Earthquake Mitigation Activities At Home

During an earthquake, contents can shake violently, potentially injuring or trapping occupants. You can mitigate the effects of earthquakes by doing these, and other, measures: anchor tall bookcases; secure propane tanks; restrain computers and appliances; install latches on cabinet doors; secure gas and water lines; brass crippled walls; and mount framed pictures and mirrors to the wall.

Anchor Bookcases and File Cabinets Anchoring furniture so that it remains upright not only helps prevent injuries and helps to keep exits clear, but it also helps protect both the furniture and its contents. You can anchor large pieces of furniture in several ways. Make sure that all anchoring screws penetrate not just the wall but the studs behind it as well. Screws embedded only in drywall or plaster will pull out. The cost of anchoring a bookcase or file cabinet will depend on its width. In general, if you do the work yourself, you can expect the cost to be approximately $5 per foot. So, for example, anchoring a 3-foot-wide bookcase will cost you about $15. Check with your local home improvement store or click here for additional information.

Secure Propane Tanks During earthquakes, propane tanks can break free of their supporting legs. When a tank falls, there is always a danger of a fire or an explosion. One way to prevent damage to propane tanks and compressed gas cylinders is to anchor and brace them securely. Bracing and anchoring a propane tank will cost about $250. Having flexible connections installed on the tank and at the house will cost about $75. Attaching one gas cylinder to the wall will cost about $50. Check with your local home improvement store or click here for additional information.

Restrain Appliances and Computers You can protect desktop computers and other small appliances by restraining them in a variety of ways. Some methods, such as using hook-and-loop material (Velcro for example), require no tools. This will cost approximately $2 to $10, depending on the amount of hardware. Others, which include using chain, cables, or elastic cord ("bungee" cords for example), will usually require simple hand tools. Using velcro material will be the cheapest method. Using chain or cable will be the most expensive method but may be necessary for heavy items. Check with your local home improvement store or click here for additional information.

Install Latches on Drawers and Cabinet Doors One way to prevent the accidental opening of drawers and cabinet doors is to install latches, such as barrel bolts, safety hasps, and child-proof locks. Most hardware and home supply stores stock a variety of latches. Most latches will cost between $2 and $5. If you do the work yourself, the cost of adding latches to all the cabinets and drawers in a medium-sized kitchen could range from about $60 to about $100. Check with your local home improvement store or click here for additional information.

Brace Cripple Walls A cripple wall is a short wall that rests on the foundation and supports the floor and exterior walls. If the cripple wall is not braced, it can shift during an earthquake. When this occurs, there is a greater likelihood that your house will be severely damaged and that you and members of your family will be injured. To protect your home, horizontal blocking that consists of 2" by 4'' boards is added between the vertical studs at the top and bottom of the cripple wall and, if necessary, at other locations between the studs. New vertical studs can also be added if necessary. Plywood or oriented strand board is then nailed to the interior face of the cripple wall. Also, nails are added through the existing blocking between floor joists to ensure that the floor is securely attached to the cripple wall. Bracing a 2-foot-high cripple wall will cost you about $1.50 per linear foot of wall. For example, a house measuring 60 feet by 30 feet will have a perimeter of 180 feet. So the cost for that house would be about $270. Check with the Public Works Department, Land Use & Codes Administration at 243-7250 to see whether you need a permit to do this work. Check with your local home improvement store or click here for additional information.

Use Flexible Connections on Gas and Water Lines Because most gas and water lines are rigid, they can be torn from their connection points during an earthquake. A broken gas line is especially serious because of the potential for a fire or even an explosion. One way to prevent broken gas and water lines is to have flexible connection pipes installed between appliances and their supply lines. Having a flexible connection installed on a furnace or other large appliance will cost about $75.

Changes to the gas lines and plumbing in your house must be done by a licensed contractor, who will ensure that the work is done correctly and according to all applicable codes. This is important for your safety. Call the Public Works Department, Land Use & Codes Administration at 243-7250 to obtain a permit to do this work or click here for additional information.

Frame Pictures and Mirrors Large pictures and mirrors can cause injuries when they fall, and the broken glass that often results increases the potential for injury. One way to mount framed pictures and mirrors securely is to use long-shanked, open eye-hooks instead of traditional picture hangers. Also, an alternative to running wire across the back of the picture or mirror is to use closed eye-hooks securely screwed into the back of the frame. The cost of mounting a picture or mirror with eye-hooks will depend on its size and weight. In general, for a large picture or mirror that requires two eye-hooks, you can expect the cost to be approximately $3 to $5. Check with your local home improvement store or click here for additional information.