The Insurance Information Network of California has come out with a list of 10 things homeowners can do to try and prepare for potential earthquakes. With the recent seismic activity in our area – and throughout the world – it wouldn’t be a bad idea to read through list and see what small changes can greatly help your home and families future.

1. Retrofit your home: Bolt the frame to the foundation, and re-enforce joints and other parts of the structure to make more quake resistant.
2. Secure: Tie water heater, heavy furniture, bookcases filing cabinets to the walls so that they don’t topple over and injure you.
3. Inventory: List your possessions. Keep it in a safe location outside of the home or e-mail it to yourself so that it can be downloaded from any computer.
4. Insure: Update earthquake and homeowner policies. Understand your coverage and make sure that the policy limits closely reflect the cost of your home’s reconstruction.
5. Shut offs: Make sure everyone in the home knows location of the main gas, electric and water shut-off valves or switches — and how to shut them off.
6. Contacts: Have an out-of-state contact for all family members to check in with should you be separated during an earthquake. Designate a family meeting place.
7. Supplies: Keep emergency gear and necessities on hand, including flashlight, battery-operated radio, first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, extra supplies of food and water, medication and blankets.
8. Pets: Don’t forget them — and include supplies for them, including food and water.
9. React #1: If you are indoors when an earthquake hits, don’t run out of the building. Do the “Drop, Cover and Hold,” — drop to your knees, get under a table or desk and hold on until the shaking stops. Remember more people are hurt from flying debris than from building collapses.
10. React #2: If your home is damaged, contact your insurance company or agent immediately. Make only emergency repairs and save the receipts, until a claims adjuster has reviewed the damage.