Los Angeles homeowners are not new to earthquakes. They have been living with seismic risk for a long time as the region lies along the lines of the Pacific Ring of Fire, the area where tectonic plates keep shifting. You cannot prevent earthquakes, but you can take practical steps to ensure your home is safe. Preparing your home for an earthquake reduces the risk of injury. So, what steps can you take? Well, here are some practical ones to try.
Steps you can take to prepare your home for an earthquake in LA
Understand all the risks and building codes
Los Angeles is located near several major fault lines, like the San Andreas Fault. It means earthquakes of various magnitudes keep happening here. So, your first step is to understand the seismic risk of your location. This will help you build homes according to the building codes of your home. For instance, you can work with a roofing company los angeles to build a sturdy roof with the ability to withstand earthquakes. It is important because roofs are the backbone of the house, keeping you and the house from many elements. Knowing the codes and zones helps with creating a solid foundation.
Foundation and Structural Reinforcements
The foundation of your home is its first line of defense. During an earthquake, a solid foundation helps you be safe. The homes built before 1980 might not have modern seismic codes. But you reinforce the foundation and the structure to increase its stability during an earthquake.
Key updates include:
Securing the house’s frame to the foundation using steel bolts. This prevents it from shifting or sliding during tremors.
Add shear walls or cross-brace them to the frame of your house, preventing the walls from collapsing or buckling during earthquakes.
Secure heavy items and appliances
After you get a warning about an earthquake coming, ensure you secure all the heavy furniture and appliances. If you don’t, it will increase the risk of unsecured objects toppling, causing injury, or blocking your route. So, use furniture brackets or straps to anchor cabinets, large furniture pieces, and cabinets to the walls. Any heavy item in your home should be shifted to lower shelves to avoid them falling on you. Also, anchor appliances like televisions, water heaters, and refrigerators to ensure they do not tip over.
Protect your windows
They are a vulnerable part of a home, especially when an earthquake strikes. Due to shaking, the glass windows can break and shatter to the ground, leading to potential injuries. However, you can follow a few steps to protect the windows, like using shatterproof glass and renovating the older ones. Use tempered or laminated glass, which is better resistant to breaking. You can also apply a protective film to your existing window. It helps prevent glass from shattering and holding it in place during an earthquake.
Make your garage earthquake-proof
Your garage is also a flight risk during an earthquake. Shelves, cars, and any other items here will pose a risk during an earthquake. So, anchor the heavy storage units to the walls. It will prevent them from toppling. Give your garage door a seismic update to ensure it works properly after the earthquake.
Have an emergency plan
It is necessary to be prepared for anything. That is why having a comprehensive emergency plan ensures all your family members will know what to do during or after an earthquake. The plan should include designating a safe spot, like lying under furniture or against the walls. Having an escape route ready is also important. Ensure you have an emergency kit with food, documents, first aid, batteries, and flashlights.
Be informed and educated
It is necessary that you stay aware of any seismic activity happening in your area. Also, start preparing for the earthquake for a long time. Since you live in an earthquake-prone area, it is necessary that you check for updates regularly or take a course regarding preparedness for the same. The LAFD, or Los Angeles Fire Department, offers many resources and tips for preparing for earthquakes.
Conclusion
Earthquakes are a natural disaster; the warning comes pretty on the spot, so you can only do so much at the time. However, you can take proactive steps as LA homeowners to ensure you protect your home and family from this. For instance, reinforcing your foundation, ensuring heavy furniture and appliances are secured, and following other steps can surely help you minimize the risk of any damage happening due to an earthquake.
