Table of Contents
- 1 How do earthquakes protect tall furniture?
- 2 How are earthquake shelves secure?
- 3 What size earthquake can a house withstand?
- 4 How do you earthquake proof cabinets?
- 5 How will you prepare if you have learned that an earthquake will shake your place?
- 6 What happens to kitchen cabinets during an earthquake?
- 7 Are Los Angeles’ ‘soft-story’ buildings vulnerable to earthquakes?
How do earthquakes protect tall furniture?
Secure the tops of all top-heavy furniture, such as bookcases and file cabinets, to a wall. Be sure to anchor to the stud, and not just to the drywall. Flexible fasteners such as nylon straps allow tall objects to sway without falling over, reducing the strain on the studs.
How are earthquake shelves secure?
You can use brackets, straps made specifically to secure shelves and large or tall furniture to the walls, or drill holes through free-standing shelves or bookcases to secure them to the wall. Floating shelves are already designed to be mounted to a wall. Just make sure they are securely fastened to studs.
What possible damage can your home suffer from an earthquake?
The contents of your home may be damaged and can be dangerous: Shaking can make light fixtures fall, refrigerators and other large items move across the floor, and bookcases and television sets topple over.
How do you earthquake proof kitchen cabinets?
Cabinets themselves are often liable to shake to the ground during earthquakes, damaging the contents within and the outer surface of the cabinet itself. This can be avoided by using wall-grabbing studs to secure cabinets to walls. These expand outwards to provide a firm grip if the cabinet moves during an earthquake.
What size earthquake can a house withstand?
A wooden house can withstand an earthquake up to magnitude 8.5.
How do you earthquake proof cabinets?
Can bookshelves fall over?
Bookcases are a staple in most homes. However, they can be dangerous if they become unstable and topple over.
What should you check in your house after an earthquake?
Look for the following:
- Doors that have gaps, that are stuck shut, that rub or that are difficult to open and shut.
- Windows that have gaps, that are stuck shut or they’re difficult to open and shut.
- Cracks in the plaster.
- Leaning or bowed walls.
- Sagging or damaged ceilings.
How will you prepare if you have learned that an earthquake will shake your place?
If there is no shelter nearby, get down near an interior wall or next to low-lying furniture that won’t fall on you, and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands. HOLD ON to your shelter (or to your head and neck) until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if the shaking shifts it around.
What happens to kitchen cabinets during an earthquake?
Unsecured kitchen cabinets create a serious hazard during an earthquake. If not properly secured, the doors may fly open sending dishes and glass flying and crashing. Cabinets are very easy to secure; a variety of different materials that can be used to hold the objects inside cabinets in place.
Are your cabinets safe from natural disasters?
Once all cabinets are secure they are safe against earthquakes, tsunamis and a number of other dangerous natural disasters. Cabinets themselves are often liable to shake to the ground during earthquakes, damaging the contents within and the outer surface of the cabinet itself.
Can an earthquake damage a two-story apartment?
Even the most minor earthquake can cause damage to a two-story apartment that has not been properly prepared. With a little forethought, though, all of us can live with the knowledge that if an earthquake does hit, we’ll be equipped to handle it.
Are Los Angeles’ ‘soft-story’ buildings vulnerable to earthquakes?
In 2016, the city of Los Angeles released a list of more than 13,000 “ soft-story” buildings vulnerable to collapse in a major earthquake. These aren’t the only buildings susceptible to damage, but they are especially dangerous because of weak lower levels that don’t provide enough support to the upper floors.