Attach barrier strips to the front of the shelves on the bookcase to prevent books from falling off during an earthquake. Place museum wax or gel onto the bottom of heavy items stored on the bookcase to prevent them from falling off. Attach large items to bookcase shelves with heavy-duty Velcro.
How do you secure a bookcase to a wall during an earthquake?
Secure the furniture item to the wall stud. Secure each furniture piece to at least two wall studs, depending on size and weight, using commercially available kits utilizing nylon strapping that bolt to the wall at one end and have adhesive pads that stick to the furniture (and have velcro or buckle fasteners).
How do you secure a freestanding bookcase?
Place silly putty, velcro, or surfboard wax under breakables, to keep them from falling off shelves. Add a thin strip of wood as an additional barrier.
Should bookcases be anchored?
Bookshelves can pose a hazard in your home if they are not securely anchored. They can topple during an earthquake or by playful pets and curious toddlers who like to climb. The result can be disastrous, causing injury to anyone standing adjacent to the shelves.
Can bookshelves fall over?
Bookcases are a staple in most homes. However, they can be dangerous if they become unstable and topple over.
How do you build a earthquake proof house?
How to Build Earthquake-Resistant Housing
- Design ground beams for earthquake-resistant housing.
- Build floors with a light material similar to the roof.
- Ensure that buildings resist sideways pressure.
- Construct wood-frame housing.
- Establish a large panel system for residences.
- Use a modular building system.
Does a bookcase have to be against a wall?
Bookcases do not need to be fixed to the wall unless circumstances call for it due to safety reasons. It is recommended that you fix your bookcase to a wall if you have pets or small children, or if you live in areas that are prone to earthquakes.
How do you attach an earthquake strap to a bookcase?
Screw a nut onto the end of the screw to attach the strap to the bookcase. Locate wood studs in the wall with a stud finder. Place the bookcase against the wall so that the ends of the earthquake straps rest on the wood studs.
Do bookshelves fall over in earthquakes?
If your bookshelves are free-standing, they could easily fall over during a large earthquake, injuring anyone who happened to be adjacent, especially a small child. Don’t take that chance! Inexpensive metal L-shaped brackets are available at your local hardware store, and they’re easy to install.
What are earthearthquake straps?
Earthquake straps are brackets that attach bookcases to walls and keep them from tipping or rocking when heavy books or items are stored on them. These metal or plastic straps also ensure that bookcases are securely anchored and will not fall over during an earthquake, which can damage furniture, ruin books and possibly even damage the floor.
Why is it important to earthquake-proof shelving?
Because the nature of these disasters is so unpredictable, it’s important to have certain precautions in place at all times. One of these measures is to earthquake-proof shelving within your home to ensure that items don’t fall and break and that shelves don’t completely collapse in the event of an earthquake.
