Securing Heavy Items While Hardening Your Home with Earthquakes in Mind
During an Earthquake, unsecured heavy items such as furniture, appliances, and decor can become dangerous projectiles, posing a risk to occupants and causing significant property damage. Properly securing these items helps prevent tipping, sliding, or falling, which minimizes the risk of injury and enhances your home’s earthquake resilience.
This article provides practical tips for anchoring and securing heavy items to keep them in place during seismic events.
Securing Large Furniture
Bookshelves, cabinets, and dressers are some of the most common items to tip over during an earthquake. These large pieces can cause serious injury if they fall, so it’s essential to secure them properly.
Anchor Furniture to Wall Studs: Use heavy-duty Brackets or L-shaped furniture anchors to secure large pieces to wall studs. Place anchors at the top corners of bookshelves, dressers, and cabinets. Use a Stud finder to locate the studs and ensure the brackets are firmly attached. Avoid anchoring solely to Drywall, as this won’t provide sufficient support.
Install Anti-Tip Straps: Anti-tip straps are flexible, adjustable straps that connect furniture to the wall. They allow for slight movement but prevent furniture from tipping over completely. Attach the straps to both the furniture and the wall studs. This is especially useful for tall and narrow items, which are more prone to tipping.
Secure Shelving Units with Brackets: If you have wall-mounted shelving units, reinforce them with Steel brackets attached to wall studs. Make sure the brackets are rated for the weight of the shelves and their contents. Avoid overloading shelves, and place heavier items on lower levels to improve stability.
Anchoring Appliances
Large appliances, like refrigerators, washing machines, and water heaters, can shift or tip over during an earthquake, damaging both the appliance and surrounding areas. Securing these items is crucial to protect them from damage and maintain safety.
Use Appliance Straps for Stability: Appliance straps, also known as earthquake straps, are designed to hold heavy appliances in place. Attach one end of the strap to the appliance and the other to the wall, ensuring it’s anchored to wall studs. Use these straps on items like refrigerators, ovens, and freezers, which are typically heavy and top-heavy.
Install Anti-Skid Pads or Mats: For smaller appliances, such as microwaves, dishwashers, and tabletop items, use anti-skid pads or mats. These pads provide traction and help prevent sliding during an earthquake. Look for pads made from rubber or silicone, which are durable and offer good grip.
Secure Water Heaters with Seismic Straps: Water heaters are large, heavy, and often connected to gas or water lines, making them particularly hazardous if they tip over. Install two seismic straps around the water heater: one near the top and another near the bottom. Anchor the straps to the wall studs with heavy-duty bolts. If you have a gas water heater, consider installing a flexible gas connector to reduce the risk of leaks in the event of movement.
Stabilizing Televisions and Electronics
Electronics, such as televisions, stereos, and computers, are valuable and can be easily damaged during an earthquake. Securing these items helps protect both the devices and nearby occupants.
Use Safety Straps for Televisions: Flat-screen TVs are particularly prone to tipping, especially if they’re on a stand. Secure them with safety straps, attaching one end to the back of the TV and the other to the wall or the TV stand. For wall-mounted TVs, ensure that the wall mount is anchored to studs and is rated to hold the TV’s weight.
Anchor Computers and Monitors: Use Velcro straps or anti-tip straps to secure computers, monitors, and other office equipment to the desk or table. Place heavier equipment on lower surfaces, and avoid overloading shelves or stands. Anti-skid pads can also help prevent movement during shaking.
Place Electronics in Cabinets with Locks: For smaller electronics, consider storing them in cabinets with locking doors or drawers. Locking mechanisms keep the doors closed and prevent items from falling out during seismic activity. This option is particularly useful for gaming consoles, DVD players, and stereo systems.
Securing Artwork, Mirrors, and Wall Decor
Heavy artwork, mirrors, and wall decor can pose serious hazards if they fall. Properly securing these items keeps them in place during an earthquake and reduces the risk of broken glass and injury.
Use Earthquake Hooks for Wall Art: Earthquake hooks are designed to keep wall art and mirrors from falling during seismic activity. These hooks have a closed loop that prevents items from slipping off the hook when the wall shakes. Make sure to anchor the hooks to wall studs, particularly for heavier pieces.
Use Hook-and-Loop Fasteners for Added Security: For larger wall hangings, add hook-and-loop (Velcro) fasteners on the back of the frame and on the wall to provide additional stability. This helps prevent the artwork from swinging or falling off the hook during an earthquake.
Secure Mirrors with Safety Clips: For wall-mounted mirrors, use safety clips at the bottom and sides of the frame to keep them secure. These clips hold the mirror in place, reducing the risk of shattering or detachment during seismic activity. If the mirror is particularly large, add more clips to distribute the weight evenly.
