I watched in horror the news coverage of the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Japan. The CNN coverage was quite detailed as was the coverage on the Canadian networks. It triggered comments on these networks, comparing this earthquake with the recent earthquake in New Zealand.
What struck me the most was the comment made by more than one reporter, that it was not the earthquake in Japan that did most of the damage. It was not the 8.9m earthquake in Japan that caused significant death, it was the Tsunami that followed. In Japan, New Zealand and Chile the building codes require that the buildings in large urban areas be built to withstand earthquakes. This definitely saved many lives.
We live in a part of the world where building codes are important, and are very high.
Where we live in Ontario, we do not have a real earthquake threat. Our homes and public buildings however are built to survive earthquakes and wind damage.
Because I am in the Electrical Contracting business, I thought of the protection that homeowners are offered by The Ontario Electrical Safety Code. I am also grateful that this code is enforced by The Electrical Safety Authority. When homeowners “DIY” ‘Do It Yourself’ or hire a handyman, or anyone else that is not certified to do this work like a general contractor or kitchen cupboard installer they skip this very important safety tool.
So if it is your thought, that you are saving money by skipping the legally approved inspection system and not hiring a professional to do your work, you are putting the lives of you and your family in danger. If you need a plumber, an electrician or some one to work on your furnace, hire a professional. By doing it ‘Right the First Time’ you are in a sense ‘Earthquake Proofing’ your home.