Greenwood Hardware’s Earthquake Readiness Series: Part 1 – Readying Your Home

Although the Pacific Northwest is not necessarily prone to a lot of earthquakes, they can strike almost anywhere at any time and according to some, we’re overdue for a big one! There have been a few in recent decades that have served as reminders of the possibility that a much stronger earthquake could happen. The Northwest is not immune to the hiccups and changes of the earth. The Cascadia fault line is the one that could cause a sizable quake in the northwest. Our team at Greenwood Hardware wants their customers to stay safe and do what they can to prepare for an earthquake—just in case.

This post is the first in a 3-part series covering earthquake preparedness.

Readying your home in case of a quake is your first step. These are the things you need to do today.

Secure Furniture

Secure bookshelves, china hutches and other large pieces of furniture to the wall with brackets. The brackets are drilled into a stud in the wall or use a sheetrock anchor if that isn’t possible. This can prevent the heavy furniture from toppling on top of you during even a minor quake.

Find and Label Shut-offs

Find the main gas line shut off, water main and the main electric breaker to your home. Label these items. For your gas main, you may need a special wrench to turn it off. Attach a wrench to a chain and hang it by the valve.

Come Up with Emergency Plan

Sit down with your family and talk about what you will do should an earthquake strike. Give the family instructions on a meeting place should you not be home. Talk about places to take cover and how to drop, cover and hold.

Brace Light Fixtures

Make sure your light fixtures, including chandeliers and ceiling fans, are secure. They should be well-mounted to reduce the risk they will fall to the ground during an earthquake.

Bed Safety

Remove any mirrors, heavy pictures and other wall décor from walls above your bed. Pictures and wall décor will fall off with even a small earthquake. You don’t want those things to become lethal weapons should they fall on you while you are in bed.

These simple tasks could save you and your family from serious injury in the event of an earthquake. You will find the brackets and tools needed to help make your home a little safer at Greenwood Hardware. Come on in, or contact us today.

In the coming weeks, we will discuss the supplies you should have on hand to prepare for an earthquake.