Earthquake Safety Guide 

for Homeowners 

FEMA 530 / September 2005

FEMA
	 	 Publishing Information

The Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety was originally developed and 

published by the California Seismic Safety Commission. This modified version 

of the Guide was developed by FEMA in cooperation with the California 

Seismic Safety Commission staff. The original guide was prepared for 

publication by the staff of the Collaborative for Disaster Mitigation, San Jose 

State University.

Ordering Information

Copies of this publication are available from the FEMA Distribution Facility. To 

order, call 1-800-480-2520 and ask for FEMA publication 530.

On the cover:

Taken in Atascadero, California, on January 25, 2004, the photograph shows 

a home that slid 2 feet off its foundation as a result of the 6.5 San Simeon 

Earthquake.
CONTENTS

Page

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.................................................ii

INTRODUCTION.................................................1

Examples of Damage to Single-Family

Homes.........................................................2

EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS IN THE

UNITED STATES................................................3

EARTHQUAKE WEAKNESSES......................4

Unbraced Water Heaters..........................5

Home Not Anchored to Foundation.........7

Weak Crawl Space Walls...........................9

Pier-and-Post Foundations........................11

Unreinforced Masonry Foundations..........13

Homes Built on Steep Hillsides.................15

Unreinforced Masonry Walls....................17

Rooms over Garages...............................19

OTHER EARTHQUAKE-RELATED

CONCERNS......................................................21

Unreinforced Masonry Chimneys.............21

Foundations..........................................23

Homes with Unique Designs....................24

Page

NATURAL GAS SAFETY..................................25

GETTING THE WORK

DONE.................................................................27

GEOLOGIC HAZARDS.....................................29

WHAT TO DO DURING AN

EARTHQUAKE..................................................32

WHAT TO DO BEFORE AN

EARTHQUAKE..................................................33

WHAT TO DO AFTER AN

EARTHQUAKE..................................................35

RESOURCE ORGANIZATIONS......................37

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners i

California Homeowners: This Guide does not cover real

estate disclosure requirements and related recommendations

as described in the California Seismic Safety Commission

publication The Homeowner’s Guide to Earthquake Safety. To

obtain that guide, go to http://www.seismic.ca.gov/sscpub.htm.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ii Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners

Department of Homeland Security, Federal

Emergency Management Agency

Elizabeth Lemersal

Jeffrey Lusk

Seismic Safety Commission

Lucille M. Jones, Ph.D., Chair, Seismology

Hon. Richard Alarcon, State Senate

 (Chris Modrzejewski)

Hon. Carol Liu, State Assembly

 (Donald Manning)

Lawrence T. Klein, Utilities

Mark Church, Local Government

Linden Nishinaga, P.E., City Government

Celestine Palmer, Insurance

Andrew A. Adelman, P.E., Cities/Building

 Official

Stan Moy, A.I.A., Architecture and Planning

Daniel Shapiro, S.E., Structural Engineering

Vacant, Mechanical Engineering

Bruce R. Clark, Ph.D., Geology

Vacant, County Government

Vacant, Emergency Services

Donald R. Parker, Vice Chairman, Fire

 Protection

Jimmie R. Yee, Social Services

Vacant, Soils Engineering

Seismic Safety Commission Staff

Richard McCarthy, Executive Director

Robert Anderson

Karen Cogan

Henry Reyes

Henry Sepulveda

Fred Turner, Project Coordinator

Sue Celli

Rebecca Romo

Collaborative for Disaster Mitigation Staff

Guna Selvaduray, Ph.D., Executive Director

Patrick Chong, Webmaster

Crystal Carrera, Administrative Assistant

The Commission gratefully acknowledges

the assistance of the following:

American Red Cross

American Society of Home Inspectors

Association of Bay Area Governments

Building Education Center

California Association of Realtors

California Building Officials

California Council of the American Institute of

 Architects

California Geological Survey

California Real Estate Inspection Association

California Governor’s Office of Emergency

 Services

City of Los Angeles

Earthquake Engineering Research Institute

Humboldt Earthquake Education Center

International Code Council

SBC

San Diego Association of Governments

Southern California Association of Governments

Southern California Association of Residential

 Retrofit Professions

Southern California Gas Company/Sempra

Structural Engineers Association of California

Committee on Earthquake Safety Issues for

 Gas Systems

Disclaimer: The effects, descriptions, recommendations, and

suggestions included in this document are intended to improve

earthquake preparedness; however, they do not guarantee the

safety of an individual or a structure. FEMA takes responsibility

for the inclusion of material in this document. FEMA and the

California Seismic Safety Commission assume no liability for any

injury, death, property damage, loss of revenue, or any other

effect of an earthquake.
INTRODUCTION

Earthquakes, especially major ones, are

dangerous, inevitable, and a fact of life in some

parts of the United States. Sooner or later another

“big one” will occur.

Earthquakes:

 Occur without warning

 Can be deadly and extremely destructive

 Can occur at any time

As a current or potential owner of a home*, you

should be very concerned about the potential

danger to not only yourselves and your loved ones,

but also to your property.

The major threats posed by earthquakes are bodily

injuries and property damage, which can be

considerable and even catastrophic.

Most of the property damage caused by

earthquakes ends up being handled and paid for

by the homeowner.

 In a 2000 study titled HAZUS 99: Average

Annual Earthquake Losses for the United

States, FEMA estimated U.S. losses from

earthquakes at $4.4 billion per year.

 Large earthquakes in or near major urban

centers will disrupt the local economy and can

disrupt the economy of an entire state.

However, proper earthquake preparation of your

home can:

 Save lives

 Reduce injuries

 Reduce property damage

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 1

*For the purpose of this document, “home” includes

single-family residences, duplexes, triplexes, and

fourplexes.

As a homeowner, you can significantly reduce

damage to your home by fixing a number of known

and common weaknesses.

This booklet is a good start to begin strengthening

your home against earthquake damage.

It describes:

 Common weaknesses that can result in your

home being damaged by earthquakes, and

 Steps you can take to correct these

weaknesses.

There are no guarantees of safety during

earthquakes, but properly constructed and

strengthened homes are far less likely to collapse

or be damaged during earthquakes. FEMA advises

you to act on the suggestions outlined in this

booklet and make yourself, your family, and your

home safer.
	 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners

Examples of Dam

Single 

Dane Golden, FEMA News Photo

Figure 5 - San Simeon Earthquake, Dec. 22, 2003

This home slid 2 feet off its foundation due to 

inadequate nailing of walls to its sill plates.

Figure 4 - Northridge Earthquake, Jan. 17, 1994

Chimney collapse - common type of damage to 

unreinforced masonry.

FEMA News Photo

Figure 2 - Loma Prieta Earthquake, Oct. 17, 1989

Home moved off of its foundation and was considered 

a total loss.

