As you can read about in this recent earthquake article in the LA Times, upgrading your home to better withstand an earthquake is voted not-a-waste-of-time by prominent seismologists. Because it’s impossible to know when an earthquake is going to strike and the best we can really do is guess, it’s our only option, really.

Even if you personally come through an earthquake alive and unscathed, chances are that your life will still be impacted. Chances are that your home will probably take a hit.

That’s why it’s important to look into getting your home inspected for earthquake safety, and then bolted and braced as needed, to be ready for an earthquake. This is what upgrading involves…

• Securing a house to its foundation with retrofit anchor bolts will help prevent it from slipping off during an earthquake.
• Checking that the anchor bolts are big enough, spaced frequently enough and well-placed for maximum security could mean the difference between having and not having a home to go back to after an earthquake.
• Adding foundation plates, which are like metal claws, will help secure the wood to the concrete in places where there’s no room for anchor bolts.
• Fortifying wooden “cripple walls” in your crawlspace with sheets of plywood will help your house stay standing.

Applying some seismic retrofitting procedures to your home is a form of earthquake insurance, so it’s wise to consider your options.

Of course, no home can be completely earthquake proof at this point in time. So it’s important to remember to plan for the worst and hope for the best—by preparing an earthquake survival kit and plan, and taking other measures to protect your household and loved ones as well.

-Content created by Sophie Wooding – Writer, gardener, cyclist and emergency preparedness enthusiast!