How to Survive an Earthquake Indoors
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Drop down on your hands and knees.
Crawl towards a sturdy piece of furniture.
Find a heavy desk or table with enough room for your whole body to fit underneath.
Get under the piece of furniture.
If there is no such piece of furniture available, crawl to a section of wall that has no high objects against it. Sit in a hunched position with your back against the wall.
Cover your face and head with your hands.
Remain still.
Close your eyes and stay in your safe spot until the ground stops shaking. Remain alert for aftershocks.
IN AN ELEVATOR
Drop down on your hands and knees on the floor of the elevator car.
Assume a crouched position, covering your head and face with your hands.
Stay in the elevator car.
Do not pry or bang on the doors. Most California elevators are equipped with shake-actuated switches that will automatically bring the car to the next level and open the doors in the event of a quake.
Step off the elevator.
When the doors open automatically, look down before you exit the car to make sure there is no gap between the door of the elevator and the beginning of the floor.
Take shelter under a sturdy piece of furniture.
Crawl under a heavy desk or table with enough room for your whole body to fit underneath. Cover your face and head with your hands. Remain still and alert for aftershocks.
ON A BRIDGE
Stop the car.
Pull over either off the road or as far out of the stream of traffic as possible. Turn off the engine, set your emergency brake, and turn on your hazard lights.
Remain in the car.
You will be more vulnerable to falling debris if you are outside of the vehicle.
Prepare for possible submersion if the bridge collapses.
Roll all the windows of the car down completely. Remove glasses, shoes, jewelry, and heavy clothing. Switch on the car’s interior lights.
Wait for the shaking to subside completely.
Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking has stopped.
Start your car and continue slowly.