​Major earthquakes, as we are well aware, can cause severe damage to a home, but what about parts of the country that experience the occasional minor earth tremor? Should we be concerned about these? The fact is that even a small earthquake can cause damage to property. This is partly due to less strict earthquake preparedness building codes in areas that do not see much seismic activity. So, let's look at some potential weak spots in your home that would benefit from some added support.
 
A good place to start is the home's foundations. The home should be securely fixed to its foundations. It's also important to check for signs of deterioration such as crumbling or cracking in cement foundations. Any ground movement could make this problem a lot worse.
 
Chimneys are another area that can become easily damaged during an earth tremor. This is very dangerous as the chimney may run the risk of falling in on itself, causing serious harm to anyone in the vicinity. If you have an unreinforced masonry chimney, it would be a good idea to secure it, which you can do using sheet metal straps and angle bracing. It would also be wise to avoid having children’s playrooms or play areas near the chimney. 
 
Do you have many large, freestanding appliances in the home, like a water heater, for example? If so, you will want to fix these to a wall which you can do using metal straps.
 
Gas leaks are a common and serious problem after an earthquake. Again, fix any appliances that run on natural gas to the wall or floor. Unless you have an automatic shut off gas valve, it's very important that you clearly label the manual shutoff valve and always have easy access to it so that, if you need to, it can be shut off quickly.
 
These are just some of the areas in the home that may need securing so that they do not become a danger during a minor earthquake. You may also benefit from a home inspection which can help you make a proper assessment.

​On occasion, it might become necessary for you to enter your under-home crawlspace. Before you do this, though, it’s important to be prepared for anything you may encounter in this kind of space. Here are a few of the hazards you may have to confront:
 
If you think about the type of environment a crawlspace under the home creates it’s easy to see why there would dangers down there. In general, they are damp, dark places that often go undisturbed for long periods of time. These conditions are perfect for many kinds of insects, rodents, and animals, some of which may be poisonous. Be aware also that if a creature feels threatened or cornered, the situation could become dangerous. In a tight space like this, it could be difficult to get out of the way quickly.
 
It is not just insects and rodents you will want to watch out for, additional hazards such as mold, fungi, standing water, and even sewage are all found in under the home crawlspaces. All of these things are well known to be dangerous if exposed to them so it's clear to see the need to be extra careful when in close proximity to them.
 
If you suspect the property has sustained any structural damage then it is best to avoid entering the under-home crawlspace altogether, at least until you know the type of damage you are dealing with. The wisest course of action in this situation is to have the home professionally inspected first.
 
How can you prepare yourself to enter an under-home crawlspace? Firstly, make sure you are wearing protective clothing and appropriate equipment before entering the space. You will also want to have someone else at the home with you who knows where you are and what you will be doing down there. This way, they can provide assistance or get help if you run into any difficulties.