Stabilizing Kitchen and Pantry Items
In the kitchen, unsecured items such as dishes, glassware, and small appliances can shift or fall during an earthquake, leading to breakage and potential injury. Securing these items helps minimize damage and maintain safety.
Install Cabinet Latches: Use child-proof cabinet latches or earthquake latches to keep cabinet doors closed during seismic activity. These latches prevent items from falling out and shattering. Install latches on cabinets that store heavy or fragile items, like dishes, glassware, and cookware.
Place Heavy Items on Lower Shelves: Store heavy items, such as cast iron pots and large mixing bowls, on lower shelves. This reduces the risk of these items falling from high cabinets and causing damage. Place frequently used items within easy reach to minimize the need for climbing or stretching.
Use Non-Slip Drawer Liners: Place non-slip liners in kitchen drawers to keep utensils, glassware, and small items in place. Non-slip liners are particularly useful for organizing fragile items, as they prevent them from sliding or bumping into one another during an earthquake.
Securing Garage and Workshop Equipment
Garages and workshops often contain heavy tools, storage units, and equipment that can shift during an earthquake. Securing these items helps prevent accidents and keeps your workspace organized.
Anchor Heavy Shelving Units: Secure shelving units in the garage or workshop to wall studs using L-brackets or steel braces. Ensure that the shelves are rated to hold the weight of the items stored on them, and avoid overloading shelves with heavy tools or equipment.
Secure Tools and Equipment with Straps: Use heavy-duty straps or chains to secure large equipment, such as tool cabinets, workbenches, and power tools, to the wall or floor. Smaller tools can be stored in locking cabinets or drawers with latches to prevent them from falling out.
Use Hooks and Pegboards for Tool Storage: Pegboards and hooks are ideal for storing hand tools and lightweight equipment. Attach the pegboard securely to wall studs and use locking hooks to keep tools in place. Pegboards keep tools organized and easily accessible, reducing the risk of items falling or being misplaced.
Organizing Storage Rooms and Closets
Storage rooms and closets can be packed with boxes, seasonal items, and other heavy objects. Organizing these spaces and securing their contents reduces the risk of items falling and improves accessibility after an earthquake.
Use Sturdy Storage Shelves: Invest in heavy-duty shelving for storage rooms and closets. Secure the shelves to the wall with brackets or anchors, and place heavier items on the lowest shelves to improve stability. Avoid stacking items too high, as this increases the risk of tipping or falling.
Store Items in Plastic Bins with Lids: Plastic storage bins with tight-fitting lids are an excellent choice for securing seasonal items and supplies. Use bins that can be stacked securely, and place heavier bins on the bottom. Plastic bins are more durable than cardboard boxes and can help protect items from water damage as well.
Secure Closet Doors with Latches: If you have sliding closet doors, consider adding a latch or stopper to keep them closed during an earthquake. For closets with swinging doors, install child-proof latches to prevent the doors from flying open and spilling contents.
Regular Inspections and Maintenance
Regular inspections and maintenance ensure that your securing measures remain effective over time. Replacing worn straps, tightening Screws, and adjusting brackets keep your home prepared for seismic events.
Inspect Straps, Anchors, and Fasteners: Check all straps, anchors, and fasteners for signs of wear or loosening. Replace any damaged components and tighten any loose screws. Regular maintenance helps maintain the stability and effectiveness of your securing measures.
Test Doors, Latches, and Hooks: Test cabinet latches, door locks, and wall hooks periodically to ensure they are functioning properly. Replace any worn or broken latches to keep cabinets and doors secure during an earthquake.
Reorganize and Declutter Annually: Each year, take the time to reorganize storage areas, closets, and shelves. Remove any unnecessary items, and rearrange heavy items to ensure they are safely stored. Decluttering not only improves earthquake safety but also makes your home more functional.
Additional Resources
For more information on earthquake preparedness and securing heavy items, consult these resources:
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): FEMA provides resources on securing heavy items and earthquake preparedness. Visit FEMA’s Earthquake Safety Guide for additional information.
California Earthquake Authority (CEA): The CEA offers tips and guidance on securing heavy items and earthquake retrofitting for homes. Visit CEA’s Resources to learn more about earthquake resilience.
Wrap-Up
Securing heavy items in your home is a crucial step in earthquake preparedness. Anchoring large furniture, stabilizing appliances, and reinforcing wall decor all contribute to a safer home environment during seismic events. By taking proactive measures to secure your belongings, you protect yourself and your loved ones from potential hazards and minimize property damage.
Regular maintenance and thoughtful organization ensure that these safety measures remain effective, providing peace of mind and enhancing your home’s resilience to earthquakes.