Daily Life
Earthquake Preparedness in China: A Guide for Foreign Residents
A practical earthquake plan for foreigners in China, including home safety, alerts, family communication, emergency supplies, workplace planning, and post-quake checks.
Rules and procedures can change. Check the linked official sources before acting on time-sensitive information.
Quick answer
What you need to know
Learn the local hazard, secure the home, build a small supply kit, agree on family communication, and follow official instructions during and after shaking.
- Learn building exits, safe interior positions, utility controls, and the community assembly plan before an emergency.
- Keep shoes, lights, water, medicines, copies of documents, and power banks accessible.
- During shaking, protect your head and neck and avoid elevators and falling hazards.
- Afterward, expect aftershocks, check injuries and hazards, and rely on official local information.
Earthquake risk is not uniform across China, but a simple plan helps anywhere shaking may occur. Foreign residents should combine general safety practice with the instructions of their city, building, school, and employer.
Learn the building before an emergency
Identify stairs, exits, fire equipment, outdoor falling-object zones, and the community assembly area. Ask property management about the building emergency plan, utility shutoffs, backup power, and how notices are issued. Do not block corridors or fire doors.
Inside, move heavy or breakable items away from beds and desks. Secure tall furniture and appliances in a way approved by the owner or property manager. Know which sturdy interior positions reduce exposure to windows and falling objects.
Build a household communication plan
Choose one nearby meeting point and one farther away. Select an out-of-area contact who can receive brief status messages. Give schools and caregivers current phone numbers and authorized pickup information; the emergency guardian guide helps families prepare that record.
Keep emergency contacts in English and Chinese on paper as well as phones. Include property management, employer, school, insurer, consulate, and trusted neighbors.
Keep practical supplies accessible
Store water, food, essential prescription medicines, first-aid materials, flashlights, batteries, power banks, radio if useful, masks, hygiene items, cash, gloves, whistle, and copies of essential documents. Add infant, disability, elder, or pet supplies where relevant. Rotate dated items and do not store the only kit behind a likely blocked exit.
Review the broader home fire and emergency guide so equipment and evacuation plans work together.
During and after shaking
Follow official guidance. Protect the head and neck, stay away from glass and unstable objects, and do not use elevators. If outdoors, move away from facades, signs, wires, and other falling hazards when it is safe to do so.
After shaking stops, expect aftershocks. Check injuries, fire, gas odor, electrical damage, water leaks, and unsafe debris without taking unnecessary risks. Do not operate switches or flames if gas may be present. Leave damaged areas when instructed and do not re-enter until the responsible authority says it is safe.
Earthquake readiness checklist
- Learn local hazards, alerts, exits, stairs, and assembly points.
- Secure tall furniture and move heavy items away from sleeping areas.
- Prepare household, workplace, school, disability, and pet plans.
- Store a small accessible kit and rotate medicines, food, and batteries.
- Save bilingual emergency contacts offline.
- Practice two meeting points and an out-of-area check-in method.
- Know how to report fire, injury, gas, and structural damage.
- Follow official instructions about evacuation and re-entry.
Official reference points
- China Earthquake Administration
- Local emergency-management, earthquake, weather, and municipal authorities
For emergencies in China, common numbers include 119 for fire and rescue, 120 for medical emergencies, and 110 for police. Availability and language support can vary. Follow current local authority instructions and seek qualified help for building, utility, or medical concerns.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions
Should I run outside during an earthquake?
Running during strong shaking can expose you to glass, falling objects, stairs, and crowds. Follow authoritative local guidance and your building's emergency plan; generally protect yourself from nearby hazards until the shaking stops.
What belongs in a small earthquake kit?
Useful basics can include water, ready-to-eat food, essential medicines, first-aid supplies, lights, batteries, power banks, a whistle, masks, cash, sturdy shoes, hygiene items, and protected copies of key contacts and documents. Adapt it to household needs.
How should families communicate if mobile networks are busy?
Choose an out-of-area contact, two meeting points, and a short check-in message. Save school, employer, property-management, consular, and emergency contacts offline.
When is a building safe to re-enter?
Do not make that judgment from appearance alone. Follow instructions from emergency services, local authorities, property management, or qualified inspectors, especially when there is structural, gas, electrical, or fire damage.
