The Top 10 Tools for Earthquake Preparedness

If you live in earthquake territory, you need to stock water. According to a report (PDF) by the city of Los Angeles, “The water system is the utility most vulnerable to earthquake damage, and that damage could be the largest cause of economic disruption following an earthquake.” After testing several different containers, we think the 7-gallon Reliance Aqua-Tainer is the best overall choice for disaster preparedness. Rigid water containers made of blue polyethylene are better for storing and pouring water than opaque collapsible ones, since they’re more durable and leak-resistant.

A 7-gallon Aqua-Tainer will provide a full week’s worth of water for one person. Keith Porter, professor in the Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering department at the University of Colorado, notes in a report (PDF) that “earthquake experts recommend that homes and businesses have enough water to provide for one gallon per person, per day after a major earthquake to last at least 3 days and ideally for 2 weeks.” If you need to prepare for an entire family, the 55-gallon Augason Farms Water Filtration and Storage Kit (or another barrel similar to it) is another option. The Augason Farms barrel includes everything you need to store water and use it later, including a hose, pump, and liquid water purifier. The CDC recommends replacing stored water every six months.

If you see, hear, or smell evidence of a gas leak in the aftermath of an earthquake or some other disaster, your first priority is to turn off your gas. In almost all cases, a 12-inch or larger adjustable wrench will work, as will our (much smaller) adjustable wrench pick, which has an extra-wide jaw. Consider keeping your wrench in a zip-top bag and taping it (using duct tape) next to the valve. That way you won’t have to spend time looking for it in an emergency. And before sealing your wrench in the bag, pre-adjust it to fit the valve.

If you prefer, you could purchase a dedicated shut-off tool. After speaking with a handful of experts, we feel comfortable recommending the On Duty 4 in 1 Emergency Tool. It was designed by firefighters in the aftermath of California’s Loma Prieta earthquake, in 1989, and it’s often recommended to graduates of CERT emergency-preparedness classes. The 11-inch aluminum tool is sturdy and rustproof, and it won’t cause sparking, which a steel tool hitting steel might do (important when gas is leaking). You can also use it to shut off your water valve, pry open doors, and dig through debris.

Don’t be too quick to use this tool, though. Smell a leak? Yes, turn off the gas. But note that in most cities, the gas company has to come to your home to turn your gas back on. In a citywide disaster, scheduling that visit could take days or even weeks. So avoid turning off the gas unless there’s a specific reason to do so. If you smell gas when there isn’t an emergency unfolding around you, have everyone leave the building and call your gas company.

Small fires are always a possibility after a quake—the fires resulting from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake did more damage than the earthquake itself, according to Kristin Miller at the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Hopefully, you already have a fire extinguisher or two at home. And if you live in earthquake territory, you should have one that’s easily accessible on each floor (and ideally one in the kitchen and the garage, too).

We’ve carefully compared home extinguishers, and our favorite is the First Alert PRO5. This extinguisher is effective against all types of common household fires, including those involving wood and paper, burning liquids, and electrical fires. The PRO5 is relatively high-capacity, yet it still weighs a manageable 10 pounds. We prefer it over a disposable model because it has a sturdy and reliable metal valve (not plastic). And if you do use this extinguisher, you can refill it for about half the cost of getting a new one. Many neighborhood preparedness programs, such as Map Your Neighborhood, advise placing an extra fire extinguisher in front of your home following a quake, in case a neighbor needs one and doesn’t have one.

Though early warning earthquake-prediction programs are improving, they still can’t provide more than a few seconds to people near the center of a quake. But it’s important to be able to receive critical updates after the event. If the power goes out, a good emergency weather radio can tune in to AM/FM and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration channels (collectively known as a “weather band,” but they also issue all-hazard alerts) to keep you informed.

The Midland ER310 offers better reception and a brighter flashlight than other radios we tested, and it has more-effective charging options, including the ability to charge from dead through solar power or hand-cranking. Its notifications are both loud and readily visible, so you won’t miss any warnings. The ER310’s compact size makes it comfortable to carry, so it’s easier to grab on the go. It was also one of the few radios we tested that lived up to the crank-generating claims: We found that just one minute of cranking produced 10 minutes of radio time or a few minutes of flashlight use. Plus, the ER310’s durable body can stand up to heavy rain or a drop on a hard surface.

