How to Be Prepared for an Earthquake

California has the second highest earthquake count in the nation, according to a 2010-2015 study conducted by USGS. With that in mind, it’s crucial to know how to be prepared for an earthquake and protect your residence with Torrance Earthquake Insurance, as earthquake damages are frequently excluded from the typical homeowners policy. You should always be prepared for an earthquake with these quick tips, courtesy of FEMA, and leave the rest to your insurance company.

Why You Should Prepare for an Earthquake

130 earthquakes over a magnitude 3.0 stuck California in 2015. While that number may sound low, a magnitude 3.0 can be enough to make your house shake, along with all of your belongings in it. Stay safe and vigilant by preparing your home for any sort of natural disaster. Many might not think that purchasing insurance can be helpful, but it can be. If you live in California, you’re probably living along a fault line. The San Andreas fault line runs right through northern and southern areas, meaning that a direct fault line is right under Los Angeles. Fault lines run all throughout the ground beneath us. Let’s not forget the 1994 Northridge quake that happened on an unknown fault line; in California, the ground can move at any given time.

Ways to Prep Your Home For the Worst

One of the biggest things you can do is make sure every room with heavy furniture is bolted to something. Fasten down your belongings with nylon straps, putty or closed hooks. For example, you can bolt all bookcases to the wall, so then they can’t come crashing down on you. Other ways to ensure safety are to position heavy belongings away from areas that will be populated by people. Making sure you have quick access to somewhere safe is a key component. If possible, assess your home and make sure that it is in prime condition, with no faults or weaknesses that could be harmful later. Older homes may be more susceptible to earthquake damage, and they should be corrected accordingly.

Weaknesses in Homes to Look Out For

Things that you should be wary of when assessing your home include structures not being properly anchored to their foundations, having weak crawl space walls, unbraced pier-and-post foundations, and unreinforced masonry walls or foundations. There are things that should be assessed with professional help and fixed accordingly, in order to make sure your home is up to par. If you’re a renter, make sure to ask your landlord what you can do in order to prepare yourself for a natural disaster. Your landlord will likely have insurance and can save you a whole lot of trouble.

All of California is at risk for earthquakes and ISU-The Olson Duncan Agency covers that, offering seven decades of expertise that provides insurance across multiple sectors for businesses and families everywhere. Stay safe with insurance and preparations. Keeping your home or business ready for the worst can make the difference of a lifetime.

About ISU / The Olson Duncan Agency

At ISU-The Olson Duncan Agency, our goal is to provide clients with a total solution, not just a quote or a contract. We provide businesses and individuals with insurance and risk management solutions, and we aim to provide real value and build trustworthy, long-term relationships with our clients. To learn more about our services, give us a call today at (310) 373-6441 to speak with one of our professionals.