Question: It seems to me that the...

Question: It seems to me that the plaster and wood houses that we have in Southern California are very dangerous in case of earthquakes.

Answer: The earthquakes that rocked Los Angeles last fall caused more than $125 million in damage to homes, businesses and other structures. However, there was very little damage to most residences.

I have lived in Southern California since the mid-1920s, have been through most earthquakes and have found that California housing, particularly that of wood and plaster, is probably the best-suited in case of an earthquake.

In the big earthquake in the 1930s that virtually leveled Long Beach, the buildings made of brick and other materials suffered a great deal more than the common wooden frame structures. In addition, these houses are usually easier to repair.

The biggest problem during an earthquake is the failure of unreinforced masonry buildings. Most of these are older buildings. These structures experience massive cracking in their exterior walls and roof sections collapse.

Once the earthquake is over, do not light a cigarette as there is always the potential of a broken gas main contributing to fire and explosion, which is probably the biggest danger that exists in single residential dwellings.

Q: Is there such a thing as an oven that will smoke meats? I think that these would be very popular if they were available.?

A: There is a product called “The Smoke Pit,” an indoor/outdoor meat smoker manufactured by the Cavel Manufacturing Co., P.O. Box 771, Chickasha, Okla. 73023. This Smoke Pit can be built inside or outside of your home and is operated on a 110 volt outlet.

It is advertised as simple to use. Simply put in the meat and small chunks of hickory, turn on the switch and wait. There are no controls as the maximum temperature of 180 degrees, according to the literature, is perfect for all meats.