If there’s an emergency alert in your area, the ER310’s built-in NOAA audible alarm and flashing display will make sure you notice. When the siren sounds and the lights begin blaring (this can be quite clamorous), you can press any button to switch the radio to your preferred (preprogrammed) NOAA channel to get the news. If you fail to turn on the radio before a minute passes, the memory indicator will flash every five seconds to let you know an alert has been issued; it will continue to do so until you press any button to turn the notice off. So if you have hearing loss, or if you’re out of the house when the alarm goes off, you can still be alerted to any ugly conditions headed your way. The flashlight also has an SOS blinking pattern, and the radio has a button that sets off a high-pitched tone—beyond the range of human hearing—to attract the attention of rescue dogs, if you’re really in distress.

It’s common for communication systems to get bogged down after a quake. “If possible, try to text, and short text,” the National Safety Council’s Franks said. “That doesn’t use up the networks as much, and you may be able to get that short text through, rather than trying to connect a phone call.” We recommend the Anker PowerCore 10000 PD Redux as a reliable option for immediate power needs after an earthquake. It lacks built-in cables, but its 10,000 mAh capacity is higher and strong enough to fully charge most phones at least twice.

In addition to a USB-A output port, it has a USB-C Power Delivery (PD) port that enables charging (both input and output) up to 25 watts—nearly twice as fast as most power banks we’ve found with built-in cables. So you’ll spend less time waiting for your phone, and the power bank itself, to fully charge. About the size and shape of a bar of soap, the Redux has a smooth yet grippy texture and easily stows in a pocket or a pouch.

If you’re really strapped for power, the emergency radio we recommend has a USB port that can charge a phone through solar power or by hand-cranking (but you’ll need to have a cable on hand).

In the event of an extended power failure, a lantern or a flashlight can be incredibly helpful. But in the aftermath of an earthquake, when you may need to quickly gather supplies or sift through debris, a headlamp is particularly convenient. Keep your hands free with the Black Diamond Spot 400 headlamp. You’ll need to experiment with the Spot’s top buttons by clicking through various configurations, but we think the learning curve is fairly short. Just be sure to know how to use it before an emergency.

The headlamp comes with a Brightness Memory mode, which means it can revert back to its previous setting whenever you turn it on. This model also offers both a red-light option (which is good for when you’re switching it on and off at night) and a strobe effect for emergency signaling. And it lets you instantly transition the headlamp from full power to dimmed with one touch.

A headlamp and flashlight are great for focused tasks, but a lantern can brighten a whole room. After 35 hours of testing outdoor lighting, we found the UST 60 Day Duro Lantern works great as an indoor tool as well. It’s the brightest tabletop lantern we tested by far, and there’s a handle on top, so you can hang it from a carabiner or carry it with ease. A loop on the bottom provides additional hanging options. The upper handle is also coated in textured rubber, making it easier to grasp. Like every other model we tested, the 60 Day Duro has three brightness settings and a cool tone.

This lantern is powered by six D batteries, which is a lot. But on the highest of the three brightness settings, the lamp can stay lit for 60 days. (Though in our tests it did get dimmer towards the end.) Hopefully the power will have come back on before two months have passed, but the extra wattage is reassuring. The low brightness setting may not be illuminating enough for some tasks, such as picking pieces of broken glass off the floor. Yet during a recent outage, it was comforting to know we could drop to the low setting for simple tasks, or just to have some light in a room, without significantly diminishing the battery life. Another cheering detail: This model comes with a lifetime warranty.

If the 60 Day Duro’s price is more than you want to spend, UST also offers a 30 Day Duro, which is the same, but smaller and less expensive. It takes three D batteries and isn’t as bright, and the lowest setting lasts 30 days.

