As an Orange County community, earthquakes are a natural disaster that we often have to think about. Preparation is key when learning how to deal with such issues. As your local and reliable plumber, we want to provide you with a quick guide on how to prepare your home, and family, for an earthquake.
3 Simple Steps
1. Hold a family meeting: It’s important to discuss with your family everything from how you will communicate with each other during an emergency to where one can find the emergency kit. During your meeting, determine and point out all the safe spots in the house, such as under a sturdy table or against an inside wall, as well as all the dangerous ones. Don’t stop there. Also hold drills so your family knows exactly where the safe spots are and are familiar with getting to them.
2. Strengthen your property: There are a lot of objects in your home that can become instantly dangerous during an earthquake. To start, make sure structures are anchored to their foundation and secure appliances, such as the water heater and refrigerator, to the floor as well. Next, take note of tall, heavy objects, as well as items hanging from the ceiling. Either secure them tightly or store them away. Lower shelves and/or cabinets that are kept closed with latches are a good place for these items. Flammables, such as bug sprays, should be stored away as well!
3. Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections: If not done, this can easily become a fire hazard. Barker and Sons detects and repairs all gas leaks. Even consider installing an earthquake shutoff valve! They are relatively inexpensive and require no action by homeowners to activate. Learn more here.
