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How to Prepare for an Earthquake by Nikki Willhite Think an earthquake couldn't "strike" in your area? Think again.  Although they are most common west of the Rockies, they have hit all over America. One of the most severe ones ever recorded in the USA happened in the middle of the country. While you don't have to become alarmed about this, everyone should take certain precautions. If you live in California, information is abundant. I couldn't tell you anything that is not constantly being drilled into your heads. Here's a few tips for the rest of us. We want our homes to be secure. We don’t have to live in fortresses, like in medieval times, but we want a measure of security in our homes.  We need to feel safe from intruders, and prepared for natural disasters. When it comes to whether or not to purchase earthquake insurance,  that is a hard decision. Most earthquake coverage will cost you are much as the regular premium on your home. Then, if an earthquake does hit,  there is usually a 10 percent deductible. This means that if you live in a $100,000 home,  you would have to sustain over $10,000 worth of damage to collect anything. My husband has looked at hundreds of earthquake damaged homes. The homes that are most at risk are those made of brick. Wooden homes seem to ride out the quakes better, as well as homes with basements. Here are some of the things you can do to prepare your home in case of an earthquake - Check the foundation. Some houses are bolted into their foundation. Others just sit on it.  Unless your garage has been dry walled,  you can usually tell by checking the foundation.. If you find your home just setting on the foundation without being anchored to it- consult your local hardware store for the best way to secure it. - Gas leaks are one of the most dangerous aftermaths of earthquakes. Keep a wrench handy, and know where to turn off the gas at the street.  You also need to know how to turn the gas off at  furnace and the water heater. This is usually as easy as turn a handle so that it is no longer parallel with the pipes. - There is also a motion sensor that you can attach to the main gas line at the front of your house that will automatically turn the gas off in case the earth moves. - Put a strap around your water heater, so that it doesn’t fall over and rupture. - Anchor tall furniture to the wall, so that it doesn’t fall over on a toddler. We use little L shaped metal brackets. They may not be attractive, but they contribute to our peace of mind. Finally, for those in areas with frequent earthquakes: - Have a family member in another area responsible for "counting heads."  Local communication may be difficult.  - Think about getting a fold up bicycle for the trunk of your car so that you can get home if the earthquake happens while you are at work and the roads are not clear. About the Author: Nikki Willhite, mother of 3 and an interior design graduate, has been writing and publishing articles on the topic of frugal living for over a decade. Visit her at www.frugalhappyfamilies.com - where you will find hundreds of frugal living tips and articles. Frugal Happy Families- more than just money!  Article first published at www.allthingsfrugal.com

 

 

 

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