Fillable checklist

Earthquake Preparedness Checklist: Secure and Drop Cover (Free Printable PDF)

Fillable US home quake-prep form: secure furniture, shutoff knowledge, kit, Drop Cover Hold On, and a meeting place. Print blank or save a filled PDF.

Safety Fillable form · 9 sections · 66 checks Download filled or blank PDF and CSV Cross-checked against Ready.gov, FEMA, Red Cross, and CPSC Anchor It · Last verified Sep 16, 2026

Snugage fillable checklist

Fill this on screen, then download a PDF or CSV. Download a blank copy to complete by hand. Answers stay in this tab only. The next visitor sees a blank form. This is a US household earthquake-prep walk: secure furniture, utility shutoff knowledge, kit, Drop, Cover, and Hold On, and a meeting place. It is not a seismic engineering evaluation and not a licensed home inspection. Mark Skip on items you are not doing this pass. Mark N/A on items the house does not need.

  • 9 sections
  • 66 checks
  • Blank for each visitor

Form details

Household and plan header

Record the house and the people this plan covers. Meeting place and out-of-area contact are records, not Pass or Fail scores. This is a household prep template, not a seismic evaluation and not a licensed inspection.

11 fields
Household and plan header

Use this count for water and food staging. Ready.gov kit: one gallon of water per person per day for several days. Red Cross: the same gallon figure, with a 3-day go-kit and a 2-week stay-at-home supply. FEMA P-530 uses the same gallon figure.

Ready.gov kit includes pet food and extra water. Red Cross plan: if it is not safe for you to stay, it is not safe for pets either. Write none if you have no animals, then mark pet lines N/A.

FEMA P-530: pick a meeting location near your home if the house is not accessible. Red Cross plan: one meeting place right outside the home for a sudden emergency.

Ready.gov earthquakes and Ready.gov plan: include an out-of-state or out-of-area contact and plan where to meet if you get separated. Red Cross: long-distance text or calls may work when local lines fail.

Ready.gov and FEMA V-1003: earthquakes can happen anywhere. V-1003 names higher-risk areas as California, Alaska, and the Mississippi Valley. Write your county guidance, or write not reviewed. Do not score a risk map as Pass or Fail.

Inspection station

Secure furniture and contents

Tick Done when the item is anchored, moved, or latched. This station is household fastening and placement. It is not a seismic engineering evaluation. Do not invent a federal brace Pass or Fail from strap count.

10 items
Secure furniture and contents

Tall, top-heavy furniture anchored to wall studs

Ready.gov earthquakes: secure bookcases, refrigerators, water heaters, televisions, and objects that hang on walls. FEMA protect brochure and FEMA P-530: anchor top-heavy pieces (bookcases, wardrobes, china cabinets, file cabinets) to wall studs with straps or tethers. CPSC Anchor It: use the furniture anti-tip kit and follow the kit instructions.

Tall, top-heavy furniture anchored to wall studs: Done, Skip, or N/A

TVs wall-mounted, or on TV furniture and still anchored to the wall

CPSC Anchor It: put TVs only on furniture designed to hold a television. Televisions that are not wall mounted should still be anchored to the wall. Mount flat-screens to the wall or to furniture. FEMA P-530: restrain TVs with straps or tethers so they cannot slide and fall.

TVs wall-mounted, or on TV furniture and still anchored to the wall: Done, Skip, or N/A

Refrigerator and other large appliances strapped or tethered

Ready.gov earthquakes lists refrigerators with heavy items to secure. FEMA P-530: restrain kitchen ranges, refrigerators, and similar appliances, especially next to exits. FEMA tips: anchor large appliances to walls using safety cables or straps.

Refrigerator and other large appliances strapped or tethered: Done, Skip, or N/A

Water heater restrained so it cannot overturn

FEMA protect brochure: fasten the water heater with straps so it does not move. FEMA tips: secure water heaters to wall studs with two metal straps. FEMA P-530: restrain the tank to adjacent walls and use a hardware-store strap kit or equivalent. Local code may require bracing. This form does not score strap count as a federal Pass or Fail.

