Report any property damage to your insurance agent to be quite complex, however, and alifornia may think it owns earthquakes, PROTECT PROTECT or company representative immediately after an earthquake or other natural disaster and make generally requires the expertise of a but if you live anywhere west or just east temporary repairs to prevent further damage. For of the Rockies, you live in an earthquake registered design professional, such as information about filing an insurance claim after YOUR HOME YOUR HOME a natural disaster, contact: an architect or engineer, or a licensed zone. If you live along the Mississippi YOUR INSURANCE AGENT OR INSURANCE COMPANY building contractor. River in the New Madrid region, well, INSURANCE INFORMATION INSTITUTE that’s an earthquake zone, too. And the AGAINST AGAINST 110 William Street 2.Before making any structural changes southern Appalachians? Yes. New England? New York, NY 10038 to your home, check with your local Phone: 1-800-942-4242 Yes. Alaska? Absolutely. Fax: (212) 346-5500 building officials to be sure what EARTHQUAKE EARTHQUAKE http://www.iii.org you’re doing complies with local You don’t have to lose your home and building codes. Experts agree that possessions to nature’s shake, rattle and DAMAGE DAMAGE structures built to meet or exceed roll. It’s never too early to prepare and you current model building codes have a can take several basic steps right now to much better chance of surviving protect your family and your home an earthquake. from disaster. FIRST THINGS FIRST 1.If you’re handy with a hammer and screwdriver, you can secure appliances, furniture and keepsakes yourself. Work involving your home’s structure tends 4775 E. Fowler Ave. ¸ Tampa, FL 33617 1(866) 657-4247(IBHS) ¸ Fax: (813) 286-9960 ¸ www.ibhs.org An initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters. ©IBHS 2001-02 = Page 1 = ¸ Become familiar with your community’s ¸ If you are driving, carefully and slowly THE HOUSE ITSELF INSIDE YOUR HOUSE bring your vehicle to a stop at the side disaster preparedness plans and create a of the road away from traffic. Do not stop family plan. Identify escape routes from An earthquake puts your home’s structure to the Anchor bookcases and filing cabinets to ¸ on or under bridges, under power lines or your home and neighborhood and desig- test: it must absorb the earthquake’s energy and nearby walls. near roadway signs that might fall. Once nate an emergency meeting place for the provide a stable path to transfer these forces Install latches on drawers and cabinet ¸ the shaking has stopped, you can continue family to reunite if you become separated. back into the ground. Your home is more likely doors to keep contents from spilling. driving, but watch carefully for possible Also establish a contact point to to pass this test when it is properly tied together. damage to the roadway. communicate with concerned relatives. That is, when the roof is attached tightly to the Install ledge barriers on shelves, place ¸ walls, the walls are fastened to each other and, heavy items on lower shelves, and secure Make certain all adult and teenage ¸ finally, when the walls are braced and anchored AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE STRIKES members of the family know where your large, heavy items and breakables directly to a strong foundation. gas, electric and water main shutoff to shelves to keep them from falling. Check for gas or water leaks and electrical ¸ controls are and how to turn them off if shorts, and turn off damaged utilities. If the structural elements of your home need Use closed screw-eyes and wire to ¸ there is a leak or electrical short. Keep Don’t try to turn them back on yourself, reinforcing, some of the most important and securely attach pictures and mirrors necessary wrenches close by. however. Have the fire department or gas common retrofits include: to the walls. and electric companies turn the utilities Put together an emergency kit that ¸ Adding anchor bolts or steel plates ¸ back on when the area is secure. Attach computers and small appliances ¸ includes a three-day supply of drinking between your home and its foundation. to desks, tables or countertops. water and food you don’t have to refriger- Obey evacuation orders from local ¸ ate or cook; first aid supplies; a portable Bracing the inside of your home’s cripple ¸ authorities. Secure ceiling lights, suspended ceilings ¸ NOAA weather radio; a wrench and other wall — the short wood-stud wall between and other hanging items such as Be prepared for aftershocks. ¸ basic tools; a flashlight; work gloves; the top of the foundation wall and the first chandeliers and plants to the permanent emergency cooking equipment; portable floor — with sheathing. structure of your house. lanterns; fresh batteries for each piece of Bracing unreinforced chimneys, masonry ¸ equipment; clothing; blankets; baby items; Apply safety film to windows and ¸ and concrete walls and foundations. prescription medications; extra car and glass doors. For more information about protecting your family and house keys; extra eyeglasses; credit cards home from earthquakes, check this other publication and cash; important documents, including BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE STRIKES Anchor large appliances to walls using ¸ from the Institute for Business & Home Safety insurance policies. safety cables or straps. Lock the rollers (www.ibhs.org): You can improve the odds of your home of any large appliances or pieces IS YOUR HOME PROTECTED FROM EARTHQUAKE surviving an earthquake by taking these of furniture. WHEN AN EARTHQUAKE STRIKES precautions, but you won’t make it quake- DISASTER? If you are indoors when an earthquake ¸ proof. Nor do these measures guarantee your Secure water heater(s) to nearby walls. ¸ A Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Retrofit strikes, stay there. Move away from safety. Earthquakes strike with no warning, so Fit all gas appliances with flexible ¸ windows, skylights, doors and things that take these additional steps to protect yourself connections and/or a breakaway gas until the Duck, cover and hold could fall. and your family as fully as possible: shut-off device, or install a main gas shaking stops. or drop to the floor, duck Teach everyone to ¸ shut-off device. (Check your local If you are outdoors, move quickly and ¸ hold under a desk or table and cover take building codes to determine whether safely into the open, away from electrical on to it when earthquake strikes. Remember you may install flexible connectors lines, trees and buildings. Drop to the Duck, cover and hold. the phrase: yourself or whether a professional ground and wait for the shaking to stop. must install them.) = Page 2 =