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Take action to reduce damage. To reduce damage inside, look at your ceiling and walls to see what might fall.


 
1. Anchor bookcases and filing cabinets to walls

2. Secure ceiling lights, suspended ceilings and other hanging items to the home structure

3. Anchor water heaters and large appliances to walls using safety cables or straps and lock the rollers of all appliances and furniture

4. Fit all gas appliances with flexible connections and breakaway gas shut-off devices or install a main gas shut-off device

5. Consider working with a registered design professional or licensed building contractor to reduce damage to the structure of your home

6. Add anchor bolts or steel plates between your home’s structure and foundation

7. Brace the inside of your home’s cripple wall with sheathing

8. Brace unreinforced chimneys, masonry, concrete walls and foundations



A few tips for protecting yourself if the ground starts to shake:

 
If you’re indoors, stay there. Move away from windows, skylights, doors and things that could fall. Duck, cover and hold until the shaking stops.


If you’re outdoors, move quickly into the open, away from electrical lines, trees and buildings. Drop to the ground and wait for the shaking to stop.


If you’re driving, slowly bring your vehicle to a stop at the side of the road. Don’t stop on or under bridges, under power lines or near roadway signs. After the shaking has stopped continue driving, but watch out for damage to the road.

 
Want to learn more about your earthquake coverage options? Contact us today.