Some major modifications to a home need a contractor's assistance, such as ensuring the retaining walls are bolted to the foundation or have adequate bracing, masonry chimneys are secured to the roof framing, and outdoor propane tanks are stabilized.
Others are handled by the municipality one lives in; it ensures building codes incorporating anti-earthquake damage techniques are followed.
But to safeguard one's valuables inside a home requires minimal skill: using screwdrivers, nut drivers, drills and pliers.
One potential hazard that can lead to fire damage is a ruptured water heater tank. To guarantee it doesn't fall over or move during an earthquake, here are some steps to take:
1. Situate the tank between 1" to 2" from the wall.
2. Locate wall studs on both sides of the tank, but not behind it. Make a mark above each stud that is about 9" below the top of the tank and about 4" above the bottom.
3. Screw one end of heavy-gauge metal strapping in one wall stud using a 1/4" x 3" lag screw (square-headed bolts with screw heads) and flat washer.
4. Encircle the tank about 9 inches below the tank top with one full wrap from front to back counterclockwise and anchor the opposite end in a wall stud.
5. Repeat with a second piece of strapping, anchoring it first in the wall stud and encircling the tank clockwise.
6. Do the same with two additional pieces of strapping located about 4 inches from the tank bottom.
If the water heater is not in a corner, then you need to use 1/2" conduit to brace the heavy-gauge metal strapping between the wall and tank. Just one encircle of the tank with strapping in the 4" and 9" positions will hold it.
There are commercial strapping kits available.
Replace the gas and water tubing with flexible hoses.
Several people have been injured when heavy, tall furniture (bookcases, china cabinets) fell on them during an earthquake. To secure such furniture, follow these steps:
1. If possible, position the furniture away from beds, couches and chairs where people may be when a tremor occurs.
2. Find wall studs and mark their location.
3. Using either Z or L brackets, position them over the studs along the top and sides of the furniture in at least two places per side.
4. After securing brackets to the furniture, screw them into the stud with 3" #8 wood or metal screws or larger plus washers.
An alternate method is to secure the furniture through its rear frame (if the back isn't flimsy and attached with small staples) directly into the stud with the same size screws and washers.
To keep items on open shelves, install ledge barriers along the front with mechanical fasteners or a strong elastic band across the shelf front.
Securing file cabinets is similar to securing tall furniture, with brackets and screws fastened into studs.
Another tip is to bolt two or more file cabinets to each other, which helps reduce the possibility of each one tipping over.
Large appliances, such as refrigerators, ovens, washers and dryers, can be displaced or topple during an earthquake. They can be secured using an appropriately sized eye screw (like a 3/8" for a refrigrerator) installed into a wall stud and a coated wire cable connected to the eye screw at one end and to a snap-on fastener at the other end. Then the fastener is attached to the upper portion of the appliance.
If approved by the municipality, replace any rigid gas and water connections with flexible tubing.
Small electronic items (computers, printers, televisions, etc.) need to be restrained to avoid their tumbling from their stands and crashing. One method is using Velcro-type strips fastened to the bottom of the unit and the table.
Available from various stores are adhesive-backed latches that can be pressed to the table and unit's sides, and then strapped together.
Bungee cords can be used across the top of these items, with their ends anchored with screw-in hooks or eyes.
If the table or stand on which the items sit is itself vulnerable to swaying during an earthquake, it, too, needs to be secured to the house's studs with brackets, as imparted above.
Pictures, paintings and mirrors hung on walls can be potential injurious items. If possible, suspend them where they won't hit anyone if they fall down.
The hanging items need to be secured to the house's studs, using 3" eye hooks screwed in. The heavier it is, the more hooks necessary. Then securely attach the hanging wire to both sides of the frame and thread it through the eye hook(s). For added protection, squeeze the eye hook(s) closed with pliers to make it harder for the wire to slip out.
Think child-proofing when fixing cabinet doors and drawers. Several types of latches are available on the market, many easy to install with a screwdriver. Another recommendation is to use strong, mechanical latches on the doors to prevent their opening during a trembler.
Small, decorative items and small lamps can be secured with museum wax or with monofilament line tied to eye hooks screwed into the wall or on the table/stand.
