Check yourself for injuries, then check others. Do not move a seriously injured person unless they are in imminent danger of further injury.

Check gas lines. If you suspect a leak, turn off the gas. Do not attempt to turn the gas back on yourself. Call the gas company to turn it back on. Use flashlights. Do not use matches or candles until you are sure there is no gas leak.

Check for damaged wiring. If you find any, turn off the electricity at the control box.

Stay away from downed power lines even if it appears that the power is off.

Be careful of chimneys and other damaged pieces of buildings. They may have been damaged by the quake and topple in an aftershock.

Turn on a battery powered radio, check for stations broadcasting emergency information.

Do not use telephones or cell phones except in extreme need, fire or serious injury. If phones work at all, there will not be enough telephone capacity to handle all the calls. Leave the lines clear for emergencies.

Check that any phones knocked off the hook are replaced. Off hook phones tie up the telephone system.

Don't drive if you can avoid it. Bridges may be down, streets may not be passable. Try to keep streets clear for emergency vehicles. Cooperate with police and public safety officials.

Clean up any debris that may be hazardous.

Expect aftershocks. They're normally smaller than the main earthquake but can still do damage.

If you're near the coast expect tsunami. These huge earthquake generated waves can be as dangerous as the quake itself. Go to high ground until you get official word that the tsunami hazard is past.