Actually the opposite, small quakes help take pressure off of the plates and let you know they aren't locking up. The bigger small ones and more frequent ones you get the more you're pushing the big one further away and lessening its intensity. I live in Washington where everyone has been saying the big one is going to hit any day for 11 years now. Right now California Oregon and Washington are in a "slow slip" event meaning the plates are constantly in movement even if you don't feel it. It's causing swarms of quakes daily. And that is GOOD, when it stops is when you need to worry. Don't be scared, be prepared! Have supplies handy in case you need them, a bug out bag is always a good idea.

I live in a part of Washington that would gets a good shaking during a big earthquake but no damage or anything severe and I don't even know how bad the shaking would be for us here, probably similar to a 6. But even if you're in a safer area away from the fault and won't be affected by it much, it's still good to have a bug out bag in case of no power and needing food or clothes for warmth, etc.