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Guide · GUIDE 12

Protection in earthquakes

Last reviewed on 30.09.2026

During an earthquake, apply Drop, Cover, Hold On: immediately get onto hands and knees, take shelter under a sturdy table, protect head and neck and hold on until the shaking stops. Do not run outside and do not use lifts. Most of the roughly 20–30 quakes per year that people feel in Switzerland are harmless; dangerous are falling objects.

Earthquakes are more frequent in Switzerland than many think, but strong ones are rare. The most exposed regions are Valais, the Basel area, Graubünden and the St. Gallen Rhine valley. In buildings constructed to earthquake-resistant standards, injuries mostly come from falling objects – shelves, cupboards, glass – not from the quake itself. Buildings not constructed to be earthquake-resistant can, however, partially or completely collapse; that is why earthquake-resistant construction is the best preventive measure. Earthquakes cannot be predicted; what counts is reacting correctly in the decisive moment.

Current situation: check the situation dashboard to see whether any warnings are currently in effect for this hazard.

Preventive structural measures

Falling objects are a major hazard – but vulnerable buildings face a greater threat: parts of them or the entire building can collapse. The best preventive measure is therefore earthquake-resistant construction. The SIA structural standards are authoritative; seismic actions are defined in the SIA 261 standard. The cantons (AG, BS, BE, FR, JU, LU, NW, VS) implement earthquake-resistant construction in the building permit procedure and require proof in accordance with SIA 261.

For a new build, renovation or house purchase, it is worth having a structural engineer assess the earthquake safety. According to FOEN, earthquake-resistant construction costs only 0–1 percent of the construction costs for new buildings; retrofitting measures later on are massively more expensive.

Before: secure your home

  1. Anchor heavy shelves, cupboards and the boiler to the wall
  2. Do not hang/place heavy objects above beds and sofas
  3. Place heavy objects on lower shelves, keep escape routes clear
  4. Agree on a family meeting point and an emergency plan
  5. Know where the gas, water and electricity shut-offs are
  6. Keep emergency bag and supplies ready
  7. For a new build, renovation or house purchase, clarify the building's earthquake safety (structural engineer, verification to SIA 261)

During: the rule «Drop, Cover, Hold On»

The principle of Drop, Cover, Hold On is recommended by expert bodies such as FEMA, USGS, the Red Cross and the earthquake drill ShakeOut; Alertswiss describes the same procedure. The reason: in modern building standards, falling and flying objects are the most common cause of injury – protecting head and neck is therefore the most important single measure. A strong quake can make walking impossible, so lying down and holding on is safer than trying to flee.

If the table moves during shaking, move with it. If the furniture slides, keep holding and protect your head.

  1. DROP: immediately onto hands and knees
  2. COVER: under a sturdy table, protect head and neck
  3. HOLD ON: to the furniture until the shaking stops
  4. Do not run outside, do not use lifts
  5. Outdoors: keep distance from buildings, walls and power lines
Behaviour by location during the quake
Where you are Correct behaviour
Indoors Drop, cover, hold on under sturdy table; away from windows; stay in building
In bed Stay lying down, protect head with pillow
High-rise / upper floors Stay on the floor, no lifts, don't rush to stairs
In car Stop – away from bridges, masts, trees and power lines; handbrake, stay in car
Outdoors To open area, away from buildings, trees and power lines
In wheelchair Lock wheels and brakes, protect head and neck

Basic principle everywhere: protect head and neck and do not run outside during the quake. In a cinema or stadium, do not rush to exits – drop and cover where you are.

After: after the quake

After the main quake, aftershocks are to be expected – with an aftershock, drop, cover and hold on again. If you smell gas, do not light a flame and do not flip switches.

  1. Check for injuries and provide first aid; wear sturdy shoes against broken glass
  2. Check gas, water and electricity, shut off if damaged or if there is a gas smell
  3. Get information via battery radio and Alertswiss; be prepared for aftershocks
  4. Leave damaged buildings and do not re-enter them
  5. Keep the phone network free for emergency calls, report by SMS
  6. Only rescue buried people if it can be done without danger

What do I do if I'm trapped or buried?

