CONSUMERS : Make the Objects of Your Affection Stay Put
Tips for quake-proofing your residence:
Strap water heater with metal plumber’s tape, wrapped one full turn and pulled tight. Anchor tape to the wall through studs on both sides of the heater, using lag screws with washers or, for concrete walls, expansion bolts. If they are accessible, bolt the feet of the heater to the floor. Make sure gas heaters have a flexible gas line.
* Large appliances, such as refrigerators, can be secured to wall studs with heavy nylon straps or cables at the back, both top and bottom. Lock rollers or remove them. Consider safety appliance latches to keep the refrigerator and freezer doors from flying open during an earthquake.
* Stabilize heavy mirrors or wall hangings with screw angles--two at the top corners, two at the bottom.
* Anchor bookcases (and tall or top-heavy furniture) to the wall with L brackets and lag screws at the top of the cases. To make them less noticeable, invert the L, so that the long part attaches to the top of the bookcase and the short part to the wall. You can use heavy nylon straps instead of L brackets. Some new bookcases come with attachable straps. For the greatest stress resistance, allow an inch or two of flexibility when securing appliances and furniture with straps or cables.
* To keep books and other objects from sliding off shelves, install wire across the front of each shelf or add wooden molding to the lower part of shelves. Bungie cords or nylon straps will serve the same purpose, but wood railings probably are best if you’re concerned about appearance.
* Pictures or hanging plants should be secured to the wall with expansion bolts, and open wall hooks should be closed. You also can purchase picture and plate hangers that have safety-catch locks to keep hanging objects from falling.
* Cabinets and drawers can be secured with “positive” (mechanical) catches inside or outside. Inexpensive child-proof latches are easy to install inside and out of sight. Decorative latches for the outside of cupboard doors should have mechanical catches that bolt, hook, close by turning a knob or pulling back a handle.
* Stereos, computers, VCRs, television, microwaves, table lamps and clocks can be secured to a shelf or table with Quake/Grip Velcro fasteners or Velcro-like strips. Most of these attach to the object and to the shelf surface with adhesive pads. Removal of pads may mark wood or painted surfaces.
* Minimize breakage of ceramics, glassware and art objects by securing them to a table surface or shelf with small amounts of microcrystalline wax or sculptor’s clay. Wood surfaces may retain residue from the wax or clay.
* If you have a home with large windows or patio doors, consider having safety film, either clear or tinted, installed. It bonds to the inner surface of the glass and reduces the possibility of flying glass if the window cracks or breaks. If you have wooden shutters over your windows, be sure they have locking mechanical latches to keep them from flying open.