Water heater restrained so it cannot overturn: Done, Skip, or N/A

Mirrors, pictures, and hanging objects secured

Ready.gov earthquakes: secure objects that hang on walls. FEMA tips: hang mirrors and pictures with closed hooks. FEMA P-530: secure heavy mirrors and pictures with at least two support points anchored into wall studs with closed hooks.

Mirrors, pictures, and hanging objects secured: Done, Skip, or N/A

Heavy and breakable objects moved to low shelves or the floor

Ready.gov earthquakes: store heavy and breakable objects on low shelves. FEMA protect brochure: relocate heavy or large items located over 4 feet above the ground. FEMA P-530: relocate heavy or large loose items taller than 4 ft to the floor or lower shelves. Those two pages agree on the 4-foot line.

Heavy and breakable objects moved to low shelves or the floor: Done, Skip, or N/A

Cabinet and drawer latches installed so contents cannot spill

FEMA protect brochure: childproof locks on drawers and cabinets help keep contents from falling and blocking an exit. FEMA P-530: install latches on kitchen cabinets above the counter, and consider below-counter cabinets too. FEMA tips: install latches on drawers and cabinet doors.

Cabinet and drawer latches installed so contents cannot spill: Done, Skip, or N/A

At least two exits kept clear of furniture that could overturn

FEMA protect brochure: keep at least two accessible exits and a clear path out after shaking stops. FEMA P-530: clear a path for at least two safe exits and move unstable furniture out of exit corridors.

At least two exits kept clear of furniture that could overturn: Done, Skip, or N/A

Flammable and toxic products stored so they cannot spill

FEMA protect brochure: store flammable and toxic household products somewhere secure. FEMA P-530: remove them, limit quantities, and store them so they cannot spill.

Flammable and toxic products stored so they cannot spill: Done, Skip, or N/A

Anchor kits attached into studs or masonry, straps tight with no slack

CPSC Anchor It: find a stud (often 16 or 24 inches apart), attach brackets to the stud or to masonry with the kit hardware, attach to solid wood on the furniture (not a thin back panel), then pull both ends of the strap. If there is no slack and nothing moves, the kit is seated. Follow the kit and the furniture or TV maker. This is tip-over hardware, not a seismic lab rating.

Anchor kits attached into studs or masonry, straps tight with no slack: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Utility shutoff knowledge

This station is knowledge and tagging, not a live shutoff drill. Ready.gov safety-skills: do not actually turn the gas off when you practice. If gas is shut off for any reason, only a qualified professional can turn it back on.

9 items
Utility shutoff knowledge

Electrical panel and main disconnect located and reachable

Ready.gov safety-skills and FEMA P-530: locate the electrical circuit box and teach responsible household members how to shut off electricity. Write the location in Notes. Do not remove a dead front.

Electrical panel and main disconnect located and reachable: Done, Skip, or N/A

Household knows to shut individual circuits before the main

Ready.gov safety-skills: always shut off all the individual circuits before shutting off the main circuit. That is the published order. Do not invent an amp rating as Pass or Fail.

Household knows to shut individual circuits before the main: Done, Skip, or N/A

Main house water shutoff found, tagged, and confirmed it will close

Ready.gov safety-skills: find the shutoff on the main water line that enters the house, tag it, and make sure it will close. A rusted-open valve should be replaced. This is the house valve, not the street curb stop, which needs a special tool. FEMA P-530: know the water shutoff and train the household.

Main house water shutoff found, tagged, and confirmed it will close: Done, Skip, or N/A

Gas shutoff procedure learned from the gas company for this meter

Ready.gov safety-skills: meter layouts differ, so call the gas company for the procedure that matches this house. FEMA P-530: know where the gas shutoff is and how to turn it. Mark N/A if the house has no gas.

