“EARTHQUAKE”

Home Safety

Rooms in the Home.

Look for the following hazards in each room:

1.     Windows and other glass that might shatter.

2.     Unanchored bookcases, cabinets, refrigerators, water heaters and other tall household items that could fall over.

3.     Heating units, fireplaces, chimneys and stoves that could move or fall.

4.     Areas that could be blocked by falling debris.

After locating these potential hazards the following steps should be taken to prevent movement and /or falling:

Securing appliances:

1.     Secure your large appliances with flexible cable, braided wire or plumber’s metal strapping.

2.     Install flexible gas and water connections on all gas appliances and water heaters.

(a.)            The typical water heater weighs about 450 pounds when full. In an earthquake, the floor on which it is standing will move from under the water heated and very often will cause it to topple over and break the glass lining inside and will also rupture the water line, gas and or electrical connections.

(b.)           Wrap metal straps around the water heater in three places securing the strapping to wall studs with long lag screws. (This will help protect an important source of water.)

3.     Brace and support air conditioners and heaters.

Securing items in the bathroom:

1.     Replace all glass bottles with plastic ones.

2.     Replace rigid water connections with flexible lines.

Hanging and Overhead Items:

1.     Inspect and anchor overhead light fixtures, such as Chandeliers.

2.     Move heavy mirrors and pictures hanging above the head of beds, around or behind chairs and sofas where you set or sleep. Otherwise, anchor these items with wire through eyebolts screwed into wall studs.

3.     Determine whether the full swing of your hanging lamps or plants will strike a window.

4.     Closing the eye of hooks used to hang objects can prevent them from falling.

Shelves, Cabinets and Furniture:

1.     Identify top heavy, free standing furniture such as bookcases and China cabinets that could topple during a quake.

2.     Secure these items with “L” brackets, corner brackets or aluminum molding to wall studs.

3.     Place heavy objects on lower shelves.

4.     Use Velcro type fasteners to secure breakable keepsake items.

5.     Secure your cabinet doors by installing slide bolts or childproof latches.

Hazardous Materials:

Identify poisons, solvents, toxic and other dangerous materials in breakable containers and move them to a safe, well ventilated storage area. Keep them away from your water storage and out of the reach of children and pets.

Inspecting and Securing Your Home’s Structure:

Examine the structural safety of your house. If your house is of conventional wood construction, it will probably be relatively resistant to earthquake damage, particularly if it id a single story structure.

The following suggestions will take an investment of time and money but will add stability to your home. If you want to do the work yourself, many hardware and home-improvement stores will assist you with information and instructions.

Foundations: Check to see if your house or garage is securely fastened to the foundation. (If your house was built before 1950, it probably does not have bolts securing the wood structure to the concrete foundation.) If your house isn’t secured to the foundation, you should take the following steps:

1.     Using a hammer drill and carbide bit, drill a hole through the sill plate into the foundation. Holes should be approximately 6 feet apart.

2.     Drop a ½ X 7 inch expansion bolt into each hole and finish by tightening the nut and washer.

Beams, Post, Joist and Plates:

Strengthen the areas of connection between beams, post, joist and plates using the following hardware:

1.     “T” and/or “L” straps.

2.     Mending plates.

3.     Twin post caps.

4.     Nails and lag screws.

(Pay particular attention to exposed framing in garages, basements, porches and patio covers.)

Roof and Chimney:

1.     Check your chimney for loose bricks, repair if necessary.

2.     Check your roof for any loose tiles or plates.

3.     Protect yourself from falling chimney bricks that might penetrate the roof during an earthquake by reinforcing the ceiling immediately surrounding the chimney with ¾ inch plywood nailed to the ceiling joist.

Learn how to shut off utilities:

1.     Know where and how to shut off utilities at the main switches and valves.

2.     Check with your local utility companies for instructions.

3.     Teach all family members how and when to shut off utilities.

GAS:

(a.)            An automatic valve (EARTHQUAKE COMMAND SYSTEM) is commercially available that will turn the gas off for you in the event of an earthquake.

(b.)           After an earthquake, DO NOT USE matches, lighters or appliances, and do not operate light switches until you are sure there are NO gas leaks. Sparks from electrical switches could cause an explosion.

(c.)           If you smell the odor of gas, or if you notice a large consumption of gas registering on the gas meter, shut off the gas immediately.

              Electricity:

              After a major disaster, shut off the electricity. Sparks from electrical switches could                                             pose a shock and/or fire hazard. Carefully turn off the electricity at the main electrical breaker box.

               Water:

                Water should be turned off at two locations; At the main meter box which controls the water flow to the entire property and also at the main water valve leading into your home. If you do not have a valve leading into your home you should contact a plumber and have one installed. By having this valve you will be protecting a valuable source of water that would otherwise drain out of you system plus it will prevent contaminated water from entering into your home. Remember, your water heater could prove to be a very valuable source of water.

Tom Harris, k5wth