On January 17, 1994, the devastating Northridge earthquake struck the city of Los Angeles, California. At a shattering momentum of 6.7, the earthquake destroyed thousands of homes, caused 75 deaths and over 9,000 injuries. Nearly $20 billion dollars were estimated in damages to the city, including apartment buildings which were split into two, collapsed homes, broken sidewalks and driveways, and many other serious ramifications in several neighboring cities.

Damage reached as far as 85 miles away from the epicenter, leaving much of the San Fernando Valley in ruins. As a result the real estate market took a negative downturn, creating added economic distress for those affected.

In California, earthquakes pose a constant threat, essentially since much of California resides on an active fault. Therefore, in order to ensure the safety of your home, loved ones, and precious belongings, it is imperative to reinforce your structures, a sort of "earthquake proofing" insurance.

First thing to do would be to contact a construction company that specializes in reinforcing, retrofitting and house bolting homes, aiding in the prevention of earthquake damage for your home. You can have them do foundation bolting and the bracing of cripple walls (short stud walls between the floor and foundation of some houses) by using structural-grade plywood which, if needed, provides greater resistance to earthquakes.

An earthquake retrofit is the process of firmly attaching a house to its concrete foundation using foundation plates and anchor bolts. Because California is "earthquake country," the up-and-down and side-to-side motion of an earthquake can shake an unbolted house off its foundation, making for a very costly repair job.

By taking these steps, along with proper floor securing measures, you can better equip your home with the strength to fight these extreme disasters. The Northridge earthquake left a lasting impression on those who endured its wrath and yet, much of the damage could have been avoided if these properties had been properly retrofitted. Therefore it seems only sensible to take such precautions as a resident in California.

Many believe the next "big one" is on its way, which stresses the importance of taking proper safety measures before the next disaster takes your home, or your life. And when it comes to the safety of your loved ones and home, it is important to choose an expert. January 17, marks the anniversary of this disparaging catastrophe, and to start off the New Year, it’s only logical to prepare for the future.