Preventative Methods To Avoid Earthquake Damage

| Friday, January 4, 2019
By Patricia Stone


Earthquakes are the most unpredictable natural disasters that lead to huge losses. Homeowners and businesses lose investments worth billions of dollars when earthquakes occur. Besides losing investments, earthquakes leave people injured and in some cases, quakes can be fatal. Most people suffer losses when earthquakes occur due to unpreparedness. Preparations can save businesses and homeowners huge losses. Below are tips to prevent earthquake damage when quakes occur unexpectedly.

Knowing the number of quakes experienced in your region is very important. You are able to determine if the area is at high risk of earthquakes. Use online sources designed to determine the frequency of quakes in specific regions. Once you have determined the frequency of quakes in the area, find out if there are seismic hazards experienced. Seismic hazards include; tsunamis experienced in areas near oceans, landslides in areas surrounded by steep hills or defective structures which fall when the ground shakes.

Consider retrofitting your house to avoid damages experienced when buildings collapse due to tremor. Retrofitting involves bolting houses to the ground's foundation and building beams for support. In addition to retrofitting, secure furniture against the wall. This technique prevents furniture from falling when the earth shakes. Make sure to reinforce structures within your premise to prevent injuries.

Doors will keep opening when the ground shakes. This may result in the loss of important content like files if cabinet doors are not reinforced. Built latches on the cabinet and closet doors to prevent loss of important documents. It is also important to secure kitchen appliances to prevent damages. Kitchen appliances should be secured against the wall to prevent them from shaking or falling over.

Create a plan on how to survive during earthquakes. When creating a plan consider what you will eat, what to wear, risks you might experience and what you should do in the event of an accident. Take these factors into consideration to ensure you choose supplies that will last you and your family at least one week. Some of the supplies you should consider buying include; first aid kit, nonperishable foods, blankets, lantern, batteries and personal items such as toiletries and medication.

During an earthquake, you are likely to get injured due to falling furniture and debris. However, you can avoid injuries and damage if you take caution immediately you feel the ground shaking. Avoid windows, the kitchen, and garage. These places are dangerous because of overhead items which are likely to fall when the earth shakes.

When the ground shakes, it is advisable to drop down on your knees while holding the floor with your hands to protect vital organs. Cover the head and neck with your hands to protect yourself from falling furniture. To avoid injuries, crawl under a table or desk. If you do not have one crawl against the wall, but not next to windows which may fall.

After the earthquake, you will feel the ground shaking because aftershocks last for sometime after the main incident. Spend some time in the safe spot to ensure safety. Once the shaking has decreased perform a thorough inspection to ensure gas pipes are in place and electrical elements are in good order. In case gas pipes, electrical wiring and plumbing components are damaged call a repair contractor immediately.




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