Gas shutoff procedure learned from the gas company for this meter: Done, Skip, or N/A

Practice did not actually turn the gas off

Ready.gov safety-skills: do not actually turn off the gas when practicing. If gas is shut off for any reason, only a qualified professional can turn it back on. Never try to restore it yourself. Mark N/A if there is no gas.

Practice did not actually turn the gas off: Done, Skip, or N/A

Shutoff tool is at the valve or in the kit

Ready.gov kit puts a wrench or pliers in the disaster kit for utilities. FEMA P-530: keep a gas shut-off wrench ready, preferably near the valve. Write where the tool lives.

Shutoff tool is at the valve or in the kit: Done, Skip, or N/A

Household knows when it would shut utilities, and when it would not

Ready.gov safety-skills: shut water if lines may be cracked, and shut gas if you smell gas or hear hissing, then leave and call from another location. FEMA P-530: shut gas if you smell or hear a leak or the meter is spinning quickly. Shut it only if needed, because only the gas company can restore it. This form does not order a shutoff on a practice day.

Household knows when it would shut utilities, and when it would not: Done, Skip, or N/A

Flexible gas and water connections reviewed as licensed plumber work

FEMA protect brochure: have flexible connections where gas lines meet the house and at water heaters and other gas equipment. FEMA P-530: rigid gas or water lines at the water heater are a vulnerability, and a licensed plumber is recommended and may be required. This is not a DIY gas-pipe task. Mark N/A if there is no gas and the water heater lines are already flexible.

Flexible gas and water connections reviewed as licensed plumber work: Done, Skip, or N/A

Household knows a restrained, undamaged water heater can be emergency water

FEMA P-530: a properly restrained, undamaged water heater can be an emergency water source if utilities fail. Ready.gov safety-skills: shutting the house water valve can keep water in the heater and toilet tanks. Do not treat an unrestrained or leaking tank as a water supply.

Household knows a restrained, undamaged water heater can be emergency water: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Household kit

Ready.gov kit is several days of water and food. Red Cross splits a 3-day go-kit from a 2-week stay-at-home kit, and uses one gallon of water per person per day for both. Tick Done for what you actually staged. Do not invent a single national day-count as Pass or Fail.

14 items
Household kit

Drinking water staged at one gallon per person per day

Ready.gov kit, FEMA P-530, and Red Cross all use one gallon per person per day. Ready.gov says several days. Red Cross uses 3 days to go and 2 weeks to stay. FEMA P-530 works the same gallon math for a three-day example. Write the days you stored. Do not score one national day-count as Pass or Fail.

Drinking water staged at one gallon per person per day: Done, Skip, or N/A

Non-perishable food and a manual can opener staged

Ready.gov kit: a several-day supply of non-perishable food plus a manual can opener. Ready.gov earthquakes: enough food and water for several days.

Non-perishable food and a manual can opener staged: Done, Skip, or N/A

Battery or hand-crank radio, NOAA Weather Radio if you have one

Ready.gov kit: battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert. Red Cross earthquake: a battery-powered radio to stay informed. FEMA P-530: emergency or weather radio with extra batteries.

Battery or hand-crank radio, NOAA Weather Radio if you have one: Done, Skip, or N/A

Flashlight and extra batteries staged (not candles as the main light)

Ready.gov kit and Ready.gov earthquakes both list a flashlight. Red Cross after an earthquake: use flashlights, not candles, because of fire risk.

Flashlight and extra batteries staged (not candles as the main light): Done, Skip, or N/A

First aid kit staged

Ready.gov kit lists a first aid kit. Red Cross earthquake: learn first aid and CPR because emergency services may not be available.

First aid kit staged: Done, Skip, or N/A

Prescriptions organized and protected for an outage or evacuation

Ready.gov kit: organize and protect prescriptions because pharmacies may close. Red Cross earthquake: keep a 1-month supply of medication in a child-proof container when you can. Write what you packed. Those day-counts are not identical.

