The Philippines is a beautiful country, but it sits in an area that often has earthquakes. These natural events can be very dangerous, and a big problem comes from things inside our homes. When the ground shakes, furniture can fall over or move around, which can cause injuries and block ways to get out. It’s really important to learn how to keep our furniture safe so our families are safe during earthquakes. This article gives you simple, easy-to-follow steps made just for homes in the Philippines to make these dangers smaller.
Understanding the Risks
Earthquakes can cause strong shaking, which means furniture won’t stay where it is. Tall furniture, like bookshelves or aparadors (wardrobes), are most likely to fall over. Televisions, especially older, heavier ones, might fall off their stands. Even small things like picture frames or platos (plates) can become dangerous. When furniture and objects move during an earthquake, it can cause injuries from small cuts and bruises to more serious harm. For example, a big mesa (table) could fall and hurt someone badly. If furniture falls in hallways, it can make it harder to get out of the house quickly. It’s important to think about what things could fall or slide and how to stop them from doing that.
According to a study by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), most injuries during earthquakes are caused by falling objects inside homes. This highlights the real and present danger of unsecured furniture.
Identifying High-Risk Furniture
Some types of furniture are more dangerous than others during earthquakes, so we need to pay extra attention to them. Here’s a list of items that are most likely to cause problems:
Tall Bookcases and Shelves: These are often not very stable, especially if they aren’t full or if they have a small base. They are very likely to tip over.
Dressers and Aparadors: These are heavy and can be very dangerous. If they fall, they can seriously hurt someone. Older wooden ones can be especially unstable.
Televisions and Entertainment Units: These can slide or fall off where they are sitting during an earthquake. Large, flat-screen TVs are heavy and can cause a lot of damage if they fall.
Mirrors and Picture Frames: These can easily fall from walls or shelves. If the glass breaks, it can cut people, especially if they are hanging above beds.
Cabinets and Kitchen Units: These might open when the ground is shaking, and things inside, like glass cups or heavy dishes, can fall out and become dangerous.
These are common things in Filipino homes that could be a risk during an earthquake.
Securing Your Furniture
The good thing is that we can make these risks smaller by taking some simple steps to keep our furniture safe and make our homes safer. Here are some things you can do:
Wall Anchors: These are very important for keeping tall and heavy things from falling over. You can find them at most hardware stores. They involve attaching the furniture to the wall using straps, brackets, or anti-tip kits that you can buy as a set. For example, you can use these to attach an aparador to the wall so it doesn’t tip over.
Non-Slip Pads or Mats: Put these under things like televisions, vases, or stereo systems. Non-slip pads, which come in different materials, can help keep things from sliding around when the ground shakes. A mat under a television can help it stay still on a table.
Cabinet Latches: Putting latches or locks on kitchen and bathroom cabinets will keep the doors from flying open and things from falling out. Even simple latches can keep glass items like baso (glass cups) from falling out during shaking.
Securing Decorations: Use picture hooks that lock for frames and museum putty for small, fragile things like figurines. Make sure anything hanging on the wall is attached very firmly.
Rearranging Furniture: If you can, put heavier things on lower shelves and closer to the wall. Don’t put heavy things on high shelves. This makes it less likely that things will fall and hurt someone when the ground is shaking.
Consider Built-Ins: This might not be something you can do right away, but if you are renovating, think about built-in furniture. This can make things more stable and keep furniture from falling over easily.
Inspecting and Maintaining: Check the anchors and latches regularly to make sure they are still strong. Replace them if you need to so they are always doing their job.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), securing furniture can reduce the risk of injury by up to 50% during an earthquake. This statistic underscores the significant impact of taking these preventive measures.
Specific Tips for Filipino Homes
Filipino homes often have their own unique styles of furniture. Here are some tips that might be especially helpful for you:
Butaka Chairs: These chairs sit low to the ground, but make sure you put them somewhere where they won’t block exits if you need to get out quickly.
Banigs and Woven Furniture: These are often light and easy to move. Make sure they don’t tip over or block pathways, especially if you use them to divide rooms.
Capiz Window Panes: Check the screws or mounts for capiz windows regularly and fix any damage right away to avoid accidents.
Concrete Walls: Many houses are made of concrete. When you are securing furniture, use wall anchors that are made to work with concrete.
Sliding Doors: Sliding doors might come off their tracks when the ground is shaking. Make sure there is a safety lock or bolt to keep them closed.
Preparing Your Family
Keeping your furniture safe is just one part of getting ready for an earthquake. It’s also important to make sure your family knows what to do. Here are some steps you should take:
Have a Family Plan: Make sure everyone knows what to do during an earthquake. Decide on a place to meet if you get separated, and have a plan for how to get out of the house.
Practice “Duck, Cover, and Hold On”: Teach all family members how to protect themselves during shaking by getting under something strong like a mesa or kama (bed).
Prepare Emergency Supplies: Have an emergency kit with water, food, first aid supplies, and a flashlight ready and easy to get to.
The “Duck, Cover, and Hold On” method is recommended by the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) as the most effective way to protect yourself during an earthquake.
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Call to Action
Earthquakes are a part of life in the Philippines, but that doesn’t mean they have to put our families in danger. By taking simple steps to keep our furniture safe, we can greatly reduce the risks from earthquakes. Start today by looking for hazards, making your furniture more secure, and creating a family plan for when an earthquake happens. Remember, being prepared is key to keeping yourself and your loved ones safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I really need to secure smaller objects?
A: Yes, even small things can be dangerous during an earthquake. A heavy plate falling from a shelf can cause serious injuries. If it can fall, it should be secured.
Q: Where can I buy wall anchors and safety devices?
A: You can usually find these things at hardware stores, home improvement stores, and even some large supermarkets.
Q: I live in a rented apartment; can I still secure the furniture?
A: Yes, in most cases you can secure your furniture. Try using wall anchors that won’t damage the walls, like command strips or some putty adhesives. Talk to your landlord if you are worried about it. Keeping tenants and property safe is important for everyone.
Q: How often should I check the security of my furniture?
A: It’s a good idea to check your furniture security every few months, and especially after any shaking of seismic activity.
Q: Will securing my furniture eliminate all risks?
A: Securing furniture can greatly reduce the risk of things falling or moving, but it doesn’t completely get rid of the possibility of damage happening.
References
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS)
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP)
Red Cross Earthquake Safety Guidelines
Taking steps to secure your furniture and prepare your family can make a big difference during an earthquake. Don’t wait; start preparing today to keep your family safe!