Robert A. Eplett, OES

Figure 3 - Northridge Earthquake, Jan. 17, 1994

Single-family residence damaged due to failure of 

multiple elements.

FEMA

Figure 6 - San Simeon Earthquake, Dec. 22, 2003

The collapsed porch was not adequately attached to 

this single-family residence.

Guna Selvaduray

Figure 1 - San Fernando Earthquake, Feb. 9, 

1971 Severely damaged split level one- and twostory wood frame dwelling. The one-story portion 

dropped about 3 feet.

Pacific Fire Rating Bureau
EARTHQUAKE HAZARDS IN THE

UNITED STATES

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 3

Earthquakes strike suddenly, without warning. Earthquakes can occur any time of the year and at any

time of the day or night. On a yearly basis, 70 to 75 damaging earthquakes occur throughout the world.

Estimates of losses from a future earthquake in the United States approach $200 billion. Forty-five states

and territories in the United States are at moderate to very high risk from earthquakes, and they are

located in every region of the country.

Hawaii

Maui

Honolulu

Kauai

Kalawao

Earthquake hazards in the United States. This map is based on seismicity and fault-slip rates and takes

into account the frequency of occurrence of earthquakes of various magnitudes. Locally, the hazard may

be greater than that shown, because site geology may amplify ground motions. Based on U.S.

Geological Survey National Seismic Hazard Map for the Coterminous United States (http://

eqhazmaps.usgs.gov/html/map_graphic.html).
IDENTIFY 

WEAKNESSES

4 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners

The earthquake weaknesses identified in this section, if not corrected, can result in

one or more of the following:

 Injury to occupants

 Severe damage to your home

 Broken gas and utility lines

 Fires from broken gas lines

 Damage to floors, walls, and windows

 Damage to the contents in the house

 Damage to the foundations

Please remember that:

 Retrofitting before an earthquake is relatively cheap.

 Doing major structural repairs to your home after an earthquake is very

expensive.

 Sometimes the damage is extensive enough to require the entire house to

be demolished.

 After an earthquake, there is usually a shortage of available licensed

contractors and engineers in the impacted area, because of the sudden

high demand for their services.

 An appropriate seismic retrofit will reduce damage and save you money.

Please consult your local Building Department and/or a licensed architect or

engineer for more detailed information.

EARTHQUAKE WEAKNESSES
IDENTIFY 

WEAKNESSES

The Problem

If water heaters are not properly braced, they can

topple over during an earthquake, causing:

 Broken gas lines and gas leaks

 Fires resulting in major damage to homes

 Broken water lines and flooding

How to Identify

 Is the water heater freestanding?

 Are there straps or other types of restraints

securing the water heater?

 Are there straps or restraints bolted to the

studs?

 Are there flexible pipes for water and gas

connected to the water heater?

Remember

 Replacing a water heater after an earthquake

can cost more than $500.

 Repairing fire damage and flooding damage

can cost several thousand dollars, including the

entire cost of your home!

 There are many different ways of strapping a

water heater. One example is shown on the

next page.

 Check with your local Building Department for

details of local requirements.

 Know where your main water valve is so that

you can shut it off if you have a water leak.

 Know where your main gas valve is so that you

can shut it off if you hear or smell a gas leak.

(See page 25)

Contents Damage

Unbraced Water Heaters

Figure 7 - The unbraced water heater in

this home fell during an earthquake; the

resulting fire destroyed the home.

Governor’s Office of Emergency Services

Water heater

Figure 8 - This unstrapped water heater

tipped over during the 1984 Morgan Hill

Earthquake. Fortunately, gas and water

lines were not ruptured.

Guna Selvaduray

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 5
HOW-TO	

 Comparison of Cost: Preventing vs. Repairing Earthquake Damage

Project Cost	 	 Cost to Repair After an Earthqu

	 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners

Water heaters must be braced (securely attached) to the studs in a wall.

How-to Resources

n	Your local home improvement store

n	Go to www.fema.gov, and under the Earthquake

section, search for “Brace Hot Water Heaters” for

specific bracing instructions.

n	Publication: Guidelines for Earthquake Bracing

of Residential Water Heaters. Department of

General Services, Division of the State Architect,

revised August 11, 2004. Available online at

http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/dsa/pubs/

waterheaterbracing_08-11-04.pdf.

The Solution

There are many solutions – all relatively

inexpensive.

n Purchase and install a strap kit or

bracing kit from your local hardware 

store.

Other options include:

n Have a licensed plumber strap your 

water heater according to code.

n Use metal tubing or heavy metal 

strapping and lag screws and

washers to secure the water heater

to the wall studs.

The gas and water lines should also have

flexible pipes. These are safer than rigid 

pipes during an earthquake.

Be sure to check the straps once a year.

They may come loose due to vibrations, 

or other causes.

$20 to $200 $500 to total value of home (if completely destroyed)

Brace Water Heaters

Gypsum

board

WATER 

HEATER

Straps

Flexible 

water line

connections

Flexible 

gas line

connection

Figure 9 - One method of water heater bracing. Straps and 

screws visible with water heater in a garage installation.
IDENTIFY 

WEAKNESSES

The Problem

Houses that are not bolted to the foundation can

move off their foundations during earthquakes.

How to Identify

 Go down into the crawl space – the area

between the first floor and the foundation – to

find out if your house is bolted to its foundation.

 Look for the heads of anchor bolts that fasten

the sill plate – the wooden board that sits

directly on top of the foundation – securely to

the foundation. (See Figure 11a, page 8)

 You should be able to see the large nuts,

washers, and anchor bolts, installed at least

every 4 to 6 feet along the sill plate. Steel

plates are sometimes used instead of anchor

bolts. (See Figure 11b, page 8)

Remember

 It is very expensive to lift a house, and place it

back on its foundation.

 Homes moving off their foundations can cause

gas lines to rupture, which in turn can result in

fires.

Home Not Anchored to Foundation

Slab Foundations

Some homes are built directly on concrete slabs. These houses do not have crawl spaces

and foundation walls.

Nearly all homes with slab foundations that were originally built to code will have anchor

bolts or straps.

However, if the house is not bolted to the slab, you have an earthquake weakness.

Newer homes generally have anchor bolts or straps.

If you have an unfinished garage, you may be able to see the anchor bolts.

You are not required to remove siding, drywall, or plaster to determine if your house has

anchor bolts.

If your home has no foundation, or an old

concrete foundation, see page 23.

Figure 10 - This home wasn’t bolted and slid off its

foundation. Sometimes the damage can be so bad that

houses have to be demolished.

