Just a few days ago, an earthquake woke my husband and me up at five in the morning. This was a very unusual event for us because we don’t live in a state that usually experiences earthquakes. Although the shaking only lasted about a minute, I was already mentally planning how we would get our children out and where in our house we would go to be safer. After the earthquake passed, I looked up what the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends to do during an earthquake. I was surprised to discover that earthquakes can happen anywhere. In light of this information, here are some tips to prepare yourself in the event you experience an earthquake in an apartment building.

Renters insurance for an earthquake can seem like a waste of money, especially if you live in an area that isn’t prone to earthquakes; however, if you live east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, renters insurance may be a good idea since earthquakes travel farther. and deal damage to a wider area in the East. If you live elsewhere in the United States, you can check the FEMA website to find a map that shows your earthquake risk by state. This can help you determine if you think the risk is high enough to warrant purchasing earthquake insurance. Most regular renters insurance policies don’t cover earthquakes, so you’ll need to purchase a separate policy or rider.

FEMA suggests making a plan for an earthquake before it happens, as it is much more difficult to make a plan during an earthquake. I definitely agree with this advice as I couldn’t remember what is the best thing to do in an earthquake. “Go to the basement? No, that’s a tornado. Go outside? Duck in a doorway?” Just so you know, the official recommendation for an earthquake is to “take cover under a sturdy desk, table or bench or against an interior wall and hold on. If there is no table or desk near you, wear a face covering.” and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building. Stay away from glass, windows, exterior doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lamps or furniture.”

Other information I learned was to gather a 30 day emergency supply as severe earthquakes can damage water, sewer and power lines enough that they take quite a while to repair and stores may not be open due to the damages. Some items you may want to include in your supplies include: “Bagged water, containers and a water filter, canned food, pain relievers, creams, first aid kit, prescription medications, vitamins and supplements, entertainment items (books, table and coloring and activity books), lights (flashlights, lanterns, candles, and oil lamps), AM/FM weather radio (hand-cranked, solar-powered, or battery-powered)”. An earthquake can be a very frightening event, especially if you have never experienced one before. Being prepared can make your apartment less stressful and safer for your family.