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Contributions of photographs related to details of preparation are needed.
Seismic and seismic event refer to earthquakes, motions of the ground that can be hazardous to the occupants of buildings and the security and utility of structures such as bridges and tunnels. Methods to reduce hazards to structures (presently including low rise houses) are described in the article seismic retrofit. That article only describes methods used and is not intended as a guide for modifying structures. This article provides more specific guidance for the householder.
This article, Household seismic safety is concerned with the following:
There remains much that can be done to enhance home safety by the occupants, even if they are inexperienced mechanically, and some of these methods (such a securing water heaters) may be shown in some detail. Pamphlets showing application of these methods in greater detail are also available from public agencies, but often these show only a minimal and simplistic installation. Effective securing of household equipment and furnishings may require some thought - mostly along the lines of "what could happen", "how heavy is this", and "where are the strong points to secure to". It does little good to screw the back of a bookcase to a wall if the back is (as is common) weakly attached to the bookcase structure. Similary, an expansion bolt through drywall may simply pull through if the load is heavy - one must locate and used stout screws into the underlying wood stud structure.
Preparedness goes beyond mere structure. In a large event it is expected that police, firefighting, and medical assistance will be overwhelmed. The recommendations are that a household should have sufficient water and preserved food to live independently for three days. There are shops specializing in providing emergency equipment supplies, and containers to the homeowner.
There is also considerable neglect at the community level :
At one time, the Boy Scouts of America were a popular organization among families with boys. This organization would encourage their members to learn such important matters of preparedness such as first aid and firefighting, especially as it was related to the possibility of nuclear attack or natural disaster during the Cold War. This organization's motto is Be Prepared. Unfortunately, following a move of headquarters from New York City to the U.S. state of Texas, they became involved in certain social issues that lead to their loss of respect and decline in membership in many areas - particularly in the region of Northern California, one likely location of a major earthquake disaster.
The U.S. Civilian Defense Corps - a product of World War II, was mostly dismantled in the later stages of the cold war, once it appeared that the probability of a major nuclear war was low. At the present time there is a vacuum of preparedness, organization, and abilities to deal with a large event, the appropriate civil organizations are starved for resources, and the political and legislative forces are concerned with other matters ranging from self-important to nonsensical, such as political redistricting and the suppression of the teaching of evolution in the schools.
There are many levels of detail in approach to securing a residence, ranging from providing large steel beams to reenforce a large garage door opening down to putting small dots of "earthquake" wax under small valuable items.