 Office of Emergency Services

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 7
 Comparison of Cost: Preventing vs. Repairing Earthquake Damage

 Project Cost Cost to Repair After an Earthquake

HOW-TO

	 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners

Figure 11 - Anchor bolts or steel plates. A home’s crawl 

space may be formed by a wood stud wall (see next page for 

description) between the foundation and the floor joists or the 

floor joists may rest directly on the sill plate. In either case, 

you should be able to see the heads of anchor bolts or steel 

plates installed at appropriate intervals. These fixtures fasten 

the sill plate to the foundation.

The Solution

Drill holes through the sill plate into the foundation

and install anchor bolts. (See Figure 11

If there is not enough room to drill, you can attach

steel plates to hold the sill plate to the foundation.

(See Figure 11b)

Anchor bolts have to be installed properly for them to

be effective.

You must obtain the proper permits from your local

Building Department before beginning work.

How-to Resources

n	Detailed information for do-it-yourselfers or

engineers can be found in the International

Existing Building Code, published by the

International Code Council.

n	Go to www.fema.gov, and under the Earthquake

section, search for “Strengthen Foundation Walls”

for specific anchoring instructions.

Anchor Foundation

$250 to $5,000 $25,000 to total value of home (if completely destroyed)

Figure 11b

Crawl 

Spac

Steel plates

Floor joists

Wall stud

Concrete

foundation

Crawl 

Spac

Sill Plate

Tops of 

anchor bolts

Concrete

foundation

Wall studs

Floor joists

 Figure 11a

Flooring

Flooring
IDENTIFY 

WEAKNESSES

The Problem

Wooden floors and stud walls are sometimes built

on top of an exterior foundation to support a house

and create a crawl space. (See Figure 14, page 10)

These stud walls carry the weight of the house.

During an earthquake, these walls can collapse if

they are not braced to resist horizontal movement.

If the wall fails, the house may shift or fall.

How to Identify

 Go under the house through the crawl space, to

see if there are any wood stud walls.

 If there are such walls, check to see if they are

braced.

 There should be plywood panels adequately

nailed to the studs OR there should be diagonal

wood sheathing. (See Figure 13)

 If you have neither of these, the walls are

probably insufficiently braced or unbraced.

 Horizontal or vertical wood siding is not

strong enough to brace these walls.

Remember

 It is very expensive to lift a house, repair

these walls, and put it back on its foundation.

Structural Damage Nonstructural Hazards Contents Damage

Weak Crawl Space Walls

Figure 12 - Damage to home due to crawl

space wall failure.

Figure 13 - Diagonal sheathing. Common in older homes.

 Office of Emergency Services

Floor

joists

First floor

Wood stud

wall

Diagonal

sheathing

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 9
HOW-TO	

 Comparison of Cost: Preventing vs. Repairing Earthquake Damage

Project Cost	 	 Cost to Repair After an Earthqu

10 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners

The Solution

Plywood, or other wood products allowed by code,

should be nailed to the studs.

The following are important:

n	Type of wood product used

n	Plywood thickness

n	Nail size and spacing

n	Not covering vents

Consult your local Building Department for permit

requirements before starting work.

Strengthen Foundation Walls

$500 to $2,500 $25,000 to total value of home (if completely destroyed)

First floor

Studs

Foundation

Floor joists Plywood panels

Nails at

appropriate

intervals

Anchor bolts at

appropriate intervals

Blocking

Vent holes

Siding

Wood

stud 

wall

How-to Resources

n	Detailed information for do-it-yourselfers or

engineers can be found in the International

Existing Building Code, published by the

International Code Council

n	Go to www.fema.gov, and under the

Earthquake section, search for “Strengthen

Foundation Walls” for specific strengthening 

instructions.

2x4 Stud

Double 

top plate

Siding

Anchor

bolt

Sill plate

Plywood

Nails at

appropriate

intervals

Figure 14 - Plywood 

or diagonal sheathing 

strengthens weak wood 

stud walls. If your home 

has a wood stud wall 

between the foundation and 

the first floor, and the wall 

is not braced with plywood 

or diagonal sheathing, the 

house may fall or shift off 

its foundation during an 

earthquake.
IDENTIFY 

WEAKNESSES

The Problem

The outside of the house is supported by wood

posts resting on unconnected concrete piers.

Siding is often nailed to the outside of the posts,

making them not easily visible.

During an earthquake these posts can fail, if they

are not braced against swaying.

If the posts fail, the house may shift or fall.

How to Identify

 Go under the house to see if there is a

continuous foundation under the outside walls.

 If you do not see a continuous foundation, you

may have an earthquake weakness.

 If you see only unconnected concrete piers and

wood posts, or only wood posts, supporting the

outside walls, you have an earthquake

weakness.

Remember

 Horizontal or vertical wood siding is not strong

enough to brace pier-and-post foundations.

 Major structural repairs, like lifting an entire

house to repair the posts and putting it back,

are very expensive.

Pier-and-Post Foundations

California Seismic Safety Commission

Figure 15 - The pier-and-post

foundation under this home shifted

during a recent earthquake.

California Seismic Safety Commission

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 11
HOW-TO	

 Comparison of Cost: Preventing vs. Repairing Earthquake Damage

Project Cost	 	 Cost to Repair After an Earthqu

12 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners

The Solution

Consult a licensed architect or engineer, and a

licensed building contractor who specializes in

foundations, to fix this problem.

It may be possible to make the foundation safer by

bracing the posts.

You might be better off to add a new foundation and

plywood walls in the crawl space to make sure that

the house will not shift or fall off its foundation during

an earthquake.

How-to Resource

n	Detailed information for engineers can be found in

the International Existing Building Code, published

by the International Code Council.

Nonstructural Contents Damage Hazards

Strengthen Pier-and-Post Foundations

$1,000 to $25,000 $20,000 to total value of home (if completely destroyed)
IDENTIFY 

WEAKNESSES

The Problem

Unreinforced masonry—brick, concrete block, or

stone—foundations often cannot resist earthquake

shaking. They may break apart, or be too weak to

hold anchor bolts. Homes may shift off such

foundations during earthquakes, damaging the

walls, floors, utility lines, and home contents.

How to Identify

 If your home’s foundation is brick or stone, and

looks like one of the foundations shown in the

photos here, it is probably unreinforced.

 If there is a space filled with grout between the

inner and outer faces of a brick foundation

(where anchor bolts and reinforcing steel could

be installed), it may be reinforced.

 If the outside of the foundation is covered, you

may have to look under the house to see the

type of foundation you have.

 If you are not sure what to look for, seek the

services of a licensed engineer to determine if

your foundation is reinforced or not.

Remember

 It is cheaper to do this before an earthquake

damages the house than after.

Figure 17 - Note the bricks exposed in this unreinforced

masonry foundation.

Figure 16 - This is an unreinforced stone foundation.

