http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions.html In my talk, Home Preparedness in Earthquake Country, I give several examples from my own home of how I have braced furniture and taken other recommended precautions. This page reviews the main categories of preparations described in the talk: “crucial,” “strongly recommended,” “recommended,” and “nice if possible.” Click on the “next” and “previous” links at the bottom of the window to move through the photos and their descriptions. (Back to main earthquake resources page) http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions.html#0 58814947-281c-4d3c-9393-2bdbc464fe8f http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01884.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01884.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_165_96"><div class="style_5"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Crucial: Don&#x2019;t hang heavy pictures or mirrors over your bed, avoid placement near windows</p></div></div> http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions.html#1 e7944858-8dec-4177-bcf6-beab38634c16 http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01889.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01889.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_165_96"><div class="style_5"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Crucial: Keep an emergency kit with food and water for 3-7 days.&#xA0; Part can be portable.</p></div></div> http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions.html#2 1735264e-7c8a-41f9-ac1a-56d8e4e62061 http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01886.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01886.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_165_96"><div class="style_5"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Crucial: The remaining supplies can be heavier.&#xA0; See supplies checklist on the main earthquake resources web page. </p></div></div> http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions.html#3 01ce9805-a7e3-40bf-a827-b7307c6160fb http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01943.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01943.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_165_96"><div class="style_5"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Crucial: Home owners should brace your water heater.</p></div></div> http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions.html#4 90caf20a-192f-464b-a299-d2ef026c1ff1 http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01919.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01919.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_165_96"><div class="style_5"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Strongly Recommended: Use &#x201C;maze&#x201D; picture hooks.</p></div></div> http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions.html#5 5d21c061-96e7-4117-a82f-e5b073894027 http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01936.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01936.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_165_96"><div class="style_5"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Strongly Recommended: Maze picture hooks prevent the picture wire from jumping off of the hook.</p></div></div> http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions.html#6 cc4a4d06-6356-41b4-af0d-944960e50e2e http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01893.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01893.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_165_96"><div class="style_5"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Strongly Recommended: Brace top-heavy furniture with furniture straps.</p></div></div> http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions.html#7 6c969ba2-adeb-4afe-b24b-d0636aa502ed http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01931.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01931.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_165_96"><div class="style_5"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Strongly Recommended: Furniture straps are available at hardware stores (this is not a specific product endorsement)</p></div></div> http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions.html#8 bef3112b-5f73-4f4a-85aa-106b5443f755 http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01898.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01898.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_165_96"><div class="style_5"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Strongly Recommended: Buckle stereo and computer components to each other and to the table.&#xA0; (Recently replaced by a new version with buckles and velcro.) </p></div></div> http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions.html#9 4a9818e6-028e-472c-a146-7757c05d3d21 http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/P1000809.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/P1000809.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_165_96"><div class="style_5"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Strongly Recommended: Shelf lips or elastic bands prevent books from falling on fragile objects, children, and pets.</p></div></div> http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions.html#10 5d881fdf-5f98-423a-9bb4-39d575d87795 http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/P1000810.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/P1000810.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_165_96"><div class="style_5"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Strongly Recommended: Elastic bands can be simply pulled out of the way to remove books.</p></div></div> http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions.html#11 37937051-345c-4bdd-8340-f268a6c27dd8 http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01911.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01911.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_165_96"><div class="style_5"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Recommended: Cabinet push-latches prevent cabinets from swinging open, but are easily opened by pushing.</p></div></div> http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions.html#12 02d0fa87-bd2c-4e51-a618-8de39756ffad http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01912.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01912.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_165_96"><div class="style_5"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Recommended: Cabinet push-latches, the other part.</p></div></div> http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions.html#13 7918daf3-b76e-4206-b82f-49c4c4364f00 http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01938.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01938.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_165_96"><div class="style_5"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Recommended: Cabinet push-latches, the claw releases the peg with one push, recaptures the peg with another push.</p></div></div> http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions.html#14 50172171-c9f8-4481-824d-6a646981bd3f http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01906.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01906.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_165_96"><div class="style_5"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Nice if possible: Stick down loose objects that can break or turn into projectiles, using quake putty or quake gel.</p></div></div> http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions.html#15 954dbddb-66e4-48bb-bd81-28dc1625b4b5 http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01932.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/DSC01932.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_165_96"><div class="style_5"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Nice if possible: Quake putty is opaque, reusable, sticks to almost anything, and comes off without a mark. Museum wax can leave marks. (Not a specific product endorsement.)</p></div></div> http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions.html#16 8bc9bb86-1836-49be-a847-b77c99b388fc http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/P1000813.jpg?derivative=thumb http://web.me.com/matthewlspringer/Site/Earthquake_basic_precautions_files/Media/P1000813.jpg?derivative=micro <div style="padding: 0px; " class="style_External_165_96"><div class="style_5"><p style="padding-bottom: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; " class="Caption">Nice if possible: New clear quake gel is useful for securing clear objects to non-porous surfaces.&#xA0; (Not a specific product endorsement.)</p></div></div>