Earthquake Car Safety: How to Survive a Quake in Your Car

If you’re driving when the shaking starts, do you know what to do?

With the LA Auto Show kicking off tomorrow, we know that there is a great deal of excitement among all of you car enthusiasts. That said, we couldn’t think of a better time to remind our readers about earthquake safety in the car. In the event of an emergency, you might panic. If you are driving a car at the time, you might be even more worried. While everyone already knows the mantra of “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”, the question remains: what do you do if you’re in a car? To allay your concerns about driving when a quake strikes, we have compiled a handy set of tips for your safety as well as a checklist of common emergency kit supplies you should keep in your car. 

Earthquake Car Safety Tips

• If you are driving, pull over as quickly yet carefully as possible.
  • Find a clear area, away from anything overhanging (trees, buildings, overpasses, etc.) that could fall on you.
• Turn your car off, put on the parking break, and wait for the shaking to stop.
  • For your safety, protect your head by covering it with your arms while you wait.
• When the shaking has stopped, continue safely to your destination, avoiding downed power lines, cracks in the road, or debris.
  • Anticipate aftershocks when driving. If there is an aftershock, repeat the above steps by pulling over to a clear area and waiting for the shaking to stop.
• If the earthquake is strong enough to cause a power outage, be aware that traffic lights will not work.
  • Treat any unlit intersection as a four-way stop and drive cautiously.
• If anything should fall on your car, wait for assistance from emergency response professionals.
  • Honk your horn to alert responders to your whereabouts if you think you may not be seen.
• Put your radio on to listen for updates and information from authorities.
  • There may be broadcasts of tsunami warnings or evacuation instructions.

Necessary Items for a Car Emergency Safety Kit

• Water
  • Keep enough for one gallon per person, per day (three days to two weeks’ worth).
• Food
  • Keep non-perishable and easily prepared items (three days to two weeks’ worth). Periodically check expiration dates and replenish as needed.
• Flashlight
  • Keep spare batteries on hand as well.
• Radio
  • Either a battery-powered or hand-crank radio is best.
• Map
  • A paper map can come in handy, should your GPS fail or be rendered unusable.
• Blanket
• Toiletries/Medications
  • Keep toilet tissue, paper towels, moist towelettes, and an extra supply of prescription medication.
• Signals
  • Roadside flares, orange cones, or reflective triangles.
• Multipurpose tool
• Change of clothes
  • Remember socks and a pair of sturdy shoes as well.
• Duct Tape
• First Aid Kit (Recommended by the Red Cross)
  • Bandages
  • Dressings
  • Cloth Tape
  • Antiseptic Wipes
  • Space Blanket
  • Aspirin
  • Cold Compress
  • Thermometer
  • Gauze
  • Tweezers
  • Hydrocortisone Ointment
  • Non-latex Gloves
  • Scissors
  • Instruction Manual