Earthquakes

Earthquakes can happen anywhere — here are some safety tips to help prepare.

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An Earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the earth, caused by the breaking and shifting of rocks deep underneath the Earth's surface. Initial mild shaking may strengthen and become extremely strong within seconds. Additional Earthquakes called aftershocks may occur for hours, days, or even months. Earthquakes can also cause fires, tsunamis, landslides, avalanches, or power outages. Earthquakes can happen anywhere, at anytime of the year and without warning.

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Emergency Management

617-343-2400

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85 Bragdon Street

Boston, MA 02119
United States

How to prepare

Prepare Your Family

Sign up for AlertBoston to receive emergency notifications from the City of Boston.
Create and review family emergency plan.
Practice how to drop, cover, and hold on.
Build an emergency kit.

Prepare Your Home

Fasten and secure bookcases, hutches, and free standing shelving to walls.
Place large or heavy objects and fragile objects on lowers shelves.
Consider making improvements to your building to fix structural issues that could cause your building to collapse during an earthquake.
Consider obtaining an earthquake insurance policy. A standard insurance policy does not cover earthquake damage.
Record your personal property by taking photos and videos of your belongings. Store those in a safe place.

Protect Yourself During

Protect Yourself

Drop down to the ground so the earthquake doesn't knock you down.

Cover your head with your arms to protect you from falling debris. If possible, crawl under a sturdy desk, table, or other piece of furniture for additional protection. Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors, walls, and other items that could fall.

Hold on to any sturdy item you can until the shaking stops.

Tips if you are outside

If you are outside, move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires

If you are in a vehicle, pull to the side of the road. Stay inside until the earthquake is over. Do not stop under overpasses or under power lines.

What To Do After An Earthquake

Check on the following

Yourself for injuries
Surroundings to ensure you are safe
Building or house for any property damage (Take photos and videos to document and contact your insurance company. Also check chimneys and have them inspected by a professional.)
Family, friends, and neighbors, especially if they are elderly, live alone, have medical conditions, or may need additional help

Things to Do

Monitor local media for emergency information.
Follow instructions from public safety officials.
If you are trapped try calling or texting for help. Try tapping on a pipe or wallow using a whistle to help rescuers locate you.
Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies.
Call 3-1-1 to report non-emergency situations and to get information regarding resources.
Stay away from downed power lines and assume they are live.
Stay out of damaged buildings and areas until officials have deemed safe.
Use social media or text messages to let others know you are OK if phone lines are down.
Be careful when cleaning up and wear protective clothing, like long-sleeve shirts, long pants, work gloves, and sturdy thick-soled shoes.