NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The earthquake that hit Hawaii this weekend is a needed reminder about how vulnerable our own homes may be in the event of an earthquake. In today's top tips we'll tell you what you can do to make your home safe and secure.

Your standard homeowners policy does not cover earthquakes. You'll have to buy a separate policy. And given that about 90 percent of Americans live in areas considered seismically active, it's a good idea to check into these policies. In fact, only about 15 percent of homeowners have earthquake insurance, according to a recent report by insurance rating company AM Best.

To gauge your area's risk of an earthquake you can go to the Web site of the US Geologic Survey. Since premiums vary on where you live, talk to your insurer. Since earthquake insurance is a type of catastrophic coverage, most policies carry a high deductible - usually anywhere from 10 to 15 percent of your coverage limit.

This means that for a home currently insured at $200,000, you would have to pay $10,000 to $30,000 on damages before the insurance company would pay anything. Cars are covered for earthquake damage under the comprehensive part of the auto insurance policy.

The kitchen can be one of the most dangerous areas of your home because of shattered glass or spilled chemicals. Keep your cleaning products and your chemicals stored at floor level.

It's also a good idea to install "Child proof" latches on your cabinets in the kitchen and the bathroom. These latches will prevent dishes and other and heavy objects from falling out of the cabinets. Store the heaviest items on the lower shelves.

You'll want to move your bed away from the window. Make sure there are no pictures or mirrors mounted on the wall above the bed. Keep a pair of shoes and a flashlight underneath the bed. If a quake happens at night, you'll probably won't have any electricity and you should protect your feet from broken glass or fallen debris.

Locate your gas, electrical, and water shutoff. You may want to paint these white or florescent so the area be visible when it's smoky. Have a wrench next to your gas shutoff. Call your local gas company to find out exactly how to do this. Generally they'll send a representative to show you the right procedure. Do not turn the gas valve back on after an earthquake, unless a qualified person has checked extensively for gas leaks.

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