ARE YOU PREPARED AND PROPERLY COVERED?

January 17 Marks the 17th Anniversary of Catastrophic Northridge Quake.

On January 17th 1994, the Northridge earthquake violently shook the San Fernando Valley in Southern California causing lives to be lost and wide-spread catastrophic damage. The magnitude 6.7 quake caused an estimated $15 billion dollars in damage. Based on a data call by the Department of Insurance, almost 90% of homeowners and renters do not have earthquake insurance.

Earthquake preparedness includes the following:

. Review your insurance policies at least once each year with your agent or broker to ensure that they provide adequate coverage.
. Consider purchasing an earthquake policy if your home is in an earthquake-prone area, doesn't meet current building standards, or is built upon unstable ground.
. Take measures to retrofit your home to increase your safety during an earthquake.
. Brace your water heater to minimize the risks of fire and water damage caused by water heaters that topple during earthquakes.
. Bolting your home's wood frame to its foundation can prevent damage resulting from the structure sliding off its foundation. And for houses on raised foundations, the bracing of "cripple walls" can also reduce damage from earthquakes.
. Mobile home owners should use earthquake-bracing systems to reduce the chance of damage from homes slipping off support jacks.
. Fasten cupboard doors with child-proof latches to prevent them from opening and spilling their contents.
. Fasten bookcases, mirrors, televisions and other tall or heavy objects to wall studs.
. Gas appliances should have flexible attachments, and family members should be familiar with gas shut-off techniques.