How to Earthquake Proof Your House

Damage from earthquakes can be expensive and one of the most expensive mistakes one can make is to decide not to earthquake-proof their home if they live in a high-risk area. According to the Red Cross, the number one cause of death in an earthquake situation is flying glass. Aside from protection from glass, a couple other very important steps to take when preparing your home from damage when an earthquake strikes is making sure everything in your house is secure, as well as your house itself. Follow these instructions to earthquake proof your home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Nylon furniture straps
• Furniture-securing straps
• Angle brackets
• Bolts
• Metal screws
• Pronged zee clips
• Protective films/polyester coatings for windows
• Earthquake putty
• Anchor bolts

Earthquake Proofing Large Items

1. Secure large items, such as armoires, cabinets, grandfather clocks, and hutch furniture to the studs in the walls by using nylon-strapping and/or furniture-securing kits available in home improvement stores.

2. Secure refrigerators to the walls and the floor by using angle clips that are attached to the top of the refrigerator and bolted to the wall. Secure the refrigerator to the floor by anchoring the legs with pronged zee clips.

3. Secure a stove and freezer to the walls and floors by using the same method as described in Step 2.

Earthquake Proofing Glass, Miscellaneous Objects, and Home Foundations

4. Take steps to protect yourself from potential flying glass windows in your home by either covering each one of them with a polyester window covering that can be purchased at local hardware or home improvement stores or having a professional install the coverings.

5. Move large and breakable miscellaneous objects, such as vases, China, and decorative bowls to the lower areas of their shelves or storage units. This will prevent them from being large, projectile objects in an earthquake situation.

6. Secure other, smaller miscellaneous objects to shelves and storage units by placing earthquake putty on the bottom surfaces of the objects.

7. Secure computers and other electronic equipment by placing nylon furniture straps or bungee cords that can be bolted to surfaces such as computer tables and walls.

8. Bolt your home to it's foundation by using anchor bolts, which are fastened to the sill plate approximately every four to six feet. If you're not comfortable doing this yourself, call a professional to get this step done before the next earthquake occcurs.

Resources

• Securing Tall Furniture
• Earthquake Proofing Computers and Electronics
• Instructions for Securing Refrigerator