Earthquake Safety for Babies and Toddlers: Complete Parent's Guide 2025

At 4:31 AM on January 17, 1994, the Northridge earthquake struck. Jennifer, a new mother, was jolted awake by violent shaking. Her first instinct was to run to her 6-month-old daughter's nursery down the hall. As she jumped out of bed, the dresser beside her toppled forward—right where she would have been standing if she'd left the bed one second earlier. Pictures flew off walls. Shelves crashed down. Glass shattered.

She made it to the nursery to find her baby screaming but unhurt. The crib had migrated 18 inches across the floor from the shaking, but remained upright. A heavy bookshelf next to the crib had tipped over, missing the crib by inches. If the bookshelf had fallen the other direction—toward the crib instead of away—her daughter could have been crushed.

Jennifer's terror in that moment—navigating a dark, chaotic house while desperate to reach her helpless infant—is something no parent should experience without preparation. Her daughter's narrow escape from the falling bookshelf was pure luck. And the realization that her instinct to run to the nursery during shaking could have gotten them both killed haunted her for months.

She learned crucial lessons that night: secure everything in the nursery before an earthquake happens, never try to navigate a shaking house, have the baby in your room at night if possible, and most importantly—have a plan because instinct alone isn't enough when you're responsible for a tiny human who can't protect themselves.

This comprehensive guide covers earthquake safety specifically for parents of babies (0-12 months) and toddlers (1-3 years), including baby-proofing nurseries against earthquake hazards, securing cribs and changing tables, protecting infants during shaking when you can't reach them, evacuating with babies and toddlers, creating infant-specific emergency kits with formula/diapers/medications, car seat safety during and after earthquakes, daycare emergency procedures and reunification, special considerations for breastfeeding mothers, handling scared toddlers during aftershocks, and the unique challenges of keeping immobile infants safe when they can't drop-cover-hold.

Baby-Proofing the Nursery for Earthquakes

The Nursery Assessment: What Can Kill Your Baby

Stand in the nursery and imagine violent shaking:

• What heavy objects are above or beside the crib?
• What can fall onto the crib?
• What can slide across the floor and hit the crib?
• What can shatter and spray glass?
• What can block exits?

Everything unsecured is a projectile. Everything tall and heavy can topple. Assume the worst will happen.

Securing the Crib

Crib placement—critical decisions:

Safe locations:

• Interior walls away from windows: No falling glass
• Away from tall furniture: At least 3-4 feet from any bookshelf, dresser, or heavy furniture
• No wall-mounted items above: No shelves, mirrors, pictures, or decorations above crib that can fall
• Clear path to door: Can access baby quickly after shaking stops

Dangerous locations (avoid these):

• Under or beside windows (falling glass)
• Next to tall bookshelves or dressers
• Under wall-mounted shelves or decorations
• Near heavy mirrors or artwork

Crib itself:

• Modern cribs are relatively earthquake-safe—low center of gravity, stable base
• Ensure all hardware tight and secure
• Crib will slide across floor during strong shaking but unlikely to tip
• Some parents attach anti-tip furniture straps from crib to wall studs (prevents sliding, but not typically necessary if area around crib is clear)

Inside the crib:

• Firm mattress only (standard safe sleep guidelines)
• No heavy blankets, stuffed animals, or other items that could cover face
• Remove crib mobiles or hanging decorations (can fall on baby)

Securing Furniture and Objects

Anchor ALL tall furniture to wall studs:

Must anchor:

• Bookcases and shelving units
• Dressers (especially with changing table on top)
• Armoires or wardrobes
• Any furniture over 3 feet tall

Anchoring method:

• Furniture straps or L-brackets
• Must attach to wall STUDS (not just drywall—drywall will rip out)
• Use stud finder to locate studs
• 2-4 straps per piece of furniture depending on size
• Test by pulling—should not budge at all
• Cost: $10-30 in materials, 1-2 hours labor

Changing table safety:

• Use changing table with raised sides/guardrails
• Anchor securely to wall if freestanding
• Or use changing pad on anchored dresser top
• Never leave baby unattended on changing table (earthquake or not)
• Keep supplies in drawers, not on shelves above changing area

Remove or secure decorations:

• Wall-mounted items above crib: REMOVE completely or hang with museum quake putty
• Picture frames: Use quake putty or earthquake-resistant hangers, or remove from nursery entirely
• Shelves: Attach to studs with L-brackets, use shelf liner to prevent items from sliding off
• Lamps: Bolt base to furniture with museum putty, or use recessed lighting instead

