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"Agents For The Homebuyer"
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"Agents For The Homebuyer"
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Every family should conduct an earthquake hazard hunt in the home. Foresight, imagination, and common sense are all that are needed as you go from room to room and imagine what might happen when the earth and the house start shaking. Look for items of furniture or appliances that are tall or top-heavy, hanging objects such as pictures, mirrors, plants, ANYTHING that could hurt you or cause damage if it fell. Smaller unsecured items may become flying missiles or windows may break sending glass fragments flying across the room. The risk of injury and loss of property can be reduced by assessing potential dangers in your home and securing or relocating hazardous objects. Tall Furniture
Tall pieces of furniture or equipment should be secured to the wall. Use "L" brackets, corner brackets, or aluminum molding. If the item is close to the wall, corner brackets or eye bolts can be used. Add guardrails on open shelves to keep things from sliding off. Refrigerators should have the rollers removed or locked, and lock piano, bed, and TV rollers as well.
Pictures, Mirrors, & Hanging Objects
Secure hanging objects by closing the opening in the hook from which they hang. Also, plants hanging near windows may swing during an earthquake and shatter the glass.
Pictures and mirrors can be secured by placing angle screws on both sides, top and bottom, then screw into stud.
Dispose of all toxic and flammable substances that are no longer needed. Store pesticides, gasoline, paint thinner, and other toxic substances in a secured storage shed in the rear yard well away from the house. If a storage shed is not available place toxic and flammable substances on the floor, a low shelf, or in a cabinet that is securely fastened to the wall. If placed on a shelf, install a guardrail to prevent the bottles or containers from slipping off the shelf and spilling out on the floor. For information on a "Household Toxic Drop Off Day" in your community, call your local City Hall.
Close lids tightly on all containers and check that they are properly labeled. Store any gasoline in an approved vapor proof container. Always store ammonia and bleach in different locations. If these liquids mix, they create toxic fumes. Ideally, toxins and flammables should be stored in metal cabinets properly segregated, preferably off site, such as in a metal storage shed at the rear of the yard.
Gas
After an earthquake, check utilities and appliances for leaks, or damage. Maintain all gas or electric appliances in good working order. Gas lines should be installed using flexible connectors where they meet the appliances. Rigid copper connectors almost always leak.
Keep a wrench easily accessible but not next to the gas meter, as this could tempt pranksters. This wrench should exceed one foot in length. Gas valves can require force to operate. You can check your valve to make sure it is free turning by turning it 1/8 turn. If it cannot be easily shut off, contact your gas utility company. In an emergency the weakest member of your family should be able to shut off the gas if necessary.
Check with your natural gas utility company before installing an automatic shutoff valve. Some locations are subject to vibration from nearby traffic and thus unsuitable for such a valve.
Electricity
Show members of the family where the main power switches are and how to turn them off. The location and appearance of power switches or breaker boxes differ from home to home, so it is important that all family members are familiar with them.
Water Shutoff
Be prepared to shut off the water when there are ruptured pipes. Water may be turned off at two locations:
1. At the meter, located near the street, which controls water flow to the entire property.
2. At the water main leading into the home.
Taking a few simple precautions now will make your home much safer in the event of another big quake.
There are lots of topics related to earthquake preparedness. For instance, you will want to know whether the house you are buying is bolted to the foundation. You will also want to understand the terms "sheer wall" and "pier and bond-beam" construction.
To assist you in getting this knowledge,
I will provide you a booklet during your home buying process called "Homeowner's
Guide To Earthquake Safety".
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