Earthquake Preparation Tips for 2020
As we wrap up 2019, it’s important to start setting some actionable goals for the New Year — and if you own a home in Los Angeles, earthquake preparation should be at the top of your list.
2019 saw some major shakers in Southern California. We had two earthquakes in the 6-7 magnitude range and hundreds in the 3-4 magnitude. It’s not a matter of if the “Big One” will strike, it’s a matter of when.
Check out Julian Construction’s Earthquake Preparation Tips:
- Know your risk: Some parts of California experience more earthquakes than others. Do some research and find out if you live in an area near an active fault line. You should also investigate your area for seismic hazards such as steep hills that could become landslides, ocean fronts that could experience tsunamis, and outdated or poorly constructed nearby buildings that could be damaged or destroyed from a large earthquake.
- Prepare an emergency kit and a disaster plan: On average, California experiences somewhere around 19 earthquakes a day. Every Californian should have an earthquake kit in their home equipped with enough food, water and medication to last every person and pet in their household for at least three days. The kit should include:
-
-
- Non-perishable food
- Water
- First aid
- Flashlights
- Camping supplies
- Batteries
- Blankets
- And necessary personal items (i.e. medication, clothing, toiletries)
-
You should also have an evacuation and a disaster plan in place. To do this, you’ll want to identify different exits strategies in the home and research safe spaces to meet (like open fields or parks) and different routes to get there.
- Retrofit your home: Most homes in Los Angeles and throughout California need some sort of seismic retrofits or seismic upgrades to withstand a large quake. Especially if you live in a high-risk area, you should take the necessary steps to reinforce and retrofit your property. This can be done by bolting your house to the foundation or installing extra support beams as needed.
Inside your home, earthquake proof your furniture by securing large items like bookshelves and cabinets to the walls. This will cut down the risk of injury and protect your furniture from moving and falling during the intense shaking from an earthquake.
- Know what to do during an earthquake: During an earthquake it’s important to avoid hazards like falling debris and furniture. When a quake occurs, stay away from any and all windows and furniture that could shatter and fall over. You’ll want to avoid all places where objects have been stored overhead, and places like the kitchen and the garage because of the items that have been stored in cabinetry or shelving.
You’ll want to take cover and follow the steps below:
- Drop: Get down on your hands and knees. This will help with your balance and protect your vital organs.
- Cover: Find a secure place to shelter (under a large table or desk) and place your hands on the back of you head and neck. If there isn’t a place to shelter nearby, lean against a wall that’s not near any windows.
- Hold: If you are under a table or other type of shelter, hold on with one hand and cover your head and neck with the other.
- Stay inside: During an earthquake, it’s safer to shelter in place than run outside in the middle of the shaking. You’ll want to stay on your knees and elbows and cover the back of your neck until the shaking ends.
After an earthquake, you’ll want to check your gas lines to make sure there are no leaks. If you do smell gas, do not use an open flame until the gas company has inspected the leak and said it’s safe.
If you think you own a property that’s in need of earthquake retrofitting, contact Julian Construction today.
You can schedule a free inspection with us, where we’ll send over one of our qualified foundation specialists to inspect and analyze the area in order to determine the best way to strengthen and secure the building.
To schedule a free inspection with Julian Construction, click here or call us now at 877-407-3876. A representative will review the information you provide and contact you to schedule your inspection.
