Some Modesto homes are more vulnerable to earthquakes and should be retrofit | Opinion
The new year is here, and many of us are trying to figure out what our new year’s resolution should be. Maybe you want to walk more, eat healthier, or read more books.
Bearing in mind the recent, damaging magnitude 6.4 earthquake in Humboldt County, I have a suggestion: protect your home and your family from earthquakes with a seismic retrofit.
Did you know California has more than 500 active faults and most Californians live within 30 miles of one? In fact, the mountains and our own Central Valley have been shaped by earthquakes and we are surrounded by major fault lines. Large quakes from faults in the San Francisco Bay Area or east of the Sierra Nevada can cause powerful shaking and damage homes in our own backyard. In 2019, two powerful quakes struck Ridgecrest in two days with magnitudes of 6.4 and 7.1.
California is earthquake country, and residents should protect their homes and their families with a seismic retrofit, secure heavy objects in their homes and have an emergency plan, just in case. A retrofit is the best way to strengthen your home and make it more resistant to earthquakes. Retrofits help protect your belongings and the home that you have worked so hard for. Learn more at StrengthenMyHouse.com.
Some types of homes at risk
Certain types of homes in Modesto could be more at risk of earthquake damage, such as an older homes built on a raised foundation, or a home with a living space above a garage, as well as a home on a steep hillside.
For example, raised foundation homes built before 1980 are more at risk of earthquake damage because they were built before modern building codes were put in place. The frames of these older houses are often not bolted to their foundations, and the walls surrounding crawl spaces (cripple walls) may lack bracing. These homes can slide or topple off their foundation during an earthquake, which can be expensive to repair.
Earthquakes can shake almost anything, even large or heavy items. What would happen if your entire home was suddenly shaken for a few minutes? Unsecured items like furniture could fall over, resulting in injury and damage to people and property. In the 1994 Northridge quake, most injuries were due to unsecured furniture or objects falling, according to a study from UCLA. A lot of damage could have been avoided if only simple safety steps had been taken ahead of time.
More than 17,000 Californians have protected their families, homes, and belongings with a seismic retrofit. But there are still about 1.2 million vulnerable homes in California that have not yet had one. Has yours? Talk to your family about the importance of earthquake preparedness and resolve to strengthen your house in the new year.
How to protect your home
Check out the Resources page at StrenghtenMyHouse.com.
Know how to turn off the gas or learn if you should have an automatic gas shut-off valve installed that is triggered by strong vibrations.
Place beds away from windows.
Brace overhead light fixtures.
Secure top-heavy furniture to studs.
Brace water heaters with metal straps attached to studs.
Modesto is vulnerable to earthquakes, but there are steps you can take to strengthen your property. Though a seismic retrofit does not guarantee your home won’t be damaged, it can make your home more resilient to earthquakes.
With all the craziness in the world today, people understand more than ever that a strong, safe home is the best way to protect and nurture a family. This year, resolve to retrofit your home.