Surviving an earthquake is no easy task. Fortunately, you can improve both your chances of survival and the preservation of your home investment by planning ahead. Of greatest importance is having your property inspected by a structural engineer to make sure your home is up to par on building standards. After that, follow the tips below to prepare your home to be earthquake proof.

#1:  Put all breakable and heavy objects on low shelves

During an earthquake, heavy or breakable objects on high shelves can fall and shatter. This puts anything below the shelves at risk of further damage – including you, should you happen to be standing near a high shelf when an earthquake hits. Instead, place heavy and breakable objects as low as possible in your house.

#2:  Secure tall or heavy objects to the wall

If you have furniture that could topple forward during seismic shaking, you need to secure it to the wall with bracket and anchors. Examples of such furniture include bookcases, hanging plants, or the top halves of hutches if they’re not attached to their bases.

#3:  Brace your water heater

Proper bracing of your water heater can go a long way in preventing expensive damage to your home and your heater. Consult with a professional on how to install proper bracing.

It’s also helpful to learn how to drain drinking water from your water heater in the event of a water shortage. If city water systems get damaged during an earthquake, the water in your water heater may be your only source of drink.

#4:  Inspect your garage for items that can fall and damage vehicles

Any items hanging from your garage walls or ceiling should be secured. Do this by mounting anchor-based brackets into the studs of your walls and the trusses of your ceiling.

#5:  Designate “safe spots” in each room of your house

From a structural perspective, certain areas of your house are more likely to withstand earthquake damage than other areas. Such spots typically include corners and door frames.

In contrast, standing in the middle of a room during an earthquake or standing near a window could have disastrous results. The middle of most rooms is more susceptible to collapsed ceilings. And unless you have earthquake-proof glass, the windows in your house are likely to shatter if they encounter the stress of an earthquake. Play it safe and stay near room corners and door frames – but away from windows.

#6:  Mount latches on cabinets and doors

It’s a good idea to attach latches to all the cabinets and drawers throughout your house. Such latches could keep cabinet doors from swinging open during the seismic shaking of an earthquake, helping to protect the contents within the cabinets. Latches will also keep drawers from sliding open and tumbling to the ground.

#7:  Learn how to work your utility shutoffs

You should know where your main electric and water service valves are located. Understand how to operate them and in particular find out how to turn them off.

It’s also a good idea to install a seismic shut-off on your main gas line. Understand how the shut-off works and gather the tools necessary to perform that task.

#8:  Plan for a secondary exit from the upper floors of your house

If you live in a house with more than one floor level (including one-story houses with basements), you need to come up with an alternate way to escape any floors not level with the ground. In the event of an earthquake, stairs could become blocked or damaged.

#9:  Create an emergency disaster kit

Your emergency disaster kit should include water and medical supplies. Make a list of emergency phone numbers and store that in your disaster kit. You should also include copies of all your valuable documents, such as birth certificates, passports, your mortgage deed, and other similar records.

It’s also wise to include an envelope with cash in case electricity is down for days and you aren’t able to make electronic purchases.

#10:  Design your own disaster plan

A disaster plan is something you communicate to all the members of your household. It’s a way of making sure everybody knows what to do in the event of an earthquake or other emergency. Your disaster plan should include a designated meeting place located outside of your residence.

Inform the members of your household of your disaster plan and conduct practice drills to make sure everybody is clear on the details of the plan. Schedule at least one practice drill to take place at night in the dark so household members can practice the plan under stressful conditions.