In 2024, small things can help prep for next big quake

No one knows exactly what 2024 will bring, but we all know that the Bay Area is earthquake country and that the next quake could strike at any time. Did you know that California has more than 500 active faults and that most Californians live within 30 miles of an active fault?

The greater San Francisco

Bay Area is sitting on top of three major faults and scientists say there is a 98% chance of a magnitude 6.0 or greater quake hitting the Bay Area in the future.

Many of us remember the magnitude 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 that killed 63 people, injured thousands and caused about $6 billion in damage, including destroying parts of Interstate 880 in Oakland and rendering the San Francisco Bay Bridge unusable for about a month.

As we step into the New

Year, one of the most important resolutions you can make is to help protect your family, your loved ones and yourself from preventable earthquake damage.

Here are four things you can do to prepare this year.

• Get organized with an emergency safety kit. Create an easy-to-reach emergency kit with essentials for each family member — and your pets. The American Red Cross recommends a three-day supply of food and water, along with items such as medications, a cell phone charger, flashlights, a first aid kit and a whistle for signaling help. These emergency supplies can make a big difference after an earthquake or other emergency.

• Strengthen your house. Take some time to learn about your home and understand its unique structural risks. Many older homes in the Bay Area — especially those built before 1980 — are at risk of earthquake damage because of outdated building codes.

And did you know that many homeowners in the Bay Area may be eligible for the Earthquake Brace+Bolt grant program? EBB offers up to $3,000 to qualifying homeowners to help them strengthen their homes with a seismic retrofit. The program has helped more than 23,000 California homeowners strengthen their homes and help protect their families from earthquake damage. Registration for EBB opens Wednesday — visit EarthquakeBraceAndBolt.com to learn more.

Different house styles may need different safety measures. Raised foundation homes, living space over garage homes, post and pier homes, hillside homes, and mobile/manufactured homes are all common types of houses throughout the Bay Area, and each has unique vulnerabilities. Visit StrengthenYourHouse.com to learn more about your home type and the specific retrofit you might need.

• Create an emergency plan. Communication is key during emergencies, especially because some family members may not be at home during an earthquake. Text messages may work better than phone calls during and after seismic events, so make sure everyone has emergency contact information saved on their phone, memorized, or written down. Practice your preparedness plan and keep copies in easy-to-reach locations. And make sure all family members know where the emergency supplies are kept.

• Secure your home. Look around your home and identify anything that could be a risk if the ground starts to shake. During an earthquake, heavy furniture can topple over if it's not anchored and secured to studs. Move large, heavy items away from doors. Install flexible connections for gas lines and appliances to reduce fire risk.

Brace overhead fixtures that could come crashing down and move beds away from windows. A lot of earthquake injuries are caused by household items and furniture falling and hitting people — taking simple precautions can reduce the risk of injury and help protect your family.

It is not a matter of if the next big quake will strike the Bay Area, it's when. Make earthquake preparedness a priority this New Year. Organize supplies, create an emergency plan, secure your living space and understand your home's structural risks.

Prepare for the next earthquake now and rest easier knowing you've taken concrete steps to protect your home and family for many years to come.

Help protect your family, your loved ones and yourself from preventable earthquake damage.