Essential safety tips for families during earthquakes

07/01/26

Blog

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In a country like India, situated across multiple seismic belts, tremors are not distant possibilities. They are eventualities; in fact, we can confidently say earthquakes are our geological certainty. The difference between panic and poise often lies in how much a family has rehearsed the ordinary steps that matter most in extraordinary seconds.

What to do during an earthquake

1. Prepare for emergency with family

Families that talk about emergencies before they happen respond better when they do. Ask yourself and your family members: what to do if an earthquake happens? Map where you’ll meet if separated. Note who picks up whom. Write emergency numbers on paper, not just phones. These rituals look excessive in calm times, but they anchor you in chaos.

2. Build infrastructure

To start with, bolt tall furniture to the wall. Move heavy items lower. Check your house’s gas lines and electrical fittings once a year. A single bracket can prevent a fatal injury. At a broader level, capability means community. Neighbours who know each other’s needs — the elderly on the third floor, the toddler downstairs, the dog who hides under beds — form the first response network long before officials arrive. And, significantly, aftershocks are normal. Treat each one seriously until proven otherwise.

3. What to do during an earthquake?

After the shaking stops, data becomes the basis for coordination. Check in with family using texts instead of calls, as networks handle them better. Verify information before forwarding; avoiding misinformation should be regarded as one of the crucial precautions of earthquake recovery. False alarms can clog helplines and dilute the impact that emergency resources can have.

Once the tectonic movement stops, assess the basics: injuries, gas leaks, and electrical damage. Use torches, not flames. If you smell gas, open windows, leave the premises immediately, and alert authorities. Then, step outside carefully. Avoid walls, poles, and wires. Open areas, including playgrounds, parking lots, and parks, can all become temporary sanctuaries. If you live near a coast, move uphill; undersea quakes can create secondary risks.
Check on others. Earthquakes dismantle isolation faster than they topple buildings. A knock on the door next door can be as important as your own exit.

Helping children regain balance

Children often absorb fear in silence. They watch adult faces more than they listen to words. After a quake, explain simply what happened and what you all did right. Routine restores security: meals at regular times, shared chores, small responsibilities.

Invite them to repack an ‘emergency kit’ with you. It gives them agency, which can act as the antidote to the feeling of helplessness. Fear fades faster when replaced with participation. The kit must be placed in a waterproof roller-bag near your main exit and contain supplies that are relevant for what to do if an earthquake happens. Contents: three litres of sealed water per person for three days; high-calorie non-perishable food (biscuits, energy bars, canned protein) requiring no cooking; a battery-powered radio and flashlight with spare batteries (information is survival); a first-aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, painkillers, and a week’s supply of any prescription medications; photocopies of IDs, insurance, property papers, bank details in a sealed pouch; ₹10,000 in small denominations; a multipurpose tool, duct tape, plastic sheeting; sanitation supplies including wet wipes, toilet bags, and basic hygiene items; a whistle (to signal rescuers if trapped); and one comfort item per child. The total cost is under ₹5,000 per family. That is the cost of two family dinners at a restaurant.

To better understand children’s risks during emergencies, read why children are most vulnerable during a natural disaster.

Living with awareness

No family can earthquake-proof their lives. What you can do is replace uncertainty with muscle memory and ensure that precautions of earthquake recovery are a part and parcel of their lives. None of it requires grand budgets or constant worry — only small, consistent actions. Over time, they become invisible habits, and those habits are what stand between panic and composure, and between compliance to a set of earthquake do’s and donts and chaos.

Bal Raksha Bharat promotes earthquake safety through its resilience and disaster preparedness programs that teach children and communities how to respond effectively during earthquakes and other natural disasters. The NGO collaborates with local schools, families, and government agencies to develop child-centric emergency plans and conduct training on first aid, identifying safe evacuation routes, and panic avoidance. They also establish child-friendly spaces in disaster-affected areas to provide safe environments for education and emotional support. During emergencies, Bal Raksha Bharat rapidly deploys relief teams to provide food, water, shelter, medical care, and psychosocial support, helping children recover and build long-term resilience against future disasters. These efforts ensure children are both protected and empowered in earthquake-prone regions.​

The NGO collaborates with schools to develop child-centred disaster response plans that are culturally appropriate and context-specific. They also integrate disaster risk reduction education into the school curriculum to raise awareness and empower students with practical knowledge. Additionally, Bal Raksha Bharat engages children in participatory activities to strengthen their role as leaders in promoting safety and resilience in their communities. These programmes are supported by partnerships with local disaster management authorities to ensure alignment with official emergency protocols.

Naveen Kumar

“Naveen is an SEO expert and digital marketing analyst at Bal Raksha Bharat with a passion for helping businesses grow online. With a data-driven approach, he specializes in boosting search rankings, driving traffic, and optimizing digital strategies. Follow for tips on SEO, content, and marketing trends."