They typically fail during earthquakes.

Unreinforced Masonry Foundations

California Seismic Safety Commission California Seismic Safety Commission

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 13
HOW-TO	

 Comparison of Cost: Preventing vs. Repairing Earthquake Damage

Project Cost	 	 Cost to Repair After an Earthqu

14 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners

The Solution

There are several ways to fix this problem. 

The most common approach is to replace all 

or part of the existing foundation with a poured 

reinforced concrete foundation.

Another solution is strengthening the unreinforced 

brick or stone foundation, which is generally 

expensive.

Seek the help of a licensed architect or engineer, 

and a licensed foundation contractor or general 

contractor.

How-to Resource

n	Detailed information for engineers can be found in 

the International Existing Building Code, published 

by the International Code Council.

Structural Structural Structural Damage Damage Contents Nonstructural Contents HOW-TO	 Damage Damage Hazards

Retrofit Masonry Foundations

$15,000 to $50,000 $15,000 to total value of home (if completely destroyed)
IDENTIFY 

WEAKNESSES

The Problem

Houses built on the sides of steep hills are often

set on exposed posts or columns, as shown in the

Figures 18 and 19.

The potentially hazardous conditions that are

unique to homes on steep hillsides are:

  Stilt-type posts with or without diagonal

 bracing

  Walls with very different heights or that are

 stepped or sloped down the hillsides.

If these posts or walls are not properly braced,

they may collapse during an earthquake.

Sometimes, the supports on the downhill side will

be hidden behind a tall wall that encloses a large

unfinished space. (This is similar to, but taller

than, a crawl space under a typical house built on

flat ground.)

How to Identify

 Is the house located on a slope?

 Are the columns or walls supporting the home

braced?

 If you are not sure if there is bracing or if the

bracing is adequate, consult a licensed

engineer.

Remember

 It is very expensive to lift a house, repair the

posts, and put it back.

Homes Built on Steep Hillsides

Figure 18 - This hillside home was built on an

unbraced tall wall that failed.

Figure 19 - This photograph shows an interior detail of a

home similar to the one above, with substantial damage to

a building with an unbraced tall wall.

Office of Emergency Services

Office of Emergency Services

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 15
HOW-TO	

 Comparison of Cost: Preventing vs. Repairing Earthquake Damage

Project Cost	 	 Cost to Repair After an Earthqu

16 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners

The Solution

Consult a licensed architect or engineer, and a

licensed contractor, to fix this problem.

How-to Resources

n	Detailed information can be found in the 

International Existing Building Code, published by 

the International Code Council.

Strengthen Homes on Steep Hillsides

Figure 20 - Hillside homes with sloped and tall walls or posts 

require special engineering.

$1,000 to $50,000 $10,000 to total value of home (if completely destroyed)

PEER and Nels Roselund, SE

Sloped or 

stepped 

wall Tall 

wall
IDENTIFY 

WEAKNESSES

The Problem

Houses built of unreinforced masonry – bricks,

hollow clay tiles, stone, concrete blocks, or adobe

– are very likely to be damaged during

earthquakes.

The mortar holding the masonry together is

generally not strong enough to resist earthquake

forces.

Anchorage of walls to the floor and the roof is

critical.

These houses are weak (brittle) and can break

apart.

Walls may fall away or buckle, resulting in

damage.

How to Identify

 Can bricks or stone be seen from the outside

(unless the walls are covered with stucco)?

 Do the brick walls have “header courses” of

bricks turned endways every five or six rows?

(See Figure 22)

 Was the house built before 1940?

If you cannot tell from the outside, turn off the

power and take the cover plate off one of the

electrical outlet boxes on an outside wall and look

for brick or other masonry.

If the wall is concrete or concrete block, it is very

difficult to find out if reinforcing steel was added

during construction.

You will then need:

 The house’s plans, which may be on file with

the Building Department, or

 To consult a licensed engineer to make the

determination.

Unreinforced Masonry Walls

Figure 22 - Header courses

of bricks are usually placed

endwise every six or so rows

in unreinforced masonry

walls to tie the outer layer of

bricks to the layers inside the

wall.

Remember

 It is very expensive to shore up a house,

remove damaged walls, and put in new

walls.

California Seismic Safety Commission

Figure 21 - The plaster-covered brick walls of this

building collapsed during a recent earthquake.

California Seismic Safety Commission

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 17
HOW-TO	

 Comparison of Cost: Preventing vs. Repairing Earthquake Damage

Project Cost	 	 Cost to Repair After an Earthqu

18 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners

The Solution

Consult a licensed architect or engineer to fix this 

problem.

One solution may involve:

n	 Tying the walls to the floor and roof

n	 Installing a steel frame and bolting the

wall to it.

How-to Resource

n	 Detailed information can be found in the International Existing Building Code, published by the

International Code Council.

Strengthen Unreinforced Masonry Walls

Project and Repair costs can vary widely.

Figure 23 - Unreinforced masonry wall strengthened by 

installing a steel frame inside.

Jessica Tran

Figure 24 - Bolting of unreinforced masonry wall to steel 

frame on the inside.

Jessica Tran
IDENTIFY 

WEAKNESSES

House

▲

▲

Garage

The Problem

The large opening of a garage door and the weight

of a second-story room built over the garage can

result in the walls being too weak to withstand

earthquake shaking.

When the narrow sections of the wall on each side

of the opening are not reinforced or braced, the

weakness is worse.

How to Identify

 Is the garage door opening in line with the rest of

the house? (See Figure 26)

 If this is the case, additional bracing may not

be needed.

 Is the house shaped like Figure 27? If this is the

case, are there braces or plywood panels around

the garage door opening?

 If there are no braces or plywood panels,

strengthening may be needed.

 Consult a licensed architect or engineer to

determine the strengthening required.

Remember

 Many homes with this weakness have been

severely damaged in past earthquakes.

Rooms over Garages

HOUSE VIEWED FROM ABOVE

Figure 26 - If the wall of the main house is in line

with the wall containing the door of a garage with a

room over it, the adjoining wall may help brace the

garage.

Garage House

Figure 27 - Additional bracing. Home configuration

where there is no in-line wall. Additional bracing may

be appropriate in this situation.

Garage

with room

above

HOUSE VIEWED FROM ABOVE

Figure 25 - This mountain home was built over a garage, and

its walls were not strong enough to withstand an earthquake.

 Office of Emergency Services

Wall may need bracing

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 19
HOW-TO	

 Comparison of Cost: Preventing vs. Repairing Earthquake Damage

Project Cost	 	 Cost to Repair After an Earthqu

20 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners

The Solution

Consult a licensed architect or engineer to design

plywood paneling or a steel frame around the door

opening (See Figure 28).

