There are many ways to reduce earthquake damage. 

• Possible actions include:
  • Participating in certification and other programs offered to introduce improved construction techniques to the building industry.
    
    
  • Developing a hazard map with earthquake risk zones.
    
    
  • Using construction techniques that are seismic resistant.
    
    
  • Determining which sites are safe for construction through analysis of the soil type and geological structure.
    
    
  • Instituting incentives to remove unsafe buildings and buildings on unsafe sites or, more probably, to upgrade their level of safety.
    
    
  • Ensuring that future development is on safer sites and apply safer methods of construction through abiding by:
    
    
    • Land use controls (zoning).
      
      
    • Building Codes and standards and means of enforcing them.
      
      
    • Favourable taxation, loans, or subsidies to qualify buildings, methods and sites.
      
      
    • Land development incentives.
      
      
  • Reducing possible damage from secondary effects by:
    
    
    • Identifying potential landslide sites and restricting construction in those areas.
      
      
    • Installing devices that will keep breakages in electrical lines and gas mains from producing fires.
      
      
    • Verifying the capability of dams to resist earthquake forces, and upgrading as necessary.
      
      
  • A high percentage of losses in earthquakes is due to failure of non-structural elements such as ceilings, windows, doors, partitions, cupboard and shelves, external cladding, electrical and mechanical systems, and other components of buildings. Non-structural components comprise 60-80% of the cost of the building.

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