Inspecting for
Possible Home Hazards
An important step in
earthquake preparedness is to inspect your home and its surroundings for
possible hazards and then take action to lessen those hazards. Remember:
anything can move, fall, or break during an earthquake or its
aftershocks.
The following is a
basic checklist to help you identify and correct possible home hazards.
Rooms In the Home
Look for the
following hazards in each room:
-
Windows and other glass that might shatter
-
Unanchored bookcases, cabinets, refrigerators, water heaters, and
other furniture that might topple
-
Heating units, fireplaces, chimneys, and stoves that could move or
fall
-
Areas
that could be blocked by falling debris
Securing
Appliances
-
Secure your large appliances with flexible cable, braided wire, or
metal strapping.
-
Install flexible gas and water connections on all gas appliances.
This will significantly reduce your chances of having a major fire
after an earthquake.
-
Brace
and support air conditioners, particularly those on rooftops.
The typical water
heater weighs about 450 pounds when full. In an earthquake, the floor on
which it is standing tends to move out from under the heater, often
causing it to topple. The movement can also break the gas, electric, and
water-line connectors, posing fire or electric shock hazards, and can
shatter the glass lining within the water heater.
Here are two
suggestions on how to secure your water heater:
-
Wrap
at least a 1 /2-inch wide metal strap around the top of the water
heater and attach it to wall studs with 3-inch lag screws. Attach
another strap about 2/3 of the way down from the top of the water
heater. OR...
-
Wrap
steel plumber's tape around the entire water heater at least twice.
Then secure the tape to two different wall studs with 3-inch lag
screws.
Securing Items in
the Bathroom
Replace glass bottles
from your medicine cabinet and around the bathtub with plastic
containers.
Hanging And
Overhead Items
-
Inspect and anchor overhead light fixtures, such as chandeliers.
-
Move
heavy mirrors and pictures hanging above beds, chairs, and other
places where you sit or sleep. Otherwise, anchor these items with wire
through eyescrews bolted into wall studs. Or place screws on both
sides, top, and bottom of the frame and screw these into the studs.
-
Determine whether the full swing of your hanging lamps or plants will
strike a window. If so, move them.
-
Secure
hanging objects by closing the opening of the hook.
-
Replace heavy ceramic or glass hanging planters with light-weight
plastic or wicker baskets.
Shelves, Cabinets,
And Furniture
-
Identify top-heavy, free-standing furniture, such as bookcases and
china cabinets, that could topple in an earthquake.
-
Secure
your furniture by using:
-
"L"
brackets, corner brackets, or aluminum molding to attach tall or
top-heavy furniture to the wall
-
eyebolts to secure items located a short distance from the wall
-
Attach
a wooden or metal guardrail on open shelves to keep items from sliding
or falling off. Fishing line can also be used as a less-visible means
of securing an item.
-
Place
heavy or large objects on lower shelves.
-
Use
Velcro®-type fastenings to secure some items to their shelves.
-
Secure
your cabinet doors by installing sliding bolts or childproof latches.
Hazardous
Materials
Identify poisons,
solvents, or toxic materials in breakable containers and move these
containers to a safe, well-ventilated storage area. Keep them away from
your water storage and out of 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 is a single-story structure.
For information on
structural safety standards and qualified contractors in your area,
contact your city or county government office on community development
or building code enforcement.
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 or home-improvement stores will assist you with information and
instructions.
Foundation
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 is not secured to
the foundation, take the following steps:
-
Using
a hammer drill and carbide bit, drill a hole through the sill plate
into the foundation. Holes should be approximately 6 feet apart.
-
Drop a
1/2- x 7-inch expansion bolt into each hole and finish by tightening
the nut and washer.
Beams, Posts,
Joists, and Plates
Strengthen the areas
of connection between beams, posts, joists, and plates using the
following hardware:
- "T" and "L"
straps
- Mending plates
- Joist hangers
- Twin post caps
- Nails and lag
screws
Pay particular
attention to exposed framing in garages, basements, porches, and patio
covers.
Roof and Chimney
-
Check
your chimney or roof for loose tiles and bricks that could fall in an
earthquake. Repair loose tiles or bricks, as needed.
-
Protect yourself from falling chimney bricks that might penetrate the
roof, by reinforcing the ceiling immediately surrounding the chimney
with 3/4-inch plywood nailed to ceiling joists.
Learning to Shut
Off Utilities
Gas
-
An
automatic valve (Earthquake Command System) is commercially available
that will turn the gas off for you in the event of an earthquake.
-
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 ignite gas, causing an
explosion.
-
If you
smell the odor of gas, or if you notice a large consumption of gas
being registered on the gas meter, shut off the gas immediately.
First, find the main shut-off valve, located on a pipe next to the gas
meter. Use an adjustable wrench to turn the valve to the off position.
Electricity
After a major
disaster, shut off the electricity. Sparks from electrical switches
could pose a shock or fire hazard. Carefully turn off the electricity at
the main electrical breaker in your home.
Water
Water may be turned
off at either of two locations:
-
At the
main meter, which controls the water flow to the entire property; or
-
At the
water main leading into the home. (Shutting off the water here retains
the water supply in your water heater, which may be useful in an
emergency.)
Attach a valve wrench
to the water line. (This tool can be purchased at most hardware stores.)
Also, label the water mains for quick identification.
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