You will be able to see straps and screws if your water heater is braced. Make sure the screws are firmly anchored to studs with appropriate screws and that water heater is strapped with heavy plumbers tape. This illustration shows one method of bracing a water heater. New bracing kits are available that make this process simple.

Secure the tops of all top-heavy furniture, such as bookcases and file cabinets, to a wall. Be sure to anchor to the stud, and not just to the drywall. Angle brackets or flexible fasteners such as nylon straps allow tall objects to sway without falling over, reducing the strain on the studs. Store heavy items and breakables on lower shelves. Loose shelving can also be secured by applying earthquake putty on each corner bracket.

Unsecured cabinet doors fly open during earthquakes, allowing glassware and china to crash to the floor. Many types of latches are available to prevent this – heavy childproof latches, hook and eye latches or positive catch latches designed for boats.

Your stove, furnace, clothes dryer, etc; may run on gas. Gas appliances should have flexible connectors to reduce the risk of fire. Unsecured gas appliances may crush someone or rupture their feed line during a quake. If these objects move or topple, the resulting gas leak may destroy your home. A home, which would otherwise have survived with only minor damage. Secure gas appliances to a wall stud and use a flexible gas line that is longer than necessary to allow for some movement. The appliance should be secured top and bottom to prevent tipping, rolling and sliding.

The manual gas shut-off wrench is an essential piece of hardware for any home or business located in any seismically active region. With it a homeowner can manually turn off the gas supply to the home in the event of an earthquake. It can be fastened to the gas main for quick access.

TVs, stereos, computers and microwaves and other electronics are heavy and costly to replace. They can be secured with Velcro or flexible nylon straps and buckles for easy relocation.

Mirrors, framed pictures, and other objects should be hung from closed hooks so that they can’t bounce off the walls. Pictures and mirrors can also be secured at their corners with earthquake putty or Velcro. Only soft art such as tapestries should be placed over beds or sofas.

Collectibles, china, pottery objects, and lamps can become deadly projectiles. Use either hook and loop fasteners on the table and object, or non-damaging adhesives such as earthquake putty, clear quake gel, or microcrystalline wax to secure breakables in place.

Spilled flammable liquids may cause fire and destroy a home that would have survived undamaged. Store all flammable liquids outside, in their original/proper containers, away from structures and vehicles. If you must store flammable liquids in your home, store them in the garage, keep them in a locking cabinet with locking doors, and always store them on the lowest shelf.

Falling window glass is a serious hazard. If a bed must be located under a window, have safety film installed. The cost is approximately $ 2.00 per square foot. The film will hold broken glass together so it will not rain down on your bed when shattered by a major earthquake. The safety film also has the advantage of improving the insulating factor of the window. The energy saving may pay for the cost of the film.

There are cost free protective measures that you can use to protect against broken glass. You can pull down and close shutters or draw drapes. Even blinds that are pulled down, but not closed, offer some additional protection from flying glass.