A woman attaching a bookcase to the wall with metal brackets and a drill. A child is playing under the bookcase. The child is also close to a TV on top of a cabinet.

Make your home safer

Making your home safer will reduce damage during an earthquake and allow you to stay in your home. There are some easy ways to make your property more resilient. If you are unable to do this yourself, get someone to help you.

Use the following checklist as a starter to make your home safe:

Person crouched under a house with a torch checking their foundations.

1. Below the house

Check your foundations

Has there been any excavation around the piles?
Secure the bearers to the piles.
Replace any rotten timber.

A woman attaching a bookcase to the wall with metal brackets and a drill.

2. Inside the house

Secure your T.V, hot water cylinders, free-standing wood burners and heavy or tall furniture.
Are there any unreinforced masonry walls that need extra support?
Have any walls been removed? This can weaken the integrity of the building.

A man on the roof of a house, checking a brick chimney with his hands

3. Ceiling to roof

Secure water header tanks.
Check heavy roofing tiles are tied in place and/or consider replacing with lighter-weight metal roofing.
Check brick chimneys are properly secured, and if not in use, consider removal.
Are the rafters and struts in your roof in good condition? Does it look like any have been removed?
If you need help, get a professional builder in to check your home.

A clipboard with a list of ticks and a house in the background

Note: If you are renting

It's in your landlord’s best interests if your home is still liveable after an earthquake, so talk with them about making your home safer - discuss the key points on the checklist above.

Earthquake Strengthen Your Home

DIY Caution: When doing your own alterations, or if you have any concerns about your property, get advice from a professional Licensed Building Practitioner – builder, architect or designer. If you have any questions about the structural integrity of your home, get a builder to check it out.

Resources

Make your home safer - EQC's information and advice:

Will your home be safe in a natural disaster?  Whether you own your home, rent a property or are thinking of buying, find out what you can do to make your home safer for you and your family or flatmates.
Visit EQC’s website for more information on making your home safer.
Translated resources: View and download EQC's 'Easy ways to quake safe your home' in multiple languages.