Most of the time, we recommend cost-effective, more environmentally friendly rechargeable batteries to power hardware that you can’t recharge or plug into a wall outlet. But during an emergency, the rules change, and it’s smart to keep a few disposable batteries on hand. If you don’t normally stock disposable batteries and are looking for something affordable, AmazonBasics Performance Alkaline Batteries are a good choice. They don’t provide as much power as some other options we’ve tested, but they work, and they have a 10-year shelf life (according to the manufacturer). The headlamp we recommend takes AAA batteries, and the lantern uses D batteries.

The First Aid Only 298 Piece All-Purpose First Aid Kit (FAO-442) holds a wide selection of gear to help with minor cuts, scrapes, and burns (bandages, gauze, wipes, ointments, and painkillers). And it has items for more-serious injuries (trauma pad, gauze, and some dressing pads) that you could face in the aftermath. This kit’s case opens like a book, so it’s relatively easy to find what you’re looking for in high-stress moments. The case is water resistant but not waterproof, so we recommend keeping it in a clear resealable bag if it’s stored somewhere that might get wet, like a cupboard beneath a sink.

Consider taking a first aid class through your local American Red Cross, and adding some additional life-saving items to any basic first aid kit.

The number of things that may be cracked, leaking, punctured, or torn after an earthquake is infinite. Duct tape is ideal for binding, mending, gaffing cable, or even handling certain first aid duties (when the right materials are unavailable). It is—as any MacGyver fan will tell you—an indispensable tool. Duck Brand Max Strength Duct Tape is the best all-around duct tape we found, and it should serve you well in a pinch—even if the task includes sticking the tape to masonry, wood, plastic, or glass. Tape up a tarp, repair a cracked window pane, make a sling—there are so many possibilities.

Make a plan with your family

Check that everyone in your family knows to drop, cover, and hold on (PDF) during a quake. You need to move to the floor, find a sturdy piece of furniture (like a table or desk) to get beneath, and then try not to move from that spot until the shaking stops. If you can’t find cover, use your arms or whatever you’re holding to protect your head and neck. If you’re in bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow, according to the Earthquake Country Alliance.

People who use walkers or wheelchairs should lock the wheels or turn off their devices. And, to the extent they are able, they should cover their head with their arms, a pillow, or a book, and bend over until the shaking stops. Earthquake Country Alliance has more tips (PDF) on earthquake preparedness for older people and people with disabilities.

After an earthquake, you might lose cell phone service. Talk to your family about where you can meet if you are outside, like a local park or school. Choose an out-of-town contact ahead of time—someone who can check in and communicate among family members if power and service are limited. If you evacuate because of a gas leak, or if your home seems structurally unstable, let the out-of-town person know.

Secure loose furniture and fragile objects

During a quake, buildings and their contents become dangerous. You don’t want a bookcase, crystal vase, or mirror to fall on you, so make sure it’s not easy for them to topple. As you prepare, prioritize small steps over perfection. You can use a furniture safety strap or putty to ensure that plates and cups stay on shelves. Cabinet doors will fly open during an earthquake unless you secure them. Some staffers who live in earthquake-prone areas say they avoid putting anything at all above their beds or sleeping directly beneath a window. You can adhere shatter-resistant window coverings to protect yourself from broken glass.

Plan around your bed

Many staffers who live in earthquake-prone areas keep sneakers or heavy-duty boots next to the bed, in case they have to walk across broken glass after an earthquake. They also keep their emergency flashlights and headlamps in bedside cabinet areas. If you have multiple floors in your dwelling, you might want to keep certain emergency-preparedness supplies, like first aid kits, on each floor.

Know your tsunami risk

If you are in a tsunami hazard zone, be on alert for official warnings issued in your city after an earthquake. A roar coming from the ocean or a sudden absence of water at the beach will be another indicator. Get to higher ground as quickly as possible. If you are not in a tsunami hazard zone but still receive a warning, stay where you are, unless an official tells you otherwise.

Back up documents and records

Take pictures of your home and valuables to create a record of their current condition, in case of an insurance claim. Back up the images online, where you can access them should anything happen to your phone or camera.

Keep originals of important documents in a fire-proof safe or other secure location, and leave copies with your out-of-town contact.

This article was edited by Joshua Lyon and Harry Sawyers.