Securing Your Home for Earthquakes and Fires

Earthquakes and fires are two of the most potentially damaging natural disasters that can occur to you and your property. Prepare yourself, and you won’t be caught off guard.

Earthquakes

There are a number of preventive measures you can take to limit an earthquake’s damage to your property. Typically, basic home insurance policies won’t cover earthquake damage, so you should check with your agent to see if you might need additional coverage. Here’s a checklist of ways to prepare your home:

• Secure or bolt items that might fall, like TVs, bookcases, cabinets, and other tall furniture. Make sure you don’t hang anything heavy over areas like your bed or sofa.
• Install latches on cabinets, which will prevent the contents of cabinets from shifting.
• Think “low and closed.” Keep bottled food, glass, china, or anything that might contaminate an area, like pesticides or weed killers, on low, closed shelves.
• Secure your water heater to studs in the wall. Many people don’t realize it, but the water heater is a source of potable water. And if the earthquake is devastating, it may be your only source.
• Make sure your gas appliances are bolted securely. Gas leaks can be a major source of fire following a destructive earthquake.
• Have a structural engineer take a look at your home and evaluate its integrity. You may be surprised by the results. A structural professional can look at your home through a whole new light, evaluating features like porches, decks, and doors to look for any potential risks.
• Call in an expert to take a look at cracks in your ceilings or foundations. If there are signs of defects, you’ll want to know and have them repaired. Also check to make sure your house is bolted to its foundation. If it’s not, it could literally slide right off its foundation during a large earthquake.

Fires

In 2007, fire killed more Americans than all natural disasters combined. An estimated 1.6 million fires destroyed $14.6 billion worth of property. There’s no denying that fire is destructive, but here are a few tips to prevent a fire in your home:

Smoke alarms

Install them! Follow local codes, and then install more. If they’re not already in place, make sure there’s one outside every sleeping area and on every level of your home. Do you sleep with your door closed? Make sure there’s one inside, too.

Fire extinguishers

Have at least one properly charged fire extinguisher in a central location in your home. If you’re unsure how to use them, most fire stations offer training.

Sprinkler systems

It may seem a little overboard, but home sprinkler systems work wonders to detect and control a home fire. Installing a sprinkler system may give you a deep discount on your home insurance, too.

These are just a few suggestions to keep your home safe from natural disasters. Sprinkler systems and calling in experts are two great ideas, but one of the best ways to prepare your family for a natural disaster is to develop a disaster plan and make sure everyone understands completely. Disasters often strike without warning; being prepared is half the battle.