A home survey?  That's right.       

Today's suggestion for emergency preparedness:  Survey your home for potential problems. Reduce the risk of being struck by items falling from shelves, or shattering and causing serious injury.

• Are your picture frames and mirrors attached well enough to the walls that they won't fall in case of a shake or bad storm?  (Use heavy duty wire, special attachments for mirrors.)
• Do you have any heavy frames or other decorative items on the wall behind your bed?  With enough of a jolt they could come crashing down on your head. (You might consider moving them.)
• Are the pictures framed with glass or plastic?  (a major source of injury from quakes is from broken glass, so keep those bedslippers next to the bed.)
• Do you have large or heavy items on top of bedroom bureaus or dressers that could become projectiles?  (You might consider moving these too)
• Anchor tall units to the walls so they will not fall. Not only could they add to the debris,  but they could possibly block a door, and trap you in the room.
• Secure fragile and/or valuable objects with putty-like substance made for that purpose. (Quake Hold is one brand.) Note: for lightweight items only.

Become aware of your surroundings. Heed the warnings. You'll feel better knowing you have done all you can to protect your family's living environment.

The Schoolmarm

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