Preparing your Home for an Earthquake If you live in California, the odds are that you are going to experience an earthquake in the very near future. This state straddles a major fault line in the earth’s crust where two tectonic plates are grinding against each other. As these plates grind and shift millimeters are a time, they trigger seismic activity in the area and cause quakes. Most people in California will not even feel the majority of these quakes, of which there are hundreds every year. These micro- quakes are not something that is really concerning, due to their minimal ability to do any kind of damage. That being said, more serious earthquakes can and will happen in between these more harmless ones. When a larger earthquake hits, it can cause homes to shake and the ground to tremble. These times can be scary to go through, but there are things that you can do in your home to prepare for the experience and make it better for everyone involved. The number one priority when it comes to dealing with these scenarios is securing the safety of loved ones who are living in the house. Earthquakes are a dangerous situation that is a reality in California, but there are always things which can be done in order to make these situations better.
Earthquake code To begin with, make sure that your home is up to the highest standards of earthquake code. California mandates such measures in most places, but there are always improvements which can be made. Check to make sure that foundations and structure of the home are up to code and that they are going to be able to handle the forces of an earthquake. Some simple research can assist you in finding out whether everything is up to code or not. The next thing that you can do is go through your home and make sure that heavy objects which could be toppled are secured to walls and ceilings. For example, it is a very idea to make sure that things like bookcases and entertainment centers are securely fastened to walls very tightly, so that they will not tip over during an earthquake and cause injury. The same thing should be done for things like chandeliers or any free hanging decorations you might have. Making sure that heavy furnishings cannot tip over will prevent the majority of accidents from occurring when a quake does hit your home.
Protecting your family from a disaster Be sure to instruct your family on what to do when they start to feel the earth shaking. During these moments, there is not a lot of time to react and every second is precious. Teel them what to do when there is shaking, as well as where to go and what their responsibilities are. Doing this and establishing a chain of command for the home will allow people in it to react the best that they can for an emergency. All in all, the measures you take ahead of time are going to have a direct effect on the outcome of the scenario. Preparation is very much a worthwhile investment. In case of fire damage, water damage, storm damage, or property damage in general don’t hesitate to call Belfor