How to Earthquake Proof a Home
If you live in an area where earthquakes are common, you should do as much as possible to earthquake proof your home. The best question to ask yourself when earthquake proofing your home is what would happen if something in your home fell.
- Have your home's exterior and foundation inspected to determine if your home's structure could withstand an earthquake. If any of the house needs reinforcing, contact a contractor to perform the work. Particularly dangerous areas include your foundation and chimney. These areas tend to be most vulnerable to earthquake damage.
- Add wall brackets behind tall furniture and use them to secure the furniture to the wall. Tall furniture can topple during an earthquake, but bracing it with brackets can keep it from falling over.
- Place televisions, stereos and computers on sturdy furniture. Make sure these types of items are stored away from the edge.
- Store heavier items on the bottoms of all closets, cabinets and cupboards. If you store heavy items above waist-level, these objects can fall during an earthquake and do significant damage.
- Install cabinet and drawer locks on all of your cabinets and drawers. Although typically used to childproof a home, these types of locks keep doors and drawers from flinging open during an earthquake.
- Keep beds, couches and chairs away from windows. During an earthquake, the glass from windows as well as flying debris coming through the windows can cause a great deal of damage and injure anyone sitting or lying near the window.