Early Earthquake Prevention Measures For Your Home

While earthquakes can't really be predicted, there are steps you can take for preventative measures and what could happen to your home - and your family.

If you have older wiring in your home, or know there's some faulty wiring, now is the time to have it fixed - don't wait. While sometimes it can get expensive fixing all those wires, you're protecting your home from a host of other problems, including a possible fire. This is one preparedness fix you don't want to put off!

Bolt down and secure all appliances such as water heaters, refrigerators, and furnaces. If you have gas appliances, and you don't have an automatic shut off valve already installed, contact your gas company to see if they recommend having one installed. While you're securing these items, don't forget to secure bookshelves, picture frames, and mirrors. If you have any top heavy items, make sure these are braced, and anchor all overhead lighting fixtures.

Purchase "museum putty", a sticky substance that will allow breakables goods to stay place without damaging them, and use this for all breakables and family heirlooms being displayed on upper shelves. Museums really use this product, so you can use it for everything, even Aunt Myrtles fine china dishes you have on display in that china hutch on the corner.

Clear out all clutter from hallways and near doorways so you have an escape path that is not easily blocked.

If you own your home, install flexible pipe fittings to avoid water leaks.

Don't forget to prepare your disaster kit, rotate the perishable items every six months, and make sure all family members know where it's located. If you don't already have a family disaster plan in place, now is the time to get it started!

Did you know you can order printed booklets or download PDF's of several Earthquake related information to help you create a plan? click here for a list of several free resources. Some of these relate to specific areas of the country, from Alaska to Utah.