Prescriptions organized and protected for an outage or evacuation: Done, Skip, or N/A

Whistle staged to signal for help

Ready.gov kit, Ready.gov earthquakes, FEMA V-1003, and Red Cross all put a whistle in the kit. If trapped, Ready.gov says use a whistle instead of shouting.

Whistle staged to signal for help: Done, Skip, or N/A

Dust masks staged for debris or trapped air

Ready.gov kit: dust mask to help filter contaminated air. Red Cross: cover mouth and nose with a cloth, clothing, or a dust mask if trapped. Red Cross bed-kit also includes a dust mask.

Dust masks staged for debris or trapped air: Done, Skip, or N/A

Wrench or pliers staged to shut off utilities

Ready.gov kit includes a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities. Keep it with the kit if it is not already at the gas or water valve from the Utilities station.

Wrench or pliers staged to shut off utilities: Done, Skip, or N/A

Cell phone chargers and a backup battery staged

Ready.gov kit: cell phone with chargers and a backup battery. Red Cross earthquake: have a backup battery or a way to charge the phone, including for devices such as a CPAP.

Cell phone chargers and a backup battery staged: Done, Skip, or N/A

Fire extinguisher on hand and household knows where it is

Ready.gov earthquakes and Ready.gov kit both list a fire extinguisher. Ready.gov safety-skills: at least one up-to-date ABC-type extinguisher, and everyone should know where it is kept. US Fire Administration: use one only if you have been trained.

Fire extinguisher on hand and household knows where it is: Done, Skip, or N/A

Bed-kit staged: sturdy shoes, flashlight, glasses, dust mask, and whistle

Red Cross earthquake: attach a bed-kit for a quake while you sleep. Include sturdy shoes to protect feet from glass (a common earthquake injury), plus a flashlight, glasses, a dust mask, and a whistle. Mark N/A only if no one sleeps in this house.

Bed-kit staged: sturdy shoes, flashlight, glasses, dust mask, and whistle: Done, Skip, or N/A

Pet food, water, leash or carrier, and pet-record copies staged

Ready.gov kit lists pet food and extra water. Ready.gov plan includes pets or service animals. Red Cross plan: pets go if it is not safe to stay. Mark N/A if there are no animals.

Pet food, water, leash or carrier, and pet-record copies staged: Done, Skip, or N/A

Kit location is known, and expired food, water, or batteries were replaced

Ready.gov kit: keep the home kit in a designated place everyone knows, and replace expired items. Red Cross splits a carryable 3-day go-kit from a 2-week stay-at-home kit. Write both locations in Notes if you keep two bags.

Kit location is known, and expired food, water, or batteries were replaced: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Drop, Cover, and Hold On

Tick Done when the household can do the step without a script. Ready.gov and FEMA V-1003: do not run outside, and do not get in a doorway. Practice is the point of this station.

10 items
Drop, Cover, and Hold On

Household practiced Drop, Cover, and Hold On together

Ready.gov earthquakes, FEMA V-1003, FEMA P-530, and Red Cross all tell you to practice before shaking starts. Ready.gov: practice with family. Identify a sturdy table or an interior wall in the rooms you use most.

Household practiced Drop, Cover, and Hold On together: Done, Skip, or N/A

Everyone can Drop onto hands and knees where they are

Ready.gov earthquakes and Red Cross: Drop where you are onto your hands and knees. That position protects you from being knocked down and lets you crawl to cover. Ready.gov also says Drop or Lock if you use a wheelchair or walker.

Everyone can Drop onto hands and knees where they are: Done, Skip, or N/A

Cover under a sturdy table if nearby, else an interior wall away from windows

Ready.gov and Red Cross: cover your head and neck. Crawl under a sturdy table or desk if one is nearby. If not, crawl next to an interior wall away from windows. Stay on your knees and bend over to protect vital organs. Do not run to another room if that means crossing debris.

Cover under a sturdy table if nearby, else an interior wall away from windows: Done, Skip, or N/A

Hold On until the shaking stops, and move with the shelter

Ready.gov: if under shelter, hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it. If not under shelter, hold your head and neck with both arms. Red Cross: hold onto the table as things move, and use an arm to protect your head and neck.

