As we wrap up in 2019, it’s important to start setting some actionable goals for the New Year — and if you own a home in Los Angeles, the earthquake preparation should be at the top of your list.
There were some big shakers in Southern California in 2019. We had two earthquakes in the range of 6-7 magnitudes and hundreds in the range of 3-4 magnitudes. It’s not a matter of “Big One” hitting, it’s a matter of when.
Check out Weinstein Building Earthquake Preparation Tips:
1. Know your risk: some areas of California have more earthquakes than others. Do some research and find out if you’re living near an active fault line. You should also inspect the environment for seismic hazards such as steep hills that could become landslides, ocean fronts that could experience tsunamis, and old or poorly constructed nearby buildings that could be damaged or destroyed by a major earthquake.
2. Prepare an emergency kit and a disaster plan: California experiences about 19 earthquakes a day on average. Every Californian should have an earthquake kit in their home equipped with enough food, water and medication to last for every person and pet in their home for at least three days. The package should include: non-perishable food Food First aid Flashlights Camping equipment Batteries Blankets And essential personal items (i.e. medications, clothes, toiletries) You should also have an evacuation and an emergency plan in place. To do this, you’re going to want to identify different exit strategies in your home and explore safe spaces to reach (such as open fields or parks) and different routes to get there.
3. Retrofit your home: Most homes in Los Angeles and all over California need some kind of seismic refurbishment or seismic refurbishment to withstand a major quake. Particularly if you live in a high-risk area, you should take the necessary steps to strengthen and renovate your house. This can be achieved by bolting your house to the foundation or by adding additional support beams as required.
Inside your home, the earthquake is proof of your furniture by securing large items such as book shelves and wall cabinets. This will reduce the risk of damage and prevent the furniture from moving and crashing during an extreme earthquake.
4. Know what to do during the earthquake: it is important to avoid hazards such as falling debris and furniture during the earthquake. When there is a shake, stay away from any and all windows and furniture that might shatter and fall. You’ll want to avoid all places where objects have been stored overhead, and places like the kitchen and garage, because of items that have been stored in cabinets or shelving.
You’re going to take the cover and follow the steps below: Drop: get down on your hands and knees. This will help to maintain your health and protect your vital organs.
Cover: Find a secure place to hide (under a large table or desk) and put your hands on the back of your head and neck. If there’s no shelter nearby, lean against a wall that isn’t near any windows.
Hold: If you are under a table or another type of shelter, hold on to one hand and cover your head and neck with the other.
Sit inside: during the earthquake, safety is better than running out in the midst of the shaking. You’re going to want to stay on your knees and elbows and cover the back of your neck until the shaking ends.
After the earthquake, you’ll want to check your gas lines to make sure there’s no leakage. If you smell gas, do not use an open flame until the gas company has checked the leak and said it’s safe.
If you think you own a property that needs to be refurbished by the earthquake, please contact Weinstein Construction today.
You can schedule a free inspection with us, where we will send one of our qualified foundation specialists to inspect and analyze the area in order to determine the best way to strengthen and secure the building.
To schedule a free inspection with Weinstein Engineering, please click here or call us at 888-791-6408. A representative will review the details you provide and contact you to arrange the inspection.
