Check for hazards inside your home. There are a number of specific hazards in your home that you can deal with before an earthquake occurs. Once they are properly secured, they become less of a hazard to you, your family, and your pets.

Evaluate your electrical wiring, electrical appliances, and gas connections. Do any repairs if needed. During an earthquake, faulty fittings and wiring can become a potential fire hazard. When securing appliances, be sure not to drill holes in them - use existing holes, or make loops from leather, etc., that can be glued onto an appliance.

Fix flammables. Fires after an earthquake can cause as much, if not more, damage than the earthquake. It is important to minimize the risk of fire.

Look around your house. The house exterior should also be checked for weaknesses during an earthquake.

Identify safe places both indoors and outdoors. Examples include: under sturdy furniture, against an inside wall (where the other side is not exposed to the outdoors), away from mirrors or windows, or in the open away from buildings and trees. If you don't need them anymore, you can throw them away.

Educate yourself and those in your family about what your family should do in the event of an earthquake. Decide in advance on the best place to go during an earthquake and what they can do if you are incapacitated. Children should know how and when to call emergency services and someone besides yourself should be able to shut off your dwelling's gas, water, and electricity. Create an emergency communication plan that is known by every member of the family. Determine a central meeting place, in case you are separated before or during an earthquake.

Prepare disaster supplies in advance. The following items are important to have readily available in your home, situated in a central location:

a.) Flashlight with extra batteries (preferably one for each individual).
b.) Portable, battery-operated radio with extra batteries.
c.) Purchase and use "self powered radios" and "self powered flashlights". Batteries will be hard to find, if you can find them. Some models will charge cell phones, but the cell phone towers may be damaged, even destroyed.
d.) Purchase and use "glow sticks". These are safer than candles, since you will be dealing with ruptured gas lines, flammable, explosive gas.
e.) First aid kit and manual.
f.) Emergency food and water (some sources say you should have up to 2 weeks worth of extra food on hand in case rescue workers cannot reach your location).
g.) Nonelectric can opener.
h.) Essential medicines.
i.) Cash and credit cards.
j.) Sturdy shoes for each family member.

Help your community to prepare. It can be as simple as printing this article and circulating it, or more elaborate like creating community meeting places and central food stores. Most schools and some workplaces in earthquake prone areas will practice regular drills and you might be able to offer your volunteer services to help carry out the drills.