Earthquake Preparedness Plan Tips: Safe Places to Put Furniture at Home

The whole Philippines was startled when the mountainous province of Abra was hit by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake at 8.43am local time on 27 July, resulting in the collapse of buildings and the release of large amounts of debris.

The tremors were also felt in the different parts of the country, particularly in its adjacent provinces, and even reached Metro Manila.

Phivolcs said that this recent Abra tremor, which registered magnitude 7.0, is believed to be the most powerful earthquake to have struck the province, as the largest earthquake recorded in the province in the past was only reported as 5.6 magnitude on September 12, 1877.

There were 1,055 reported earthquakes in Abra according to Phivolcs, wherein 260 were plotted or recorded ones, while 26 were felt after the powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake in the province.

Due to this, many of us are asking about how to keep our homes safe during an earthquake-- and this all starts with safe furniture placements.

What are the home furniture do's and dont's during an earthquake

Nobody knows when or where an earthquake will strike, but you can prepare yourself and your loved ones for it by taking precautions now in advance.

Preparation for an earthquake begins at home, and earthquake-proof furniture is an important component of that preparation. There is no need to spend a lot of money to protect yourself and your loved ones in the case of an earthquake, unlike if you don't take any preventative precautions.

Use these quick and easy tips to ensure your house is earthquake-proof:

Tip #1. Make sure that your exits shouldn't be blocked

It's important to keep in mind that huge pieces of furniture or equipment might easily become earthquake hazards. A large earthquake or rapid shaking of the earth's surface might send household items like the refrigerator and shelves flying off shelves and into the air as well as pots and plates flying out of their locations and toward you. This makes the kitchen and living room one of the most dangerous places to be in during a severe quake due to falling furniture. To avoid being trapped if your cabinets or refrigerator fall over, arrange them in an area where they won't obstruct your way out.

Tip #2. Safekeeping of kitchen equipment

Lock your cabinet doors with child-proof latches, hook and eye locks, or positive catch latches made for boats. To minimize the chance of a fire, make sure that the connections on your gas appliances are flexible. Make sure that your refrigerator is also securely fastened to your interior wall to prevent it from moving when earthquakes occur.

Meanwhile, breakable cutlery and glasses should be stored in lower cabinets to prevent them from falling out. Even if this isn't an option, make sure the cabinets are tightly closed to prevent glassware from breaking during an earthquake. A similar precaution should be used with any drawers or other storage areas that may hold hard or pointy items.

Tip #3. Keep artwork, mirrors, and other hazardous items in low places

A shelf or large piece of artwork just over your bed, which may fall and injure you if it hits you, is not a good idea. If you reside in an earthquake-prone location, you may want to consider replacing your existing frame hooks with earthquake-resistant brackets, which can be found at most hardware shops.

As an alternative, if the painting is very heavy and you are utilizing the hook-and-nail approach to hang the image, you may want to consider hanging the picture atop a dresser or other piece of furniture.

Mirrors should also not be put in high positions, since they are prone to shattering if moved. Additional support for ceiling lights and fans should be provided by bolting a cable wire to the joists of the ceiling. The wire should have enough slack to enable it to wiggle.

Tip #4. Ensure your tall furniture is secured with furniture wall straps

All bookshelves and filing cabinets should have their tops secured to the wall so that they don't tip over accidentally. Don't only attach them to the plasterboard but instead, anchor them to the stud as well using some furniture anchors. Also, flexible fasteners reduce the stress on wall studs, such as nylon straps, which enable tall furniture to wiggle without tumbling over.

Anti-tipping kits or anti-tip furniture straps are also available for some heavy-duty furniture with drawers and shelves, so take advantage of them! Install them as soon as you take the furniture piece out of its packaging to avoid any future problems.

Also, you don't want to put heavy objects on top shelves. Avoid putting anything on the higher shelf unless it has a safety latch in order to keep it in place.

Tip #5. Choose locking cabinets

It is common for cabinets, TV stands, and buffet servers to have lockable doors. When the shaking begins, this will keep your dishes from flying out, which is good for you and your family.

Alternatively, if space is an issue, store the heavier wine bottles and bowls towards the rear of the cabinet and lighter items towards the front.

Tip #6. Properly Storing Tabletop Items

Glued hook and loop fasteners may be used to bind TVs, stereos, laptops, lamps, and chinaware to a tabletop which allows for convenient movement of the items when necessary or to the tabletop and the unit. Nondrying putty or microcrystalline wax meanwhile, may be used to secure glass and ceramics.

Tip #7. Pack delicate items in bubble wrap or paper to protect them from damage

Adding packing paper or bubble wrap to fragile goods before putting them in a box is another technique to keep them safe. They will be less inclined to be damaged if material is packed inside them and they are needed to be moved around during an earthquake.

Tip #8. Emergency supplies like first aid kits and flashlights should be kept next to the bed.

Keep a first-aid kit and a flashlight by your bedside in case of any emergency that may arise during or after an earthquake. If you do this, you'll be prepared for any emergencies that may come your way.

Accessories to invest in that will help protect your furniture and equipment

Here are some of the accessories that you can easily buy online on Shopee or Lazada or in hardware stores that can help you to secure your furniture and equipment at home:

Anti-tip furniture straps

There are instances when it's not enough to just shut the doors of your house when it comes to earthquake safety. Latches, earthquake straps, and clasps may be used to lock cabinets that store breakables or are located at high positions, and you can do the same for your bedroom closets. It is possible to use a sheet of protective film to cover the windows and other glass surfaces in every room to prevent shattered glass from splintering all over the place.

Tension Poles

There are several methods to hold your heavy furniture in place in the case of a quake without having to drill holes in the walls or if you have a landlord who doesn't allow any wall alterations.

Because of the potential for a big piece of furniture to fall during a quake, you may secure it to the ceiling using tension pole fasteners.

Anti-slip mats and leg covers

The use of anti-slip leg coverings or wheel fasteners on furniture that is on casters may also be used to secure shorter cabinets, tables, chairs, and even your bed. Anti-slip mats and anti-fall devices may also be put under furniture or flower pots that do not have wheels or legs. Storage cases around the home should be attached to the wall in some way if it is possible.

Chains or wires

Keep in mind that earthquakes may occur from above as well as from things in your immediate environment while planning how to make your house the most earthquake-proof possible. If you have hanging lights, it's a good idea to use chains or cables to keep them from swaying wildly and breaking in a strong earthquake.

Anti-slip gel sheets or pads

Connecting large, potentially hazardous gadgets like televisions or microwaves to the wall may be accomplished using fasteners that hold the equipment in place. But as an alternative, you can also place anti-slip gel sheets or pads below them if you don't want to do that.

Earthquake proofing is better if you have a place you can call your own

One of the most critical things you can do to keep yourself safe in the event of an earthquake is to secure your furniture at home and there is no better way to do it than to have a space you can call your own.

When you're renting an apartment, there are limitations on what you can do to earthquake-proof it unlike when you have your own house.

Lumina Homes is offering various home model units that can perfectly fit your budget and family's needs! We also have over 50 sites nationwide to choose from that are all located in key cities and municipalities to ensure our residents' and future homeowners' convenience.

It's never too early to prepare your house for earthquakes so that you can minimize damage and increase your chances of survival. Make your home reservations now in Lumina Homes and enjoy the freedom of earthquake-proofing your home without limitations!