Kiwis urged to check, prepare properties for earthquakes

The Earthquake Commission (EQC) is encouraging Kiwis to check their homes for earthquake vulnerabilities.

Homeowners are urged to keep their property well maintained, including making sure their homes and their foundations, chimneys, and tall and heavy furniture are secure. The advice comes after recent, widely felt earthquakes in the country.

“A home that’s properly secured to its foundations will likely experience less damage during an earthquake,” EQC director resilience research Hugh Cowan said.  “It’s all about Fix, Fasten, Don’t Forget.

“Time spent checking and improving your home reduces the risk of damage occurring. That means people and their families will be safer and recover more quickly should a natural disaster occur,” he added.

Cowan noted that making improvements to homes alongside other planned maintenance or renovation work is often a more cost-effective way to make a home stronger and safer. He also emphasised seeking help from a professional when performing checks.

Here are steps, as outlined by EQC, households can take that will reduce the risk of damage in a natural disaster and that brokers could potentially pass on to their clients:

• Secure hot water cylinders and furniture to walls;
• If your home has a suspended timber floor, you may be able to go under your house to check foundations are in good condition and that correct fastenings and bracings are in place;
• If you feel at all uncertain when checking your subfloor, ask a licensed building practitioner to carry out a check. They will know how to do this safely, what to look for, and will be able to advise you on what’s required;
• Consider getting a professional to remove a brick or concrete masonry chimney;
• If you’re getting plumbing work done, talk to your plumber about what it might take to replace older clay-style pipes and connections with more flexible fittings that allow for extra movement too.