Hold On until the shaking stops, and move with the shelter: Done, Skip, or N/A

Plan is stay inside, do not run outside, and avoid doorways

Ready.gov earthquakes: if you are inside, stay; do not run outside; avoid doorways. FEMA V-1003: do not get in a doorway and do not run outside. FEMA protect brochure: most people should Drop, Cover, and Hold On and stay until shaking stops.

Plan is stay inside, do not run outside, and avoid doorways: Done, Skip, or N/A

If in bed: stay there, face down, cover head and neck with a pillow

Ready.gov earthquakes: if you are in bed, turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow. Red Cross and FEMA V-1003: stay in bed and cover with a pillow. Do not get up and walk on broken glass in the dark.

If in bed: stay there, face down, cover head and neck with a pillow: Done, Skip, or N/A

Wheelchair or walker plan: lock wheels and cover head and neck

Ready.gov: if you use a walker or wheelchair, LOCK your wheels, get as low as you can, cover your head and neck, and Hold On. Red Cross: remain seated until shaking stops. If you cannot drop, brace and protect your head and neck. Mark N/A if no one in the household uses a chair or walker.

Wheelchair or walker plan: lock wheels and cover head and neck: Done, Skip, or N/A

If outside: move to an open area, then Drop and Cover until shaking stops

Ready.gov: if you are outside, stay outside. Move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights, and power lines. Drop and cover until shaking stops. Red Cross: crawl toward open space if you can.

If outside: move to an open area, then Drop and Cover until shaking stops: Done, Skip, or N/A

If in a car: pull over, set the parking brake, stay in the vehicle

Ready.gov: if you are in a car, pull over and stop, and set your parking brake. FEMA V-1003: stop in a clear area away from buildings, trees, overpasses, underpasses, or utility wires. Red Cross: stay in the vehicle, then proceed cautiously and avoid bridges or ramps.

If in a car: pull over, set the parking brake, stay in the vehicle: Done, Skip, or N/A

Household is ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On again for aftershocks

Ready.gov, FEMA V-1003, FEMA P-530, and Red Cross: expect aftershocks and repeat Drop, Cover, and Hold On whenever you feel shaking.

Household is ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On again for aftershocks: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Meeting place and communication

Header stores the place names. This station confirms everyone knows them and has practiced reconnecting. Pets belong in the same plan.

9 items
Meeting place and communication

Near-home meeting place known to everyone in the household

FEMA P-530: select a meeting location near your home if the house is not accessible. Red Cross plan: one place right outside your home for a sudden emergency. Everyone should be able to name it without looking at this form.

Near-home meeting place known to everyone in the household: Done, Skip, or N/A

Outside-neighborhood meeting place named if you cannot return home

Ready.gov plan: establish a family meeting place that is familiar and easy to find. Red Cross plan: choose a second place outside your neighborhood if you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate.

Outside-neighborhood meeting place named if you cannot return home: Done, Skip, or N/A

Out-of-area contact is written down and saved on phones

Ready.gov earthquakes: create a communications plan with an out-of-state contact. Red Cross: everyone should carry emergency contact information in writing and on phones, and schools or daycare should have the numbers too.

Out-of-area contact is written down and saved on phones: Done, Skip, or N/A

At least two ways out of the home are identified and kept usable

FEMA protect brochure: make sure there are at least two accessible exits. FEMA P-530: clear paths for at least two safe exits. After shaking, leave carefully if the building is damaged.

At least two ways out of the home are identified and kept usable: Done, Skip, or N/A

Household signed up for alerts or early warning where it is offered

Ready.gov earthquakes: sign up for earthquake alerts. Red Cross: earthquake early-warning systems are in development; see if they are available in your area. Wireless Emergency Alerts and local emergency-management signup still apply. Mark Skip if you are only recording a plan to sign up later.

