Surviving an Earthquake: Safety Tips for Your Home

By Karie Fay

While your chances of being in “the big one” are very slim, if you live on or near a fault line, taking steps to earthquake-proof your home will ease your mind and give you a sense of control. Most are simple things you can do with a few dollars and a little bit of time.

Earthquake Home Inspection

Hire a licensed inspector or structural engineer to inspect your home, especially if it was built before the 1980s, or do it yourself if you have the knowledge.

 

When purchasing earthquake insurance, many companies require the homeowner to have a professional inspection. Some insurance companies offer significant discounts for retrofitting your home to resist earthquake damage. California requires sellers to disclose existing earthquake measuresand deficiencies.

Structural considerations for earthquake proofing include:

• Termites and pests. Termites have two purposes in life: to eat and reproduce. A termite infestation can cause your home substantial structural damage in a matter of several years. Other pests aren’t much better. Carpenter ants, mice and other pests can weaken your framing, chew through wiring, and cause damage that leaves your home more vulnerable in an earthquake. Perform regular pest inspections and take preventative measures to keep your home pest-free.

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  Mold, mildew and rot. Dampness can cause unsightly mold and mildew, which can eventually cause the material on which it grows to rot and crumble. Use vinegar or bleach to remove mold before it becomes a problem, and watch for signs of rot in your home’s wood framing, especially underneath the house if you have a raised foundation. Consult a professional if you find evidence of rot or extensive mold, especially black mold.

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  Rigid gas connections to appliances. Hire a professional to replace these with flexible stainless steel gas connectors. In an earthquake, rigid connections can shear off, leading to dangerous, explosive gas leaks.

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  Plumbing. Have a plumber replace and secure old, rusted or loose water pipes. Both plumbing and gas lines should be supported every 4 feet. Also, check plumbing connections to ensure you have no water leaks. Keeping your house in good repair is an important part of earthquake preparedness.

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  The chimney. Make sure it’s in good condition and, most importantly, secured to the building with galvanized strapping or similar material. Consult a contractor for further information and assistance.

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  The foundation. Look for significant cracks – 1/8-inch wide or greater – or signs of crumbly concrete. If the foundation is poured-concrete (versus concrete blocks or a slab foundation) try tapping on it with a hammer. If you hear a dull thud instead of a sharp ping sound, contact a professional.

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  Anchors. Not only must the foundation be sound, but the house must bolt to the foundation at least once every 6 feet. Most modern houses in earthquake zones already meet these code requirements. A professional inspection will uncover any concerns.

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  Shearing panels. Homes with raised foundations have short cripple walls that rest between the mudsill and the floor joists, creating the crawl space boundaries. These will easily crumble during an earthquake unless reinforced with a minimum of ½- to 5/8-inch plywood. Other areas, such as around double doors and picture windows, also require plywood sheathing for greater rigidity. Consult a contractor for further information and assistance in retrofitting your walls if necessary.

Earthquake-Proofing Your Interior

 

• Locate the gas valve on the gas line entering your home. Keep a wrench nearby so that it can be shut off in the event of an earthquake. Alternatively, purchase an automatic shut-off valve, which reacts to the earth’s trembling and closes the gas line.

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  Label or paint your water shut-off and the electrical shut-off – whether a fuse box or breaker box – to ensure they are easy to locate in the case of a major earthquake.

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  Strap down your water heater if it isn’t secured already. Tall and full of water, it’s apt to tip over during an earthquake. First, place a couple of wood boards between it and a plaster or drywall wall to keep it from banging against the wall. Use plumber’s tape – a metal strapping – or strong nylon at the top and in the middle to loop around the water heater, and nail or screw the ends to nearby studs.

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  Anchor freestanding heaters such as a woodstove. In more severe earthquakes, these can move and have even been known to tip over completely. Drive bolts through the feet into the concrete or other subfloor material.

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  Secure other appliances, such as the stove, refrigerator, freezer and microwave, to ensure they don’t fall or move during an earthquake. Use foot clips and anchor clips to attach to the wall and floor as applicable. Follow product instructions for best results.

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  Bolt down tall furniture, dressers, bookshelves, freestanding cabinetry and other bulky items similarly, or use strapping. Avoid cheap or flimsy materials such as plastic, picture wire, Velcro and L-brackets. According to Kevin Bartholomew, an earthquake loss-prevention professional, you should have a 3 to 1 safety margin. In other words, if the object weighs 100 pounds, you want the anchor system capable of withstanding 300 pounds of pressure.

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  Install childproof latches on the refrigerator and cabinets throughout the home to prevent flying dishes, medicines and sundry supplies. These are cheap and easy to attach.

• Protect breakable items you seldom use, such as your fine china, by inserting sheets of foam between or around the items.

• Line cupboard shelves with nonskid shelf padding to help prevent damage to the contents.

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  Place your television on a low shelf on your entertainment center. Reinforce wall mounts to provide greater stability.

• Secure electronics such as stereos, computers and accessories with braces and fasteners, bungee cords or strapping.

• Move heavy items closer to the floor to give them less distance to fall.

• Store chemicals and hazardous objects in secure locations when possible, away from heat or flame.

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  Brace ceiling fans and light fixtures.

• Secure pictures and other wall hangings. Use safety hooks or whatever works best for you – double-sided sticky tape, Velcro, sticky putty and other products work well with light items.

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  Move beds to interior walls when possible. Avoid putting them in front of windows or underneath any hanging object.

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  Anchor home gym equipment to the floor. Store accessories in a secure location.

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  If your windows contain regular glass, replacing them with tempered or ceramic glass – both of which are stronger and break into small pieces similar to car windshields – is expensive but effective. A cheaper alternative is installing safety film on the windows. A thin sheet of acrylic bonds to the glass, making it harder to break. Consider hiring a professional who knows how to prevent air bubbles under the film.

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  Don’t forget your garage. Look for things that could fall and damage cars or people. Use straps and brackets to secure items on the walls and hanging from the ceiling. Plastic tote containers and netting also come in handy.

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  Secure barbecue grills and propane tanks, whether portable or permanent. Bolt large propane tanks to the concrete pad.

Safety Measures and Preparation

Other earthquake safety measures include writing down emergency numbers, having escape plans and practicing them, and designating someplace as a meeting point.

To say your home is truly earthquake ready, keep a flashlight and a pair of shoes under your bed so if the worst happens at night, you can see and walk safely. Finally, purchase or build a first-aid kit and a stash for an emergency supply. Include potable water, non-perishable foods, a blanket or two and important papers such as birth certificates and insurance papers. Don’t forget to include items for your pets as well. Get the family involved in making this survival kit, and keep it in an area easily accessed by the entire family.