To study the current situation and influencing factors of public emergency preparedness behavior in China, and to provide countermeasures and suggestions for improving residents’ emergency preparedness level and strengthening the public’s emergency literacy.

From January to February 2020, 1 761 residents aged over 18 years in Guangdong, Heilongjiang and Sichuan provinces of China were surveyed using online survey method. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, emergency preparedness behavior, risk perception, perception of emergency preparedness, attitude, self- efficacy, self-rescue knowledge and emergency experience.

The behavior of participating in emergency training and drill was relatively good (36.57%), followed by the behavior of making an escape plan (31.52%), and the behavior of preparing emergency supplies was the lowest (6.59%). Among them, there were more residents with flashlights (83.82%) and first-aid kits (62.52%) at home. The number of residents with a radio at home (24.59%) was the lowest. Self-efficacy and self-rescue knowledge were the common influencing factors for the public to prepare emergency supplies, to make escape plans and to participate in training and drill. Emergency attitude was an important factor that affected the public to make escape plan and to participate in training and drills.

The general level of the public’s emergency preparedness behavior in China is low, showing problems such as insufficient participation in emergency training and drills, lack of behavior in making escape plans, and inadequate preparation of emergency supplies. It is suggested that the main body of emergency management strengthen the public’s comprehensive emergency publicity and education according to different emergency preparedness behaviors, improve the public’s self-efficacy and emergency knowledge and skills, and enhance the public’s risk prevention attitude.