allergens and diets are SupKit's guide to the main ingredient, not a product's label.

• US law names nine major food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans and sesame (sesame added from 2023).²
• Labels must name each major allergen's source, either in brackets in the ingredient list or in a 'Contains' statement next to it.²
• 'May contain' warnings are voluntary in the US, so not every maker uses them and their absence is not a guarantee.³

Young children

• The CDC lists whole or chopped nuts and seeds, and spoonfuls of nut butter, as choking hazards for young children.⁴
• Do not give honey to children under 12 months; it can cause infant botulism.⁵
• Avoid salty foods such as canned foods and processed meats for young children.⁵