Have plans drawn.

Obtain a permit from your local Building

Department.

Strengthen Rooms over Garages

Figure 28—Bracing garage walls. If your house has a 

room over the garage, the garage walls may not be strong 

enough to hold up during an earthquake unless they are 

braced with plywood panels and steel straps.

$5,000 to $25,000 $15,000 to total value of home (if completely destroyed)

How-to Resource

n	 Detailed information can be found in the International Existing Building Code, published by the

International Code Council.

Plywood 

panels

Steel straps

Anchor Bolts and Tie-Downs
The Problem

Many chimneys are built of unreinforced brick or

stone. During an earthquake, these can collapse

or break and fall on the roof.

When the chimney fails, the falling stones and

bricks can:

 Cause injuries

 Damage the house

 Damage cars

Tall slender chimneys are most vulnerable.

How to Identify

 Check the mortar between the bricks or stones

with a screwdriver. If it crumbles when you pick

at it, the chimney may be a hazard.

 Inspect the attic and floor spaces for metal ties

that should be holding the chimney to the

house.

 Determining whether a chimney is susceptible

to earthquake damage is not always easy.

When in doubt, consult a licensed engineer or

contractor.

Remember

 Do not locate patios, children’s play areas, or

parking spaces near a questionable chimney.

 Tell family members to get away from

chimneys and fireplaces during earthquakes.

OTHER EARTHQUAKE-RELATED

CONCERNS

Unreinforced Masonry Chimneys OTHER

CONCERNS

Figure 29 - This unreinforced chimney fell during a recent

earthquake.

 Office of Emergency Services

Figure 30 - Morgan Hill Earthquake. Broken chimney fell on

roof.

Guna Selvaduray

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 21
22 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners

The Solution

Tear down the old or damaged chimney and replace with a newly constructed chimney.

Several steps can be taken to reduce the risk of

damage from falling chimneys, depending upon

the type of chimney you have. They include:

n	Add plywood panels at the roof or above the

ceiling joists to prevent the brick or stone from

falling into the house.

Ø	This can be done by layering plywood

above the ceiling, in the house’s attic, or

nailing plywood under the shingles when

reroofing.

n	Replace the upper chimney with metal flues.

n	Strengthen the existing chimney.

Ø	This can be a complicated process,

depending upon the construction and

height of the existing chimney.

Consult your local Building Department and obtain

necessary permits first.

How-to Resource

n	Go to www.fema.gov, and under the Earthquake

section, search for “Strengthen Chimneys” for

specific strengthening instructions.

Figure 31 - Photo showing damaged chimney 

removed. Note that the fireplace is now not 

functional.

California Seismic Safety Commission

$2,000 to $12,000 $15,000 to total value of home (if completely destroyed)

 Comparison of Cost: Preventing vs. Repairing Earthquake Damage

 Project Cost Cost to Repair After an Earthquake

HOW-TO Strengthen Masonry Chimneys
OTHER

CONCERNS

No Foundation

The Problem Some older houses were built on wood beams laid directly on the ground,

without foundations. These houses may shift during earthquakes, causing

structural damage and breaking utility lines.

How to Identify Look under the house. If you see no concrete or masonry around the outside

walls, the house may lack a foundation.

What Can Be Done You may need to add a foundation to make the house earthquake resistant.

Just as when strengthening or replacing an unreinforced masonry foundation,

you will require the advice of a licensed architect, engineer, or foundation

contractor.

Old Concrete Foundation

The Problem Some older concrete foundations were made with sand or stone that interacted

chemically over time, and the concrete eventually crumbles and becomes too

soft to withstand earthquake forces.

How to Identify Inspect the foundation for large cracks in the concrete, concrete crumbling off

the foundation, or concrete crumbling when you pick at it with a screwdriver.

What Can Be Done You may need to replace some or all of the foundation. You should consult a

licensed foundation contractor or an engineer.

Foundations

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 23
OTHER

CONCERNS

24 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners

The Problem The design and construction features of some homes make them vulnerable to

earthquake damage, especially if these homes are not specifically designed and

built to resist earthquakes. Homes at risk are those with irregular shapes, large

windows (which can break in earthquakes and scatter shards of glass), more than

two stories, irregular walls, or porches and overhangs.

How to Identify Many homes with these features are strong enough to withstand earthquakes and it

is difficult to tell whether such homes need strengthening. If you have doubts about

one or more of these features in your home, or in a home you are planning to buy,

you should consult a licensed architect or engineer for an assessment.

What Can Be Done A professional can advise you on how to identify and fix earthquake weaknesses if

necessary. For example, large windows can be made safer by applying plastic film

on them.

Homes with Unique Designs
The Problem

Natural gas piping and appliances can be damaged

during earthquakes, causing gas leaks.

If ignited, this can result in fires that can burn part

of, or, the entire house.

About one in four fires after an earthquake is

related to natural gas leaks.

Gas leaks after an earthquake are more likely if:

 There are structural weaknesses.

 Gas appliances are not anchored.

 Flexible pipe connections are not used.

The primary concern is property loss from fire

damage.

The potential for life loss is limited since most

single-family homes have several safe exits.

How to Identify

 Examine all natural gas appliances (water

heaters, dryers, stoves, ovens, furnaces) to

see if they are anchored to the floor or walls,

and have flexible pipe connections.

Plan Ahead

Locate your gas meter outside your home.

Identify the exact location of the shutoff valve and

make sure that you have access to it.

Make sure you have a wrench that is readily

available to turn off the gas when needed.

NATURAL GAS SAFETY

Figure 32 - Manual shutoff valve location.

Close-up view of Valve

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 25
26 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners

Manual Gas Shutoff

 The most cost-effective way to manage the

risk from natural gas is to know how and when

to manually shut off the gas.

 Use the wrench to turn off the manual valve

located at the gas meter (See Figure 32, page

25).

 Shut off your gas only if you:

 Smell gas

 Hear gas escaping

 Suspect a broken gas pipe, appliance,

vent, or flue

Remember

 Once the gas has been shut off, service can

be restored only by utility personnel or

qualified plumbers.

 High demands for qualified personnel after an

earthquake can lead to substantial delays in

restoring natural gas service.

Resources

Go to www.fema.gov, and under the Earthquake

section, search for “Retrofit Gas and Water Lines”

for retrofitting instructions.

Publication: Improving Natural Gas Safety in

Earthquakes. California Seismic Safety

Commission, Adopted July 11, 2002. Available

online at http://www.seismic.ca.gov/pub/

CSSC_2002-03_Natural%20Gas%20Safety.pdf.

Automatic Gas Shutoff Options

There are a variety of automatic gas shut-off valves

available. These cost more than manual shutoff

valves and may provide additional safety, but may

also have some disadvantages.

