Earthquake Preparedness
October is the month in California, as well as the nation that we focus on earthquake preparedness. The general theme is "are you ready?". Twenty years ago this month, I took a class on Housebuilding/Remodeling at our local community college. This was a text book class with no hands-on building requirements. At the time, I was contemplating an addition to my home and this class provided me with a perfect introduction to local building codes and the challenges an owner-builder, like myself, faced when taking on such a daunting task. I can honestly say that this was a wonderful class and well worth the time. I encourage anyone contemplating a large construction project, room addition or simple remodel of an existing home to seek out a class similar to what I took. You may never pick up a hammer, but at least you will gain enough knowledge to clearly and accurately discuss projects with a contractor you may hire in the future.
Back to the topic of earthquakes: Oct 17th 1989 my class on the subject for Homebuilding that night was "Earthquake Resistance Homes" That was also the night of the Loma Prieta Earthquake that struck the greater Bay Area. Needless to say the class was cancelled that night and rescheduled.
20 years later, I am prepared for an earthquake? Maybe, but my knowledge today vs. 20 years ago is giving me the ability to better prepare myself.
What can you do to prepare your home for an earthquake? Here is a simple list and may save something or someone you love:
•1. Falling objects: look around your home. Do you see objects that might fall? Can you secure them to minimize them from falling? How about pictures over family member's beds?
•2. Falling furniture: China Cabinets definitely come to mind. Can you secure your cabinets and bookcases to a wall with L brackets? TVs are large and heavy items, how can you secure a TV? Look out for free standing shelving units in the home or garage.
•3. Cabinet doors: I have seen dishes, glasses, food products and tools fly out of cabinets. Can you secure the cabinet doors with latches?
•4. Is your home anchored to its foundation. This can be hard to determine. A licensed contractor can determine this for you.
•5. Do you have exposed framed walls in your house, garage, attic, basement or crawl space? The crawl space walls are sometimes referred to as cripple walls. These short wall members are usually the distance between the foundation and the beginning of the floor joist. During the Loma Pierta earthquake this was to biggest single feature on a home to fail. If you have exposed framed walls contact a licensed contractors to explain some options you may have to improve your homes preparedness for earthquakes.
•6. Home preparedness for earthquakes. Building codes are always evolving. Take time to review changes in your local ordanices. On-going changes incorporate the many useful improvements that experts in the industry are finding and discovering. Newer homes have incorporated many of the newer techniques for earthquake preparedness but it never guarantees you that you or your house will be safe.
When another devastating earthquake strikes...and it will, are you prepared? Many Bay Area residents will be left largely without running water, power, medical care, and transportation. Major airports will probably close for several days, radio and television stations will operate at greatly reduced capacity. Telephone services will be impaired. Freeways, overpasses, and bridges will close until they have been inspected. Many planners and officials tell us: "be prepared to make it on your own", depending of the level of severity our emergency response teams may need the help themselves. Many cities have established Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) to help the community in a time of need. If you have an interest in helping your community, contact your local city office or fire department. If the big one hits, we will all need some help.
I hope you find this information helpful. I hope we never have a big quake but if we do, I hope everyone is safe.
Have a great day!
Jim Light
www.interorealestate.com/agents/jameslight
This is essential information...am bookmarking this, and also going to be prepared (as anyone should be who lives on the Pacific Rim's "ring of fire". We are also affected, here.