Household signed up for alerts or early warning where it is offered: Done, Skip, or N/A

If near a coast or below a dam: inland or higher-ground place is named

Ready.gov and FEMA V-1003: if tsunamis are possible, go inland or to higher ground immediately after shaking stops. Red Cross: do not wait for an official warning. FEMA P-530 also flags homes below dams. Mark N/A if this house is not in a tsunami or dam-inundation setting.

If near a coast or below a dam: inland or higher-ground place is named: Done, Skip, or N/A

Medications, devices, kids, and extra help listed in the plan

Ready.gov plan: account for ages, medical needs, disabilities, devices, languages, and people you assist. Red Cross earthquake: create a personal support team. Include chargers for medical devices in the kit notes.

Medications, devices, kids, and extra help listed in the plan: Done, Skip, or N/A

Pets are in the reunion and leave-the-house plan

Ready.gov plan includes pets or service animals. Red Cross plan: if it is not safe for you to stay, it is not safe for pets. Name who grabs the carrier. Mark N/A if there are no animals.

Pets are in the reunion and leave-the-house plan: Done, Skip, or N/A

Household practiced how they reconnect after shaking

Ready.gov plan: practice your plan. Red Cross: practice as many elements as you can. This is a reunion drill after Drop, Cover, and Hold On, not a fire-escape map (use the fire-escape plan template for room-by-room exits).

Household practiced how they reconnect after shaking: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

After the shaking stops

Tick Done when the household can repeat the rule. You do not need an active aftershock to finish this station. This is response knowledge, not a damage grade of the house.

8 items
After the shaking stops

Plan is to wait, check for immediate dangers, then move

Red Cross: wait a minute before getting up, check for immediate dangers, and protect yourself. Ready.gov: check yourself for injury, then help others if you have training.

Plan is to wait, check for immediate dangers, then move: Done, Skip, or N/A

Sturdy shoes go on before walking through debris or glass

Red Cross: put on sturdy shoes as soon as possible because of broken glass. FEMA V-1003: wear sturdy shoes and work gloves. This pairs with the bed-kit shoes line.

Sturdy shoes go on before walking through debris or glass: Done, Skip, or N/A

If the building is damaged, go outside, stay away, and do not re-enter

Ready.gov and FEMA V-1003: if you are in a damaged building, go outside and quickly move away. Do not enter damaged buildings. Red Cross: if you do not have a safe area outside, remaining inside may be better. Follow local officials.

If the building is damaged, go outside, stay away, and do not re-enter: Done, Skip, or N/A

If trapped: text or bang, use a whistle, cover your mouth, do not shout first

Ready.gov and FEMA V-1003: send a text or bang on a pipe or wall, cover your mouth, and use a whistle instead of shouting. Red Cross: knock three times every few minutes and protect mouth, nose, and eyes from dust.

If trapped: text or bang, use a whistle, cover your mouth, do not shout first: Done, Skip, or N/A

Plan is flashlights, not candles, matches, lighters, or switches until gas is clear

Red Cross: use flashlights, not candles. Do not use matches, lighters, appliances, or light switches until you are sure there are no gas leaks. Sparks can ignite gas.

Plan is flashlights, not candles, matches, lighters, or switches until gas is clear: Done, Skip, or N/A

If you smell or hear gas: leave, shut from outside if you can, call from another location

Ready.gov safety-skills: if you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing, open a window, get out, turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can, and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. Red Cross: if you suspect a leak, leave and call 911, then the utility.

If you smell or hear gas: leave, shut from outside if you can, call from another location: Done, Skip, or N/A

Plan is to text or post that you are OK, and save voice calls for emergencies

Ready.gov: use text messages (they may be more reliable and save battery) and use social media to let people know you are okay. FEMA V-1003: save phone calls for emergencies.

Plan is to text or post that you are OK, and save voice calls for emergencies: Done, Skip, or N/A

Plan is to hire a professional for structural or chimney damage, not to grade it here

Ready.gov: consider building improvements for structural issues that could cause collapse. FEMA P-530: do not use the fireplace until a chimney inspector says it is safe, and request a home safety evaluation when the house looks damaged. This checklist is not that evaluation.