The types of valves available include:

 Earthquake shake-actuated valves

 Excess flow valves

 Methane detectors

 Hybrid systems

 Others

These can be installed on the “customer owned”

side of the gas meter.

Consult your local Building Department because:

 Some installations will require building permits.

 Some local jurisdictions have adopted

ordinances requiring automatic gas shutoff

devices at the time of sale or during significant

renovations.
 Decide which strengthening project or projects

you are going to do.

 Get the necessary building permits first.

 If you are “doing-it-yourself,” you still need

the proper permits.

 For more complex projects, have a licensed

architect or engineer draw up the necessary

plans and specifications.

 Interview two or three architects or

engineers.

 Ask for references or former clients.

 Talk to references or former clients.

 Compare experience, ideas, and fees.

 Submit the plans for approval to your local

building department.

 Remember: the building codes are

designed for your safety.

There are many publications that describe

strengthening projects in detail.

Visit the California Seismic Safety Commission’s

website at www.seismic.ca.gov, which provides

many useful links.

 Get the documents that relate to your project

and read them.

 This will help you to better understand what

the architect or engineer is doing, and also

what the contractor is doing.

 The International Existing Building Code

Appendix Chapter 3 contains the best current

guidelines. Ask your local Building Department

to review a copy.

 Select your licensed contractor.

 First make sure the contractor is properly

licensed.

 Interview at least two or three contractors.

 Ask your licensed architect or engineer for

recommendations.

 Ask for references or former clients.

 Talk to references or former clients.

 Compare experience, fees, and terms of

contract.

 Get at least three written bids for the

construction work.

 The lowest bid may not be the best bid.

 Keep all plans, permits, and other records of

your strengthening project.

 Provide future buyers of your home with

these.

If your home has been designated as “historical,”

you also may need to comply with local regulations

regarding historical structures.

 Contact your local Building Department for

further help with this.

REMEMBER

Whether you do it yourself, or hire a contractor,

you need permits from your local Building

Department.

It costs far less to correct earthquake weaknesses

before an earthquake than to repair the damage

after an earthquake.

If your home is damaged in an earthquake, you will

probably also have other costs such as lodging,

medical, etc.

GETTING THE WORK DONE

DON’T HESITATE – MITIGATE!

PLANS, PERMITS, AND CONTRACTORS

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 27
AFTER A DISASTER –

HIRE A LICENSED CONTRACTOR!

After a Disaster...

DO NOT:

 Rush into repairs, no matter how badly they

are needed.

 Hire the first contractor who comes along.

 Accept verbal promises.

DO:

 Get proof that the person you are dealing with

is a licensed contractor appropriate for the

work to be done.

 Get the contractor’s license number and verify

that it is current and valid.

 Get a written contract that contains all the

details of the job to be performed.

 Get at least three bids.

 Check references of other work the contractor

has done, if possible, in your area.

 Develop a payment schedule with the

contractor.

 Consider a completion bond on large projects.

Avoid Payment Pitfalls

 Try to limit your down payment. Some

State laws limit the amount of money a

contractor can request as a down

payment. Contact your State or local

consumer agency to find out what the

law is in your area.

 Try to make payments during the project

contingent on completion of a defined

amount of work. This way, if the work is

not proceeding according to schedule,

the payments are also delayed.

 Withhold at least 10% of the total

contract price until the project is

complete.

 Do not make final payment until:

 The building department has signed

off on it,

 You are satisfied with the job, and

 You take a final walk-through to

make sure work is complete and

done correctly.

28 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners
Geologic Hazards GEOLOGIC HAZARDS

Sellers of real estate may be required to disclose

to buyers certain information regarding natural

hazards that can affect the property being sold. In

addition to flood and fire hazard information,

disclosure of seismic hazards may also be required.

This section:

 Describes briefly the basic geology-related

hazards, and

 Introduces the government mapping programs that define which areas are susceptible to those hazards.

Ground Shaking:

 Ground shaking causes 99% of the earthquake damage to homes.

 Areas near large active faults are more likely

to be shaken severely than areas in the rest

of the state.

Landslide:

 Earthquakes can also trigger landslides.

 Earthquake shaking can cause the soil and

rock to slide off a slope, ripping apart homes

on the slope and/or crushing homes downhill

(See Figure 33).

Fault Rupture:

 An actual crack forms and the ground is

offset along the two sides of a fault during an

earthquake (See Figure 34).

 A house built over an active fault can be torn

apart if the ground ruptures beneath it.

 If the house is built over a “creeping” fault –

one that moves slowly with no earthquakes or

a series of very small earthquakes – the

damage may not be noticed for some time.

Patrica Grossi and Augustin Rodriguez, EERI

Figure 33 - Landslide, San Simeon Earthquake,

December 22, 2003. Landslides on San Gregorio Road in

Atascadero, California, only a short distance away from

where the homes with the most damage were located.

Robert A. Eplett, OES, CA

Figure 34 - Fault Rupture. Landers Earthquake of June 28,

1992, produced a surface rupture of over 50 miles along faults

in the Mojave Desert.

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 29
Lateral Spreading:

n	Intense shaking during an earthquake can 

cause the soil to break into blocks that move 

apart from each other. This can cause 

damage to the foundation of a house (See 

Figure 35).

Liquefaction:

n	During earthquakes, loose, wet sandy soil can 

become almost like quicksand, and lose its 

ability to support structures. This can cause 

the foundation of a house to sink, break, or tilt 

(See Figure 36).

Tsunami:

n	A tsunami is a series of large sea waves 

caused by an underwater earthquake or landslide.

n	Coastal areas are prone to tsunami damage.

n	Tsunami waves can come from a great distance and can cause flooding or wash away 

houses in low-lying areas along the shore.

Dam Failure:

n	Earthquake damage to a dam can cause 

sudden and devastating flooding of houses 

downstream.

n	During the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake, 

the Lower San Fernando Dam above the San 

Fernando Valley was damaged. Had it failed, 

it would have flooded the homes below, causing many deaths and injuries. (See Figure 

37). Risk of an aftershock forced residents 

in an 11-square-mile area to evacuate for the 

next 3 days.

Recommendation:

If you live in a low-lying coastal area or a 

dam inundation zone, become familiar with 

evacuation routes to higher ground and be 

prepared to evacuate such areas immediately 

after an earthquake.

Figure 35 - Lateral Spreading, Loma Prieta Earthquake, 

October 17, 1989. Lateral spreading damaged levee road 

along the San Lorenzo River.

NISEE Clearinghouse Project

Figure 36 - Loma Prieta Earthquake, October 17, 

1989. Lateral spreading, liquefaction and sand boils caused 

extensive damage in the Marina District of San Francisco, 

about 60 miles away from the epicenter.

