Bay Area LIFE: Learn how to prepare your home for the next big quake

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Houses that lack adequate bolting and bracing, could face serious damage in the event of a major earthquake. In particular, older homes built before 1950 are prime candidates for a seismic retrofit.

Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) was developed to help homeowners lessen the potential for damage to their houses during an earthquake. A residential seismic retrofit strengthens an existing older house, making it more resistant to earthquake activity such as ground shaking and soil failure. The seismic retrofitting involves bolting the house to its foundation and adding bracing around the perimeter of the crawl space.

Owners of houses in program ZIP Codes with house characteristics suitable for this type of retrofit in accordance with California Existing Building Code are eligible for an incentive payment of up to $3,000 to help pay costs associated with the retrofit of their houses.

ABC7 has partnered with the California Earthquake Authority (CEA), one of the world's largest providers of residential earthquake insurance, to help keep your family safe. The CEA encourages California homeowners and renters to reduce their risk of earthquake damage and loss through education, mitigation, and insurance policies to help repair and rebuild damaged homes, and replace valuables and personal belongings. The CEA is not for profit, privately funded, publicly managed and not tied to the state budget.

Click here for more information on the Earthquake Brace + Bolt program.

Click here for more information on the California Earthquake Authority.