Window Treatment Safety

Windows are major hazard:

• Glass shatters in earthquakes
• Shards spray into room
• Can cause severe injuries

Protection strategies:

• Window film: Clear safety film holds glass together if it breaks ($3-8 per square foot installed)
• Curtains/blinds: Heavy curtains can catch glass shards (but don't rely on this alone)
• Best option: Crib placement away from windows + safety film on glass

What to Do When Earthquake Strikes: With Babies and Toddlers

Scenario 1: Baby in Crib, Parents Elsewhere in Home

What you desperately want to do:

• Run to baby's room immediately

What you must actually do:

1. DROP where you are
2. COVER under table/desk or against interior wall
3. HOLD ON until shaking stops
4. After shaking stops, THEN go to baby quickly but carefully

Why this is so hard but necessary:

• Baby in crib is relatively safe (if you've baby-proofed properly)
• Parent running through shaking house faces falling furniture, breaking glass, collapsing ceiling
• Parent injury or death leaves baby without caregiver
• Shaking typically lasts 15-60 seconds—baby will be scared but likely unhurt
• You can comfort baby immediately after shaking stops

Scenario 2: Holding Baby When Earthquake Strikes

If you're holding or nursing baby:

1. Keep holding baby securely
2. Get down on knees or sit on floor
3. Crawl to safest nearby location:
   • Under sturdy table or desk
   • Against interior wall away from windows
   • In doorway of interior door frame (if nothing better available)
4. Curl over baby protectively
5. Use your body as shield from falling objects
6. Hold on to baby and furniture

Protect baby's head:

• Your arms should cover baby's head
• Your body between baby and potential falling objects
• If baby carrier/sling on, keep baby in carrier

Scenario 3: Toddler Mobile in Room

Challenges with toddlers:

• May panic and run (dangerous during shaking)
• Don't understand "drop, cover, hold on"
• Too heavy to easily grab and shield

Immediate actions:

1. Grab toddler if within arm's reach
2. Get down together
3. Pull toddler under table/desk or into corner
4. Hold toddler against you covering their head
5. If toddler out of reach: Call them to you while you drop and cover (they may freeze or come to you)
6. After shaking stops, grab toddler and exit if needed

After Shaking Stops: Immediate Actions

First priorities:

1. Check yourself for injuries (put on shoes—broken glass everywhere)
2. Go to baby/toddler immediately:
   • Visual inspection for injuries
   • Pick up and comfort
   • Check for bleeding, swelling, breathing difficulty
3. Assess nursery safety:
   • Fallen furniture or objects?
   • Broken glass?
   • Damaged ceiling or walls?
   • Smell gas?
4. Evacuate if necessary:
   • Structural damage visible
   • Gas smell
   • Fire
   • Continuing aftershocks

Evacuating with Babies and Toddlers

Evacuation Priorities

Grab in this order (if time permits):

1. Baby/toddler (obviously)
2. Diaper bag (pre-packed with essentials—discussed below)
3. Car seat (if evacuating in car)
4. Baby carrier/sling (frees your hands)
5. Warm blanket/jacket for baby (may be outside for hours)
6. Nothing else matters—get out

If you must leave immediately (fire, imminent collapse):

• Grab baby only
• Wrap in any available blanket or your shirt
• Exit immediately
• You can get supplies from neighbors/emergency services
• Baby's life > all possessions

Carrying Methods for Evacuation

Best options:

Baby carrier/sling (infant to ~20 lbs):

• Keeps baby secure against your body
• Frees both hands (critical for navigating debris, opening doors, holding railings)
• Keeps baby warm
• Recommended: Keep one baby carrier in nursery for quick access

Wrapped in blanket (newborn to ~15 lbs):

• If no carrier available
• Swaddle firmly and hold against body
• One arm carrying baby, one arm free

Walking toddler (12 months+):

• Toddler can walk but slowly
• Hold hand firmly
• Be prepared to carry if they tire or panic
• Shoes on toddler before evacuating (broken glass)

Stroller consideration:

• Good for longer-distance evacuation if sidewalks passable
• Bad for rubble, stairs, or urgent evacuation
• Carrier/arms usually better choice immediately post-earthquake

Car Evacuation with Infant

Never evacuate in car without proper car seat:

• Aftershocks can occur while driving
• Roads may be damaged (sudden stops needed)
• Other drivers panicking (accident risk high)
• Baby must be in properly installed car seat

Car seat readiness:

• Keep car seat base installed in vehicle always
• Keep carrier (infant seat) in nursery or near front door
• Can grab carrier, click into base, and go in under 60 seconds
• For toddlers: convertible car seat stays in vehicle

Post-earthquake driving hazards:

• Damaged roads, sinkholes, fissures
• Fallen power lines
• Collapsed buildings blocking roads
• Traffic lights not working
• Drive slowly, stay alert, avoid damaged areas

The Infant Emergency Kit: What Babies Need

The 72-Hour Diaper Bag Strategy

Concept:

• Diaper bag that's ALWAYS packed with 72-hour supplies
• Kept near front door or in car
• Grab-and-go in emergency
• Separate from large home emergency kit

Kit Maintenance

Rotation schedule:

• Monthly: Check formula expiration dates, replace if within 3 months of expiration
• Every 3 months: Replace formula entirely (use old formula for daily feeding)
• Every 2-3 months: Update clothing sizes as baby grows
• Every 6 months: Replace medications (even if not expired, for freshness)
• After each use: Immediately restock what you used

Storage location:

• Diaper bag near front door (quick evacuation access)
• Car emergency kit in trunk with additional supplies
• Larger home emergency kit in garage or closet

Daycare and Childcare Emergency Procedures

What Happens at Daycare During Earthquake

Licensed daycare earthquake protocols (varies by jurisdiction):

• Staff trained in drop, cover, hold on with children
• Emergency supplies on-site (food, water, first aid for 72 hours)
• Building evacuation procedures if structural damage
• Parent reunification procedures
• Children will NOT be released to anyone not on authorized pickup list

Questions to Ask Your Daycare

Before enrolling or now if already enrolled:

1. "What is your earthquake emergency plan?"
   • Should have written plan
   • Staff should be trained
   • Regular drills with children
2. "Do you have emergency supplies? Can I see them?"
   • Food and water for each child for 72 hours
   • First aid supplies
   • Diapers and formula for infants
   • Blankets
3. "What is your parent reunification procedure?"
   • How do parents pick up children?
   • What ID/authorization required?
   • How long will you care for children if parents can't get there?
   • Where will children be if building evacuated?
4. "Is the building seismically safe?"
   • When was it built? (Post-1980 much safer)
   • Has it been retrofitted?
   • Are furniture and supplies secured?
5. "How will you communicate with parents after earthquake?"
   • Phone tree?
   • Text messaging?
   • Website updates?
   • Social media?

Parent Responsibilities

Provide to daycare:

• Updated emergency contact list (multiple backup contacts)
• Authorized pickup list (include neighbors, family who could get there if you can't)
• Medical information (allergies, medications, conditions)
• Comfort items (extra pacifier, small lovey that can stay at daycare)

Have realistic expectations:

• After major earthquake, you may not be able to reach daycare for hours
• Roads blocked, traffic gridlock, damage
• Daycare staff will care for your child—they won't abandon them
• You may need backup plan (neighbor who can get there first)

Special Considerations for Babies and Toddlers

Nighttime Earthquake Preparedness

The 3 AM earthquake challenge:

• You're asleep, baby asleep in nursery down hall
• Wake to violent shaking
• Dark, disoriented, terrified
• Instinct screaming to reach baby

Preparation strategies:

Option 1: Baby in parents' room (recommended for infants 0-6 months):

• Bassinet or bedside sleeper in parents' bedroom
• Baby immediately accessible during/after shaking
• Follows safe sleep guidelines (baby in own sleep space)
• Peace of mind for parents
• Position bassinet away from windows, not under wall decorations

Option 2: Baby in nursery:

• Keep flashlight on nightstand (immediate illumination post-earthquake)
• Keep shoes beside bed (broken glass protection)
• Clear path from bedroom to nursery (nothing to trip over)
• Baby monitor so you can hear baby immediately after shaking
• Prepare mentally: "I will protect myself during shaking, then go to baby"

Breastfeeding Considerations

Stress effects on milk supply:

• Extreme stress can temporarily reduce milk production
• May take 24-48 hours for supply to return to normal
• Keep breastfeeding—supply will return
• Drink plenty of water, rest when possible

Emergency formula backup:

• Even exclusively breastfed babies: keep small emergency formula supply
• If mom injured or separated from baby, backup essential
• Ready-to-feed bottles (don't require water or mixing)
• Check expiration every 6 months

Pumping without electricity:

• Manual breast pump in emergency kit
• Doesn't require power
• Can pump and store milk if needed
• Can relieve engorgement if baby not nursing well due to stress

Toddler Emotional Response

How toddlers react to earthquakes:

• Fear and anxiety (they don't understand what's happening)
• Clinginess (won't let parent out of sight)
• Sleep disturbances (nightmares, fear of going to bed)
• Regression (potty-trained toddler may have accidents)
• Acting out (tantrums, aggression)
• All normal reactions to trauma

Helping toddlers cope:

• Stay calm yourself: Toddlers take emotional cues from parents
• Simple explanations: "The ground shook. It scared us. We're safe now."
• Lots of physical comfort: Holding, hugging, reassurance
• Maintain routines: Normal meals, nap times, bedtime routines as much as possible
• Let them talk about it: Toddlers may want to "play earthquake" or talk about it repeatedly
• Don't force bravery: It's okay for them to be scared
• Watch for prolonged issues: If anxiety/fear continues beyond 2-3 weeks, consult pediatrician

Aftershocks with Young Children

The aftershock challenge:

• Aftershocks can continue for days, weeks, or months
• Each one re-traumatizes scared child
• Parents exhausted from comforting frightened toddler repeatedly

Strategies:

• During aftershocks: Drop, cover, hold on—hold child if with you
• After each aftershock: Calm reassurance, "That was just a little shake. We're safe."
• Create "earthquake safe spot": Designated area where you go during shaking (under table, in doorway). Practice going there together. Makes it routine, less scary.
• Comfort objects: Let toddler carry favorite toy/blanket everywhere for a while
• Predictability: "If the ground shakes, we'll go to our safe spot together"

Medical Emergencies with Infants Post-Earthquake

When to Seek Medical Care

Immediate emergency (call 911 or go to ER):

• Baby not breathing or breathing difficulty
• Severe bleeding
• Head injury with loss of consciousness
• Broken bones
• Severe burns
• Choking
• Seizures

Non-emergency but needs attention within 24 hours:

• Minor cuts needing stitches
• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea (dehydration risk)
• High fever (over 100.4°F for infants under 3 months, over 102°F for older babies)
• Signs of infection (wound redness, swelling, pus)
• Pain that doesn't improve

Challenge after major earthquake:

• Hospitals overwhelmed with critical patients
• May wait many hours for non-life-threatening issues
• Some pediatricians may be unreachable
• Have pediatrician's after-hours number in emergency kit

Infant First Aid Essentials for Parents

Skills every parent should know:

• Infant CPR
• Choking response (back blows and chest thrusts)
• Treating minor cuts and scrapes
• Recognizing signs of serious injury

Training resources:

• American Red Cross: Infant/Child CPR classes
• Many hospitals offer free classes for new parents
• Online videos available but in-person training recommended
• Take class before baby born or in first few months
• Refresh training every 2 years

Conclusion: Protecting Your Most Precious Cargo

Jennifer's Northridge experience—the terror of not being able to reach her screaming baby, the near-miss with the falling bookshelf, the realization that her instincts could have gotten them both killed—transformed how she thought about earthquake safety.

She learned that protecting a baby requires different preparation than protecting yourself or older children. Babies can't drop, cover, and hold on. They can't understand instructions. They're completely dependent on you creating a safe environment before disaster strikes and making rational decisions during chaos.

The core principles of infant earthquake safety:

• Prepare the environment before the earthquake: A properly baby-proofed nursery protects your infant even if you can't reach them during shaking
• Protect yourself first during shaking: A living parent can help their baby; a dead parent cannot
• Have supplies ready for evacuation: Pre-packed diaper bag means you can grab baby and go
• Know what to do in each scenario: Baby in crib vs. holding baby vs. toddler mobile require different responses
• Work with childcare providers: Ensure daycare can protect and care for your child until you can get there

Your parental instinct to protect your baby is powerful. Channel that instinct into preparation now, before the ground shakes. Anchor that bookshelf. Pack that emergency kit. Practice the mental scenario. When the earthquake comes—and in seismically active areas, it will come—you'll be ready to keep your baby safe.

For more earthquake preparedness resources, explore our guides on emergency kits, family communication plans, and home protection. Monitor seismic activity on our real-time earthquake map.