If you remain trapped after a collapse, staying calm is above all important: conserve energy and breath. Protect mouth and nose with cloth against dust and do not stir up dust. Do not shout – that uses energy and causes you to inhale dust.

Make tapping signals on a pipe or wall at intervals with an object; rescue workers locate tapping reliably. A whistle is better than shouting, and try to send an SMS. Do not dislodge anything supporting the structure. Shouting is a last resort only if rescuers are within earshot.

The often-cited 72 hours are an operational rescue rule-of-thumb (the first 48–72 hours are considered the most critical window) – not a law of nature. Survivors are found after that too. These 72 hours should not be confused with the 72-hour self-sufficiency supplies.

Note on crush syndrome (medical note, does not replace medical advice): if a body part is trapped for a long time (about an hour or more), muscle tissue can break down (rhabdomyolysis). Sudden release then flushes potassium and myoglobin into the circulation and can cause life-threatening heart rhythm, kidney and circulation disorders. Lay people should therefore NOT free a person trapped for a long time, but call the medical emergency number 144 – rescue personnel will take necessary medical precautions.

Debunked myths

  1. «Triangle of Life» (lying beside rather than under furniture): explicitly discredited by USGS and rejected by FEMA and the Red Cross. It is based on a pancake-type collapse in Turkey and cannot be applied to modern buildings.
  2. Doorframe as protection: outdated. Modern doorframes are not more stable than the rest of the building, a swinging door can injure and the frame does not protect against falling objects.
  3. Running outside or taking the lift during the quake: dangerous – façade parts and glass fall, lifts can jam.

What equipment do I need for an earthquake?

Much is fastening rather than equipment – the best earthquake protection in the home is secured furniture.

  1. Furniture brackets, straps and safety chains for shelves, cupboards, boiler
  2. Sturdy shoes and gloves within reach beside the bed (broken glass!)
  3. Head torch and whistle at the bed (to draw attention)
  4. Dust mask (FFP) against dust in case of collapse
  5. Emergency bag with water, food, first-aid kit and power bank
  6. Tool to close the main gas/water valve

Common mistakes

  1. Run outside during the quake (danger from falling façades/glass)
  2. Use the lift
  3. Stand in a doorframe instead of under a sturdy table (outdated in modern buildings)
  4. Improperly free a person trapped for a long time (crush syndrome) instead of calling 144
  5. Never secure heavy furniture and the boiler
  6. Never check the building's earthquake safety during a renovation or house purchase – buildings not constructed to be earthquake-resistant are at risk of collapse
  7. Re-enter damaged buildings despite the aftershock risk

Frequently asked questions

Is Switzerland actually at risk of earthquakes?

Yes, possible everywhere. According to SED, risk is higher especially in Valais (highest), Basel region, Graubünden, St. Gallen Rhine valley. Strongest historical quake: Basel 1356.

What do I do immediately after the quake?

Expect aftershocks, check for injuries, carefully leave damaged buildings, avoid lifts, get information via Alertswiss/radio.

Can buildings in Switzerland collapse in an earthquake?

Yes, buildings not constructed to be earthquake-resistant are at risk of collapse. The best prevention is earthquake-resistant construction according to the SIA structural standards (seismic actions: SIA 261), which the cantons implement in the building permit procedure. For new buildings it costs, according to FOEN, only 0–1 percent of the construction costs.

Should I stand in a doorframe?

No, that is outdated. Modern doorframes are not more stable than the rest of the building, a swinging door can injure and does not protect against falling objects. Better: drop and cover under a sturdy table. The «Triangle of Life» method is also refuted by USGS.

What should I do if I am trapped?

Stay calm, conserve energy, protect mouth and nose from dust with cloth and make tapping signals at intervals on pipe or wall – rescue workers locate tapping. Do not shout. A whistle is better than shouting and try to send an SMS. A person trapped for a long time should not be freed hastily because of crush syndrome – call 144 instead.

Official sources