10 Earthquake Safety Tips to Keep Children Safe
Earthquakes are caused by the breaking and shifting of rock beneath the earth’s surface. They can strike without warning and can occur at any time. In the U.S., 45 states and territories are at moderate to very high risk of earthquakes.
Globally, 81% of earthquakes occur along the world's earthquake belt, the circum-Pacific seismic belt, found along the rim of the Pacific Ocean. It has earned the nickname "Ring of Fire" for this reason. Japan and Indonesia are among the world's top most earthquake-prone countries.
On August, 10, 2026, the strongest earthquake to hit Colombia in a decade struck the western part of the country, causing widespread destruction across the Pacific Region. The disaster has left children and families facing uncertainty, fear and the loss of homes, schools and essential services. Save the Children is responding to support affected communities and provide support where it is needed the most.
Save the Children’s emergency experts share 10 earthquake safety tips including what you can do before, during and after an earthquake.
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10 Earthquake Safety Tips for Families
1. Create an earthquake emergency plan for the whole family
2. Identify safe spots inside your home location
3. Practice earthquake drills with children
4. Be informed of school disaster plans & procedures
5. Keep up-to-date contact information
6. Drop, cover, and hold on
7. Find an open spot away from buildings & trees
8. If in a vehicle, stop driving & pull over
9. After an earthquake, involve children in recovery
10. Listen to children and offer reassurance
Below, we break down these earthquake safety tips into what families should do before, during and after an earthquake.
How Can Families Prepare for an Earthquake?
- Talk to your children about earthquakes.
Explain to your child what could happen, using simple, age-appropriate words. Outline an earthquake emergency plan for the whole family, with an evacuation plan and meeting location and emphasize that their safety is your utmost priority.
- Find safe spots in your home.
Identify and discuss the safest place in an earthquake in your home and tell children to go there immediately if they feel an earthquake. The safest place is an interior room of your house without any windows, such as a bathroom or closet. If possible, take cover under something sturdy, like a heavy table.
- Practice earthquake drills.
Once you’ve created your earthquake evacuation plan and talked with your children about it, it’s time to practice. Practicing earthquake drills will help children understand what to do and how to stay safe during an earthquake.
- Learn your child’s school or daycare disaster plans.
If child’s school or childcare center is in an area at risk from earthquakes, find out how their emergency plan addresses earthquakes. Learn their procedures for evacuation, notifying parents and if there is an alternate pick up location.
- Keep contact information current.
Phone numbers, addresses and relationships change. Keep your children’s school or childcare emergency release information up to date, so that if an earthquake strikes, you’ll know where your child is and who can pick them up.
What Can Families Do to Stay Safe During an Earthquake?
- Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
If you’re inside, drop to the ground and take cover under something sturdy like a desk or table if you feel an earthquake. With one hand hold on to the object and with your other arm protect your head and neck. If you don’t have anything sturdy to take cover under, crouch down next to an interior wall. Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you’re sure it’s safe to exit.
- Find an open spot.
If you’re outside, the safest place in an earthquake is a clear spot away from buildings, trees, streetlights and power lines. Drop to the ground and stay there until the shaking stops.
- If in a vehicle, stop.
Pull over to a clear location, stop and stay there with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops.
What Can Families Do After an Earthquake?
- Involve children in recovery.
After an earthquake, include children in clean-up activities if it is safe to do so. It is comforting to children to watch the household begin to return to normal and to have a job to do.
- Listen to children.
Encourage your child to express feelings of fear, anxiety or anger. Listen carefully, show understanding, and offer reassurance. Tell your child that the situation is not permanent, and provide physical reassurance through time spent together and displays of affection. Contact local organizations, voluntary organizations, or professionals for counseling if extra help is needed.
What should you do during an earthquake if you're at home?
Identify and discuss the safest place in your home and tell children to go there immediately if they feel an earthquake. During an earthquake, the safest place is an interior room of your house without any windows, such as a bathroom or closet. If possible, take cover under something sturdy, like a heavy table.
Where is the safest place during an earthquake?
If you're inside during an earthquake, drop to the ground and take cover under something sturdy like a desk or table if you feel an earthquake. With one hand hold on to the object and with your other arm protect your head and neck. If you don’t have anything sturdy to take cover under, crouch down next to an interior wall. Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you’re sure it’s safe to exit.
If you're outside during an earthquake, your safest option is to find an open space away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines. Drop to the ground and stay there until the shaking stops.
How can families prepare for an earthquake?
Talk to your children about earthquakes. Explain to your child what could happen, using simple, age-appropriate words. Outline an earthquake emergency plan for the whole family, with an evacuation plan and meeting location and emphasize that their safety is your utmost priority.
What should you do for children after an earthquake?
Listen to children and encourage your child to express feelings of fear, anxiety or anger. Listen carefully, show understanding, and offer reassurance. Tell your child that the situation is not permanent and provide physical reassurance through time spent together and displays of affection.
Make sure children are involved in recovery. After an earthquake, include children in clean-up activities if it is safe to do so. It is comforting to children to watch the household begin to return to normal and to have a job to do.
Contact local organizations, voluntary organizations, or professionals for counseling if extra help is needed.
How to Help Children and Families Affected by an Earthquake
Your donation to the Children's Emergency Fund helps our work in the U.S. and around the world to support children and their communities prevent, prepare for and recover from deadly earthquakes and other extreme weather events.
Additional Earthquake Safety Resources:
American Red Cross: Earthquake Preparedness | Earthquake Country Alliance: Welcome to Earthquake Country | Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Earthquake
These tips were developed by Save the Children’s emergency response and child protection experts, based on decades of experience supporting children in crises worldwide.
Clinically Reviewed by: Save the Children's Child Protection team | Written by: Save the Children Editorial Team| Last Reviewed: August 2026
