The universal rule: Drop, Cover, Hold On
Wherever an earthquake catches you, the core advice is the same: Drop to the ground, take Cover under sturdy furniture or against an interior wall, and Hold On until the shaking stops. This protects you from the biggest indoor danger, falling objects and debris. Trying to run during strong shaking usually causes more injuries than staying put and protecting yourself.
One widespread myth to avoid is standing in a doorway. In modern buildings a doorway is no safer than anywhere else and leaves you exposed to swinging doors and falling items. Getting under a solid table or desk is a far better choice.
If you are driving
If you are driving when a quake hits, slow down and pull over to a clear, safe spot as soon as you can, avoiding bridges, overpasses, tunnels, power lines, trees, and buildings that could collapse or drop debris. Stop, set the parking brake, and stay inside the vehicle with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. The car offers useful protection from falling objects.
When the shaking ends, proceed carefully and watch for damaged roads, fallen power lines, and collapsed structures. Do not drive over bridges or through underpasses that may have been weakened, and listen to the radio for emergency information. If a power line has fallen on your car, stay inside and wait for help.
In a shop, office, or crowded place
Indoors in a store or public building, resist the urge to rush for the exits. Doorways and stairwells become dangerous bottlenecks where people are crushed or trampled. Instead, drop and take cover where you are, moving away from windows, shelves, hanging displays, and heavy merchandise that could topple onto you.
In a crowd or at an event, the greatest risk is panic and stampede rather than the shaking itself. Stay as calm as you can, get low, protect your head and neck with your arms, and move away from the crush. Only head for the exits in an orderly way once the shaking has stopped.
Outdoors and on public transport
If you are outside, move to an open area away from buildings, streetlights, power lines, and anything that could fall, then drop down and wait for the shaking to end. The most dangerous place outdoors is right next to a building, where falling glass, bricks, and facade elements cause many injuries.
On a bus, train, or subway, hold on firmly to a rail or seat and stay where you are; the vehicle will usually stop, and its operators are trained for emergencies. Do not force doors open or jump out, especially on a train, where the tracks and power lines are hazards. Follow staff instructions and evacuate calmly only when told it is safe.