FEMA – How to Protect your Home from Earthquake

FEMA has an interesting simple document about how to protect your home from an Earthquake. It is basic and mostly a low cost solution. It is certainly not a be all end all document. But – For many its a great place to start for Earthquake Safety.

The Federal Emergerncy Management Agency states: “there are some ways to secure your property to minimize damage and keep your home and those that live there safe.” That is the goal of this simple multi page advisory document that they prepared.

QuakeCov takes earthquake safety very seriously. Earthquake Insurance is just ONE of the avenues of risk management. Property and Human protection are other important tools that should not be avoided.

This article is about FEMA’s Protect your Property from Earthquakes document.

FEMA’s Earthquake Safety Advice, Inside your Home:

Create a Plan: “In the event your home is unsafe, know where to meet outside and have enough supplies to last for several days.” The plan is even more important if you have pets and children.

Make a Path: “Make sure there are at least two accessible exits in your home to help you safely leave during an earthquake….be very careful how you exit the building.” It may be a good idea to review these exit plans with everyone in the family, including children and pets.

Anchor or Move Top Heavy Objects: “anchor top-heavy or large furniture… Anchor objects to wall studs where possible.” This seems like an obvious idea that few of us actually do.

Secure Fixtues in the House: “There are many smaller objects and appliances throughout the home that can cause damage if they fall, such as ceiling fans, picture frames, televisions,…Anchor objects to wall studs where possible.”

Move Heavy Items: “Relocate heavy or large items located over 4 feet above the ground…” This makes signficant common sense. Heavier items falling down might injure some or create unnecarry physical destruction.

Water Heater Security: “Fasten these with additional reinforcement such as straps so that they don’t move.” Water Heater security is one of these things that you will typically note now adays in homes in California. I believe it is required if you sell your home. A hot water heater that tips over can kill people.

Secure Toxic and Flamable Chemicals: Store these items securely. The brief provides very little information about what this could look like. Personally I think its best if they are stored in a manor that might prevent them from tipping over or catching fire. No examples of best practices were given.

Brace Suspended Ceilings: “Providing additional bracing and reinforcement can help to ensure that these won’t fall.” What is a Suspended Ceiling – Click here.

Latch Cabinets: “Childproof locks aren’t just for the young ones. Installing these locks on drawers and cabinets can help to prevent content from falling out during an earthquake, which could prevent injuries and help keep a clear path to an exit.”

Consider Earthquake Insurance: “Protect your investment and talk to your insurance agent about purchasing earthquake coverage or a separate policy, especially if you live in a high-risk area.” This site is all about earthquake insurance, so you have come to the correct place.

Update your List of Home Contents: “Consider documenting your contents visually, either by taking photos of high-value items or walking through your home and videotaping your belongings for reference.” The question and method of documenting inventory lists of personal property is fairly important in the world of insurance.

In Case of Tsunami Know Where Higher Ground is: “If you live near the coast, have an evacuation plan and know where accessible higher ground is located during a tsunami warning.” Do learn where the higher ground is. But also ask yourself how you can get covered for this risk. Earthquake Insurance does not cover you from the peril of Tsunami.

Practice Self Preservation: “In the event of an earthquake, do not run outside and do not panic. When the earth begins to shake, most people should Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Stay where you are until the shaking has stopped.”

FEMAs Earthquake Safety Advice, Outside your Home:

Keep Connections Flexible: “Have flexible connections installed where gas lines connect to your home to help prevent leaks and fires. This can also be done inside the home, where gas lines connect to water heaters, overhead unit heaters, air conditioners, or fireplaces.” The nuts and bolts of this is that non flexible items are more likely to snap or break. Flexible pipes and connections – less so.

Secure Outside Items Such as Decks and Porches, Among Other Outdoor Items: “External parts of the home like decks, porches, carports, or canopies are often only minimally attached to the main building. Anchoring these more securely to the house, providing diagonal and horizontal bracing, and reinforcing the base can help to keep them from falling and causing more damage or injury.” In our opinion it may make sense to contact a structural engineer for ideas and suggestions on how to best do this.

Anchor Hillside Homes: “some homes can pull away from their foundation, resulting in major damage or collapse. Installing additional support and anchoring can help reduce the movement during earthquakes.” Again a structural engineer may be your best bet on this one.

Reinforce Garages: “Attached garages that have living space over them often have less bracing, particularly at the vehicle entrance. Adding additional reinforcement in the garage can reduce swaying and possible collapse.” Structural Engineers can definitily assist with this.

About FEMA:

FEMA stands for the Federal Emergency Mangement Agency and is based in Washingtong DC. The mission of FEMA is to help “people before, during, and after disasters…” The Federal Emergency Mangement Agency has ten regional offices spreadout thoughout the United States.

FEMA was created in 1978 and 1979 by President Jimmy Carter. The agency is charged with helping individual states following various disaster declarations. Among numerous responsibilities and departments the National Flood Insurance Program is administered by FEMA.

Does FEMA Suggest that your Purchase Earthquake Insurance for your Property?

FEMA’s document does say: “Consider Earthquake Insurance.” And they state what QuakeCov has said numerous times: “Most homeowners and renters insurance policies don’t cover earthquake damage. Standard policies only cover losses from fire after an earthquake.” I might change that to Almost all unendorsed homeowners policies, at least in California, do not cover you for the peril of Earth Movement, including earthquake.

In addition FEMA states: “Protect your investment …. especially if you live in a high-risk area.” How a consumer knows that they are in a so called high risk area, they do not explain. And it makes me wonder. So yes, in a sense FEMA is suggesting that consumers at least Consider purchasing earthquake insurance. The do not make any recommendations on the CEA partners or any CEA alternatives.

Additional Sources of Information about this Blog Post:

As always research and notes were pulled from a variet of resources including FEMA itself and wikipedia, among other sources of information.

Notes on this Blog Post:

*This is an abridged version and much was cut out to create a more simple Earthquake Home Protection System. Most of this article is taken directly or indirectly from FEMAs Document titled: Protect your Property from Earthquakes. We have shortened and added some additional thoughts for clarity and brevity. We have used quotation marks to delineate where we are quoting FEMA. This document can be found directly on FEMA’s website.

Additionally please see a licensed contractor or engineer in your state before making any building modifications. Quakecov is not a licensesd builder.

About QuakeCov.com

QuakeCov.com is a site dedicated to selling earthquake insurance and providing consumers with information about earthquakes, quake safety, and other earthquake information. Always speak with a licensed agent when considering making any changes or purchase of earthquake coverage.