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A home with proper earthquake retrofitting can sustain minimal damage in earthquakes of up to 7.0 magnitude, although risks are higher based on how close and deep the earthquake is. A home closer to the earthquake epicenter will sustain greater damage, especially if the earthquake is closer to the surface of the Earth, but retrofitting can help minimize the risk of injuries.

Earthquake gas shut-off valves, or seismic gas shut-off valves, are safety devices that attach to your natural gas line. When an earthquake hits, the valve automatically turns off the flow of gas. Earthquake gas shut-off valves can prevent gas leaks, which are especially dangerous after a quake due to the risk of fire and explosion.

Hearing or feeling vibrations in your house can be unsettling, but there are a few possible causes for a vibrating noise in your wall or floor. Light bulbs and fixtures, circuit breakers, loose pipes, or faulty wiring could all cause vibrations. If you’re not sure what’s causing the vibrations, you can call a contractor to assess your home and narrow down the cause.

According to the Earthquake Country Alliance—a public and private alliance in California that works to improve earthquake and tsunami readiness—reports that unreinforced masonry, such as stone, bricks, and hollow clay tiles, is more susceptible to earthquake damage. The mortar between bricks isn’t as stable as other building materials and methods.