Whether or not you live in an earthquake-prone area, it’s so important to be prepared should the worst happen.
You may not give much thought to earthquakes—and the damage they can do when they hit—if you’re not living in a quake-prone area, like California. However, every homeowner around the country should know the basics when it comes to prepping their homes for this often-dangerous disturbance. Here’s how to make sure your home can withstand a tectonic shift.
Related: How to Prepare for a Medical Emergency
Prepare for fire.
If you live in an area that sees frequent seismic activity, you may already be aware that fires are the biggest risk after an earthquake—which is why Soraya Sutherlin, MPA, CEM, and JUDY Emergency Management Director, says the best thing you can do to protect your home is to make sure you know where the gas shutoff is on your property (or consider having an automatic shut-off valve installed). “Also, have a working fire extinguisher on each floor of your home and in the kitchen,” she says.
Secure fragile and dangerous items.
California native Bonnie Heatzig of The Luxury Real Estate Authority says that homeowners should position beds away from windows that could crack or shatter and remove anything hanging over pillowcases. “Make sure furniture like dressers and bookshelves are attached to the wall, so they don’t tip,” she says. In the kitchen, consider “inverted babyproofing,” which involves locking upper kitchen cabinets to prevent contents from falling out during a tectonic shift. “This is easy to do yourself and, while it might take a little extra effort to open your cabinets, it may be worth it to keep expensive glassware and heirloom china safe,” she says. In fact, anything over four-feet tall should be secured to your wall—and that includes your refrigerator. As for other precious items, like picture frames? “Ensure that hallway picture frames are secured to the wall with earthquake putty to prevent them from falling during the shaking,” adds Sutherlin.