There has been an earthquake and I am at home

What is happening

Step by step

1. 1

   Phase 1

   During the shaking

   • Get down on the floor, under a sturdy table or against an interior wall, away from windows, shelves and cupboards.
   • Protect your head and neck with your arms or a cushion and hold on until the shaking stops.
   • In bed: stay there and protect your head with the pillow.
   • Do not run outside during the shaking and do not use stairs or lifts.
2. 2

   Phase 2

   In the first minutes afterwards

   • Put on sturdy shoes – broken glass is often everywhere.
   • Check for injured people; if someone is injured or trapped, or there is a fire, call the local emergency number (112 in the EU).
   • Watch for a smell of gas or hissing: then no switches, no flames, no phone in the room – leave the building and report it from outside.
   • Use a torch instead of candles or a lighter.
   • If there is clear damage (cracks in load-bearing walls, sagging ceilings), leave the building carefully by the stairs and take your go bag.
   • On the coast, after strong or long shaking go to higher ground or far inland at once.
3. 3

   Phase 3

   In the first hours

   • Use the radio or warning app for official instructions; keep phone calls short and prefer text messages.
   • Carefully check the home for damage: water and power lines, chimney, ceilings, cupboards.
   • Only close the main shut-offs if this can be done safely; do not turn gas back on yourself – have the utility or a professional check it.
   • Choose a protected spot in each room for aftershocks.
   • Ration water and supplies; only drink tap water once it has been officially cleared if pipes may be damaged.
4. 4

   Phase 4

   In the following days

   • Expect aftershocks and do not put heavy objects back up high.
   • Only enter damaged buildings once experts or the authorities have cleared them.
   • Only use a chimney or stove again after it has been checked.
   • Check on neighbours, especially older people or those living alone.
   • Photograph and document the damage.

What to watch out for

• Aftershocks

  Aftershocks can be strong and bring down already damaged walls, chimneys or shelves. With every new tremor: Drop, Cover, Hold On again.

• Gas and fire

  After earthquakes, fires often start from leaking gas lines, toppled appliances or open flames. No candles, no matches, no switches while gas may be present.

• Glass and falling objects

  Broken glass is the most common source of injury after the shaking. Wear shoes and, if needed, gloves; open cupboard doors carefully – contents may fall out.

• Trapped people

  Only free trapped people if there is no further risk of collapse, and follow the dispatcher's instructions. If a spinal injury is suspected, do not move the person unless there is immediate danger.

• Tsunami and landslides

  On the coast, strong or long shaking is itself the warning – do not wait for a siren. On a slope, watch for new cracks, rumbling and tilting trees or posts.

• Overloaded networks and rumours

  Shortly after a quake, mobile networks often buckle under the load. Text messages are more likely to get through than calls; predictions of “the next big one” on social media are no basis for action.

Special consideration

Children

After a quake, children are often very afraid of the next one. Stay close, explain simply what is happening and practise together what they do in an aftershock.

Wheelchair users or people with walking aids

If you cannot get down to the floor: lock the brakes, bend forward and protect your head and neck with your arms or a cushion. Keep essential aids close to the bed.