Walt Hayes

Figure 37 - Lower San Fernando Dam that was badly 

damaged by the 1971 San Fernando Earthquake.

Robert A. Page, David M. Boore and Robert F.

Yerkes, USGS

30 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners
Earthquake Hazard Mapping

Enormous progress has been made in

understanding how, why, and where earthquakes

occur. This has led to the creation of maps that

highlight areas having the highest likelihood of

damaging earthquakes.

Five mapping programs have been developed to

help people lead safer lives in earthquake country.

U.S. Geologic Survey National Seismic

Hazard Maps

The USGS provides seismic hazard assessments

for the United States and areas around the world.

These hazard maps serve as the basis for seismic

provisions used in building codes and influence

billions of dollars of new construction every year.

For more information about seismic hazard

analysis, the USGS maps, and the underlying data

on which they are based, visit the USGS website

at http://earthquake.usgs.gov/hazmaps/.

The earthquake hazards map on page 3 of this

Guide is based on the USGS Seismic Hazard Map

for the Coterminous United States, available from

the USGS website at http://eqhazmaps.usgs.gov/

html/map_graphic.html.

Earthquake Fault Zone Maps

These maps show active earthquake faults prone

to surface ruptures and identify a 1,000-foot-wide

zone with the fault line at the center.

Seismic Hazard Zone Maps

These maps show areas where landslides and

liquefaction are most likely to occur during earthquakes.

Tsunami Inundation and Evacuation

Route Maps

Maps for the Pacific Coast show areas where

low-lying regions are exposed to tsunami inundation. These maps are in various stages of preparation and availability. More information about

tsunamis and tsunami mapping is available from

the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program, Center for Tsunami Inundation Mapping

Efforts, at http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tsunami/

time/.

Dam Inundation Maps

These maps show the areas below major dams

that may be flooded in the event of their failure.

How Are These Maps Used?

The zones defined by the maps are at greatest

potential risk when a major earthquake occurs.

This is particularly the case when the earthquake

occurs during or shortly after a heavy rainfall,

which increases the likelihood of liquefaction and

landslides.

Special geotechnical studies are required before

buildings can be built in Earthquake Fault Zones

or Seismic Hazard Zones.

Your local building or planning department can

show you copies of USGS seismic hazard maps

and other earthquake hazard maps that may be

available for your community.

The seller of real estate within a hazard zone

may be required to disclose that the property

lies within such a zone at the time of sale.

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 31
32 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners

1. IF YOU ARE INDOORS—STAY THERE! “DROP, COVER, AN

HOLD ON.” Get under a sturdy desk or table and hang on to it, or

move into a hallway or get against an inside wall. Stay clear of windows, fireplaces, and heavy furniture or appliances. Get out of the 

kitchen, which is a dangerous place in earthquakes since it’s full of 

things that can fall on you. Don’t run downstairs or rush outside while 

the building is shaking or while there is danger of falling and hurting

yourself or being hit by falling glass or debris.

	2. IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE—GET INTO THE OPEN, away from buildings, power lines, chimneys, and anything else that might fall on you.

	3. IF YOU ARE DRIVING—STOP, but carefully. Move your car as far

out of traffic as possible. Do not stop on or under a bridge or overpass or under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs. Stay inside 

your car until the shaking stops. When you resume driving, watch for 

breaks in the pavement, fallen rocks, and bumps in the road.

	4. IF YOU ARE ON OR NEAR A STEEP HILLSIDE, WATCH OUT FOR 

LANDSLIDES, falling rock, trees, and other debris that could be loosened by earthquakes.

If You Feel a Strong Earthquake or Receive a 

Tsunami Warning When You are on the Coast 

1. DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON. Watch for falling objects until t

earthquake is over.

2. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND or inland away from the coast immediately. A tsunami may be coming. Go on foot if possible. The fir

waves may reach the coast within minutes after the ground shaking

stops. The first wave is almost never the largest. Later waves may 

be spaced tens of minutes apart and can continue arriving for many 

hours.

3. THERE MAY BE NO TIME FOR AUTHORITIES TO ISSUE

WARNING. If you do not hear an evacuation announcement, but notice a sudden drop or rise in water level or hear a loud noise coming 

from the water, nature may be warning you of impending danger.

4. STAY AWAY FROM THE COAST. Do not return to the shore after 

first wave. Waves may continue to arrive for hours.

5. LISTEN TO A RADIO FOR AN “ALL CLEAR” before returning to 

shore.

WHAT TO DO DURING AN 

EARTHQUAKE

COVER!

HOLD ON!

DROP!
Be sure you have these basic supplies on hand:

 Fire extinguisher

 Adequate supplies of medications that you or family members

are taking

 Crescent and pipe wrenches to turn off gas and water supplies

 First-aid kit and handbook

 Flashlights with extra bulbs and fresh batteries

 Portable battery-powered radio or television and extra fresh

batteries

 Water for each family member for at least 3 days (allow at least

1 gallon per person per day) and purification tablets or chlorine

bleach to purify drinking water from other sources

 Canned and packaged foods, enough for 3 days, and at least an

additional 4-day supply readily accessible for use if you are

confined to home. Don’t forget a mechanical can opener and

extra pet food!

 Camp stove or barbecue to cook on outdoors (store fuel out of

the reach of children)

 Waterproof, heavy-duty plastic bags for waste disposal

 Copies of personal identification, such as driver’s licenses,

passports, and work identification badges, and copies of medical prescriptions and credit cards

 An extra set of car keys and house keys

 Matches in waterproof container

 Map of the area marked with places you could go and their

telephone numbers

 Cash and coins

 Special items, such as denture needs, contact lenses and

supplies, extra eyeglasses, and hearing aid batteries

 Items for seniors, disabled persons, or anyone with serious

allergies

 Items for infants, such as formula, diapers, bottles, pacifiers,

powdered milk, and medications not requiring refrigeration

What to Do Before, During, and After an Earthquake

The information contained in this section does not represent weaknesses in the earthquake resistance of

homes. It is valuable information to keep in mind to reduce risks to yourself, your family, and your home.

These lists are only highlights of the actions you should take.

Gather Emergency

Supplies

WHAT TO DO How-To’s BEFORE AN

EARTHQUAKE

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 33
34 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners

Plan Ahead

1. Create a family disaster plan; practice and maintain the plan.

2. Make and complete a checklist.

3. Plan home escape routes.

4. Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills at least twice a

year and include your pets in your evacuation and sheltering

drills.

5. Test your smoke alarms once a month (daylight savings time or

birthdays) and replace batteries at least once a year in batterypowered smoke alarms.

6. Make sure each member of your family knows what to do no

matter where they are when earthquakes occur.

