Protect your belongings

Falling objects and toppling furniture present the greatest danger and the biggest potential financial loss for most people. Imagine all of the contents of your kitchen cabinets falling to the floor or on your head! At home, at work, and in schools, building contents should be secured.

Be sure that no heavy items, such as pictures or mirrors, can fall on your bed, where you typically spend a third of each day.

Secure tall furniture and bookcases to the wall. Add lips to shelves to prevent costly items from sliding off. Be sure adjustable shelves cannot slide off their supports.

Put strong latches on cabinet doors, especially at home in your kitchen and at work in laboratories. Fasten heavy or precious items to shelves or tables. Secure file cabinets, computers, televisions, and machinery that may overturn during an earthquake.

Store potentially hazardous materials such as cleaners, fertilizers, chemicals, and petroleum products in appropriate containers and in sturdy cabinets fastened to the wall or floor.

In your office, be sure heavy objects are fastened to the building structure and not just to a movable wall. Ask a carpenter or an electrician to check light fixtures and modular ceiling systems.

Be sure your water heater is fastened to the wall studs and that all gas heaters and appliances are connected to the gas pipe through flexible tubing. If you use propane gas, be sure the storage tank is secured against overturning and sliding.

Secure your woodstove to wall or floor studs. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher close at hand.

Check with your school officials to be sure they have taken similar precautions.

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