When we travel, we often forget to take the same precautions we would at home. But if a natural disaster—like an earthquake—strikes an unfamiliar place, it can make an unexpected situation downright deadly.
Standing under a door frame should NOT be your first instinct in an earthquake. The biggest risk is exposure to flying or falling objects, so standing in a door frame isn’t going to help you.
Instead, think “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” That means getting down low and immediately covering your head.
If possible, go under a sturdy table or desk. Otherwise, get down into a corner and cover your face and head.
Stay AWAY from windows, hanging mirrors, or heavy light fixtures.
If you’re in bed and there are no heavy objects nearby, stay there and cover your head with a pillow.
Ask your hotel ahead of time about its disaster preparedness plan: are there generators and emergency lighting? If it’s near the water, is there a designated safety point at higher ground?
Always travel with the basics, like a flashlight, a small first aid kit, and a laminated copy of your emergency contacts.
For more information, visit our Natural Disasters Archives.
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