 Establish two meeting places where you can all reunite afterward: one right outside your home, in case of a sudden

emergency, and one outside your neighborhood in case you

cannot return home or are asked to leave your neighborhood.

 Find out about the earthquake plan developed by your

children’s school or day care.

 Remember that since transportation may be disrupted, you

may have to stay at your workplace for a day or two following

a major earthquake. Keep some emergency supplies—food,

liquids, and comfortable shoes, for example—at work.

 Pick two out-of-town contacts:

 A friend or relative who will be your household’s primary

contact,

 A friend or relative who will be your household’s

alternative contact.

7. Know where your gas, electric, and water main shutoffs are and

how to turn them off if there is a leak or electrical short; if in

doubt, ask your utility companies. Make sure that all the older

members of your family can shut off the utilities.

8. Locate your nearest fire and police stations and emergency

medical facility. Remember that telephones may not work after

an earthquake. If you can, use your land line rather than your cell

phone to call 911, but only if you need emergency help.

9. Talk to your neighbors—how could they help you, or you help

them, after an earthquake?

10. Take a Red Cross first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation

(CPR) training course.

11. Make arrangements with friends or relatives to temporarily house

your pets after disasters because emergency shelters will not

accept pets.

12. If your home is located near a steep hillside, in an area near the

shore of a body of water or below a dam, check with your local

building or planning department to see if you are in a landslide,

tsunami or dam inundation zone. Plan for how, when, and where

your family should evacuate.
1. If a person is bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound. Use

clean gauze or cloth, if available.

2. If a person is not breathing, administer rescue breathing. The

front pages of many telephone books contain instructions on

how to do it along with detailed instructions on other first-aid

measures.

3. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they

are in immediate danger of further injury.

4. Cover injured persons with blankets to keep them warm.

5. Seek medical help for serious injuries.

1. Fire or fire hazards. Put out fires in your home or neighborhood

immediately. Call for help, but don’t wait for the fire department.

2. Gas leaks. Shut off the main gas valve only if you suspect a

leak because of broken pipes or the odor of natural gas. Don’t

turn it back on yourself—wait for the gas company to check for

leaks.

3. Damaged electrical wiring. Shut off power at the control box if

there is any damage to your house wiring.

4. Downed or damaged utility lines. Do not touch downed power

lines or any objects in contact with them.

5. Spills. Clean up any spilled medicines, drugs, or other potentially

harmful materials such as bleach, lye, and gasoline or other

hazardous materials.

6. Downed or damaged chimneys. Approach chimneys with

caution. They may be weakened and could topple during

aftershocks. Don’t use a fireplace with a damaged chimney—it

could start a fire or let poisonous gases into your house.

7. Fallen items. Beware of items tumbling off shelves when you

open the doors of closets and cupboards.

WHAT TO DO AFTER AN

EARTHQUAKE

Check for Injuries

Check for Hazards

Wear sturdy shoes to avoid injury from broken glass and debris.

Expect aftershocks.

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 35
Note: The information in these

sections is reproduced in

whole or in part with the

permission of the copyright

owner, SBC. The Survival

Guide is available in the White

Pages of SBC Directories ©

SBC 2004. This information

was provided by medical and

emergency service authorities

and published as a public

service. While every

reasonable effort was made to

ensure its accuracy, SBC is not

responsible and assumes no

liability for any action

undertaken by any person in

utilizing such information. Any

person relying upon such

information does so at his or

her own risk.

 Do not eat or drink anything from open containers near

shattered glass.

 Do not turn the gas on again if you turned it off; let the gas

company do it.

 Do not use matches, lighters, camp stoves or barbecues,

electrical equipment—including telephones—or appliances

until you are sure there are no gas leaks. They may create

sparks that could ignite leaking gas and cause an explosion

and fire.

 Do not use your telephone, except for a medical or fire

emergency. You could tie up lines needed for emergency

response.

If you need help and the phone doesn’t work, send someone for help.

 Do not expect firefighters, police, or paramedics to help you

right away. They may not be available.

Do Not . . .

1. If power is off, plan meals to use up foods that will spoil quickly, or

frozen foods. If you keep the door closed, food in your freezer

should be good for at least a couple of days.

2. Don’t light your kitchen stove if you suspect a gas leak.

3. Use barbecues or camp stoves, outdoors only, for emergency

cooking.

4. If your water is off, you can drink supplies from water heaters,

melted ice cubes, or canned vegetables. Try to avoid drinking

water from swimming pools or, especially, spas—it may have too

many chemicals in it to be safe.

Check Your Food and

Water Supplies

36 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners
Resource Organizations

Some of the organizations listed below have information to help you strengthen your home against earthquakes and help you and your family prepare a personal earthquake response plan. Other resources that

can help you may be available in your community; check your local telephone directory.

Structural Safety Information

American Institute of Architects

Local chapters have referral lists of licensed

architects; consult telephone directory listing for

“American Institute of Architects.”

http://www.aia.org

American Society of Civil Engineers

1801 Alexander Bell Drive

Reston, VA 20191

Telephone: (800) 548-2723

http://www.asce.org

American Society of Home Inspectors

932 Lee Street, Suite 101

Des Plaines, IL 60016

Telephone: (800) 743-2744

http://www.ashi.com

Referral list of licensed inspectors.

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headquarters

500 C Street, SW.

Washington, DC 20472

Telephone: (800) 621-FEMA

http://www.fema.gov

FEMA provides a wide variety of information

suitable for the homeowner, including the

availability of, and registration for, Federal

disaster aid programs after a damaging

earthquake or other disasters.

International Code Council

5203 Leesburg Pike, Suite 600

Falls Church, VA 22041

Telephone: 1-888-ICC-SAFE

http://www.iccsafe.org

National Council of Structural Engineers

Associations

645 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 540

Chigago, IL 60611

Telephone: (312) 649-4600

http://www.ncsea.com

National Fire Protection Association

1 Batterymarch Park

Quincy, MA 02169

Telephone: (617) 770-3000

http://www.nfpa.org

Geologic Information

United States Geological Survey

National Center

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive

Reston, VA 20192

Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS

http://earthquake.usgs.gov

This is the Federal agency responsible for

geological and earthquake hazard research,

mapping, and policy. It provides maps and other

information to the general public.

States, Cities, and Counties

Consult your telephone directory under State, city,

or county government listings for the office of

emergency services or disaster management;

city or county building and planning department; and

State, city, or county government geologist.

Emergency Planning Information

American Red Cross

Consult your telephone directory for the address

and phone number of your local chapter.

http://www.redcross.org

Geologic Hazards RESOURCE ORGANIZATIONS

Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners 37
38 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headquarters

500 C Street, SW.

Washington, DC 20472

Telephone: (800) 621-FEMA

http://www.fema.gov