More than a drill: Prepare home for earthquake shakedown

November 11, 4:34 PMReal Estate News ExaminerBroderick Perkins

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'Big One' Simulation November 12-18

Call it an earth quiver rather than an earthquake, but the noontime 3.2 magnitude shaker that struck Northern California's creeping Calaveras Fault near San Jose on Nov. 10 is a reminder to keep things locked down around the house.

The fault, about 15 miles northeast of downtown San Jose, contains relatively smooth creep from continental plate shifting, but sometimes plates get stuck, build up pressure and give way, generating tremors large and small.

Compared with the more dangerous Hayward Fault, to the west and parallel to the even deadlier San Andreas Fault (think "The Big One") even further west, there's less chance of a major quake on the Calaveras crack -- 11 percent for a 6.7 or greater quake in the next 25 years, experts say.

But the fault can frequently shake things up. Almost exactly a year ago, on Halloween Eve, a 5.4 magnitude quake, was followed by a series of pressure releasing aftershocks including a 3.7 magnitude mover.

The initial 5.4er tossed 300,000 research books and publications to the floor in the city's main Martin Luther King Jr. Public Library and caused similar damage elsewhere.

Seismic energy that can turn objects into missiles and fast falling debris is often an overlooked danger in any earthquake.

During the 6.7 magnitude Northridge, CA earthquake in 1994, 55 percent of quake-related injuries were due, not to collapsing buildings, but because of falling, flying and breaking objects -- televisions, pictures, mirrors and heavy light fixtures.

Frequently updated seismic building codes and retrofits can help secure the structure of a building in all but the greatest of earthquakes, but your home's contents can become missiles with minor earth movements.

The Association of Bay Area Governments' "Ways to Reduce Damage to and Injury from the Contents of Your Home" explains how to lessen the chance that household objects will turn on you during a quake.

• Identify and secure large objects that could fall in a quake. Secure both top corners of tall, top-heavy desks, bookcases and entertainment centers to a wall stud -- not the drywall. Using flexible fasteners will allow the furniture to move independently, without tipping over. The flexibility also reduces strain on the studs. Move heavy objects away from sleeping and sitting areas and clear exit paths of clutter. Fasten down home electronics with flexible nylon straps and buckles.

• Place only soft art above beds and sofas. Glass used for framed and other art can shatter. Consider using clear plastic or acrylic instead of glass for all hanging art. Even then, use closed hook hangers to hang objects and help prevent them from bouncing off the wall.

• Use removable museum wax or earthquake putty or gel to secure knickknacks, gewgaws, collectibles, lamps, pottery and other objects stored on open shelves and counter tops. Store heavier objects on lower shelves or inside display cases with quake or child-proof latches.

• Likewise, secure kitchen cabinets holding glassware and china, especially overhead cabinets, to prevent items from falling out, breaking and spewing shards during a quake.

• In the garage or storage area, move flammables and hazardous materials to low, secure areas. Make sure items stored above or beside vehicles in the garage cannot fall and damage or block vehicles and escape routes.

• Secure water and gas lines. Learn when and how to shut off water and gas lines. Have a plumber inspect pipelines and replace rusted and worn pipes. A plumber can also swap out rigid gas connections to water heaters, stoves, dryers and other gas appliances with more flexible connectors. Also consider installing excess-flow gas-shutoff valves to stop gas flows when a line springs a potentially deadly leak.

 • Secure heavy appliances too. Quake country law mandates that water heaters must be anchored to wall studs with metal straps and lag screws. Kits are readily available at hardware stores and home improvement centers. Likewise, secure refrigerators, free standing ranges, microwave ovens and other large, major appliances to walls using earthquake appliance straps.