First, figure out what kind of building you’re in during an earthquake: if it meets seismic safety standards, stay right where you are; if it’s an old structure prone to collapse, head outside right away.

30. First, figure out what kind of building you’re in during an earthquake: if it meets seismic safety standards, stay right where you are; if it’s an old structure prone to collapse, head outside right away.

Cost: No cost at all. Just take a moment beforehand to see how many steps it takes to reach the exit, which route to take, and which tables are sturdy enough to hide under.

In plain terms: First, determine what kind of building you’re in. For structures built after 2001 that meet seismic codes, you’ll need to go down stairs or through a hallway to exit — so stay put: protect your head and neck, crawl under a solid table, and hold onto its legs tightly. In single-story homes, older brick buildings, or makeshift houses without seismic protection, the exit is just a few steps away — so leave immediately. Under no circumstances should you jump from heights, use elevators, or try to run down stairs while the ground is shaking.

Benefit: The China Earthquake Administration’s educational video “Earthquake: Hide or Run?” promotes the rule “Take shelter nearby during the quake, then evacuate quickly afterward,” but explicitly limits this advice to “buildings that meet seismic safety standards.” The reasoning is that such structures “are far less likely to collapse entirely.” The video also notes that “falling building components and decorative items” pose the greatest threat to life safety, while “running around without any protection during a quake” increases the risk of being struck by falling ceilings, chandeliers, or other objects. Recommended actions include “using hands or soft objects to shield the head and neck” and “gripping table legs tightly”; if no table is available, “crouch close to load-bearing walls and stay away from exterior walls, windows, and balconies.” For those outdoors, the advice is “immediately move to an open area away from hazards.” Conversely, during the 1988 Armenian earthquake, Soviet-era prefabricated panel buildings collapsed en masse. A case-control study conducted after that disaster concluded that “leaving a building right after the first tremor is a protective behavior.” People who remained indoors were 4.40 times more likely to sustain injuries than those who evacuated (95% CI 2.24–8.71). The odds of injury indoors were 12.20 times higher than outdoors (3.62–63.79), and in buildings five stories or taller, this risk rose to 3.65 times that of lower structures (2.12–6.33).

Evidence grade: B

Sources: China Earthquake Administration (produced by Anhui Provincial Seismological Bureau). When an earthquake comes, should you hide or run? (Popular science video, subtitled transcription). <https://www.cea.gov.cn/cea/dzpd/dzcs/5537260/index.html>; Armenian HK, Noji EK, Oganesian AP (1992). A case-control study of injuries arising from the earthquake in Armenia, 1988. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 70(2), 251-257. Mahue-Giangreco M, Mack W, Seligson H, Bourque LB (2001). Risk factors associated with moderate and serious injuries attributable to the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. Annals of Epidemiology, 11(5), 347-357. <https://doi.org/10.1016/s1047-2797(01)00220-4>

Notes: This topic remains debated, as the two main conclusions apply to distinctly different types of buildings. The China Earthquake Administration itself stipulates that “taking shelter” is only advisable “in buildings that meet seismic safety standards,” and also emphasizes that decisions must be “tailored to local conditions and individual circumstances” — meaning you must consider both the building’s structural integrity and your own physical ability to move. In Armenia, entire buildings collapsed, leaving no safe spot to hide, so evacuation was the only viable option. The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency advises residents to “drop to the ground, protect the head and neck, hold on tight, and avoid running outside” — where injuries are primarily caused by falling debris and falls during tremors. Research from the Northridge earthquake further shows that reaching for objects or gripping seemingly stable items can actually increase injury risk. Ultimately, the key question isn’t “should I run or stay?” but rather “is this building likely to collapse, and can I reach open ground within seconds?” For buildings constructed after 2001 that require navigating stairs or hallways to exit, staying put is the safest choice. For single-story homes, older brick buildings, and makeshift houses without seismic protection, the exit is just a few steps away — so leave immediately. It’s worth noting that the Armenian study only compared injured and uninjured survivors, excluded fatalities, and didn’t account for differences in building height; since those able to escape were more likely to live on lower floors, these figures should be interpreted with some caution. Under no circumstances should you jump from heights, use elevators, or attempt to run down stairs during tremors. Once outside, stay far away from tall structures, overpasses, utility poles, glass facades, and billboards.