1. Develop an evacuation plan. Create an evacuation plan that includes multiple escape routes and meeting places outside your home. Practice the plan with your family, including pets and livestock. For personalized tips, visit sdge.com/checklist. 

2. Review your emergency plans. Familiarize yourself with emergency plans at your workplace, school or other places where you or your family spend time regularly. 

3. Pack an emergency kit. Assemble a backpack with essential items such as non-perishable foods, bottled water, a first aid kit, flashlight, cash, pet food, manual can opener, medications, an overnight bag with clothes and toiletries and a portable radio with fresh batteries. For more ideas, visit sdge.com/checklist. 

4. Update your contact info. Ensure your contact information with SDG&E is current. Update or confirm your info at MyEnergyCenter.com.  After logging in, select Account and then Notification Settings. 

5. Sign up for alerts. Register for SDG&E power outage alerts. Learn more at sdge.com/notifications or login to MyEnergyCenter.com. Select Account, Notification Settings and then Outages & Gas Leaks.

6. Secure your space: Walk through your home to identify items that could fall when shaken, then secure those items. Move heavy or large items, like potted plants, to the floor or low shelves and away from escape routes. You can also secure your water heater to the wall, install earthquake shut-off valves, install latches on kitchen cabinets and brace electronic items like TVs with straps. For more ideas, visit EarthquakeCountry.org.

 

In the event of an earthquake or other natural disaster:

1. Remember to drop, cover and hold on. Drop down onto your hands and knees, cover your head and neck with your hands and arms and take shelter under a sturdy table or desk, if possible. Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops. If you’re outside, move away from buildings, trees, power lines or under freeway overpasses. If you’re at the beach, move to higher ground.

2. Stay away from downed power lines and trees. Do not touch downed power lines or broken gas lines, and call SDG&E when it’s safe to do so.

3. If you are indoors, do not run outside. This is dangerous as you can easily fall or be injured by falling objects and debris like glass, bricks and other building components.

4. Do not use flames. Use flashlights instead of lanterns, matches or candles.