Plan is to hire a professional for structural or chimney damage, not to grade it here: Done, Skip, or N/A

Inspection station

Insurance and papers

This station is awareness and a grab-ready file, not a policy application and not a claims packet. Do not invent a deductible or coverage dollar amount as Pass or Fail.

6 items
Insurance and papers

Household knows a standard homeowners or renters policy does not cover earthquake

Ready.gov earthquakes, FEMA V-1003, FEMA protect brochure, and Red Cross agree: a standard homeowners or renters policy does not cover earthquake damage. Fire after an earthquake may still follow the fire part of a policy. This form does not sell coverage.

Household knows a standard homeowners or renters policy does not cover earthquake: Done, Skip, or N/A

Earthquake coverage options reviewed with an agent, or skipped this pass

Ready.gov earthquakes: consider obtaining an earthquake insurance policy. FEMA protect brochure: talk to your insurance agent, especially in a high-risk area. Availability, deductibles, and waiting rules vary by state and insurer. Write the result in Notes. Mark Skip if you are not doing insurance this pass.

Earthquake coverage options reviewed with an agent, or skipped this pass: Done, Skip, or N/A

Photo or video inventory of rooms and valuables stored off-site or in the cloud

FEMA protect brochure: document contents with photos or a walk-through video to help a claim. Ready.gov kit also wants important documents saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container.

Photo or video inventory of rooms and valuables stored off-site or in the cloud: Done, Skip, or N/A

ID, policy, and medical-list copies stored where you can grab them

Ready.gov kit: copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank records in a waterproof, portable container. Red Cross earthquake: keep personal, financial, and medical records safe and easy to access, and consider a medication list on a small card.

ID, policy, and medical-list copies stored where you can grab them: Done, Skip, or N/A

Insurer contact and policy number stored where you can reach them after a quake

Keep the number with the document packet and on a phone. This is a household record. It is not proof that a policy is in force.

Insurer contact and policy number stored where you can reach them after a quake: Done, Skip, or N/A

Structural retrofit, if considered, is a licensed conversation, not a score on this form

Ready.gov earthquakes: consider making improvements to fix structural issues that could cause collapse. FEMA protect brochure: hillside homes, foundation anchorage, and garage bracing are large projects that may need a contractor or design professional. Do not mark Done as a federal brace Pass. Mark N/A if you are not evaluating the structure this pass.

Structural retrofit, if considered, is a licensed conversation, not a score on this form: Done, Skip, or N/A

Form details

Review and sign-off

Write what is still open, set a review date, then sign. This worksheet is not a seismic engineering evaluation, not a licensed home inspection, and not a substitute for local emergency-management orders.

7 fields
Review and sign-off

Ready.gov kit: rethink the kit every year as needs change. Review sooner after you move furniture, replace a water heater, or before a regional ShakeOut drill.

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References

  1. Earthquakes - Ready.gov
  2. Be Prepared for an Earthquake, FEMA V-1003 - Ready.gov
  3. Build A Kit - Ready.gov
  4. Make A Plan - Ready.gov
  5. Safety Skills: gas, water, and electric shutoff - Ready.gov
  6. Protect Your Property From Earthquakes - FEMA
  7. Earthquake Safety at Home, FEMA P-530 - FEMA
  8. Tips to Reduce Earthquake Damage - FEMA
  9. Earthquake Safety - American Red Cross
  10. Make a Plan - American Red Cross
  11. Anchor It! furniture and TV tip-over campaign - CPSC
  12. How to Install a Kit - AnchorIt.gov (CPSC)
  13. What You Will Need to Anchor Furniture and TVs - AnchorIt.gov (CPSC)

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These checklists are provided for general reference only. Always verify the steps against local codes, a licensed inspector or a qualified contractor before relying on them, especially for safety-critical work.