The University of Washington: Facilities Services

Hazards at Home and at Work

Prepare Yourself And Your Family

Identify Potential Hazards in the Home and Work Place

By identifying and taking advantage of risk reduction opportunities in advance of a disaster, your home and work space are in better position to recover quickly. Also risk reduction measures offer many benefits that include:

  • Reducing loss of life in future hazard events.

  • Constructing safer home and work environments.

  • Providing faster restoration of important operations and systems.

  • Saving time and money… Less damage means the cost to repair and replace is reduced.

The following recommendations come from the Institute for Business & Home Safety

(Link to IBHS) -  http://www.ibhs.org/property_protection/default.asp?id=4

Water Heaters

  • Water heaters should be securely attached to structural members such as wall studs within a load-bearing wall.

 Glazing

  • All glazing should either consist of tempered glass or should have a safety film applied on the interior side, even for windows that have protective shutters.

Natural Gas Lines And Other Utility Lines

  • All natural gas lines and other utility lines should have flexible connections, in addition to an automatic shutoff valve.

Masonry Chimneys

  • Masonry chimneys should be connected to structural members of exterior walls in the same manner as is required for masonry veneer.

Top Heavy Free Standing Furniture

  • Install L-brackets or Z-brackets to attach top heavy free standing furniture (i.e, bookcases, file cabinets, entertainment centers) to the wall.

Picture Frames, Mirrors And Bulletin Boards

  • Secure picture frames, Mirrors and bulletin boards to the wall by using closed screw-eyes instead of traditional picture hangers.

Ceiling Lights

  • Secure ceiling lights to supports using safety cables.

Large Appliances And Electronic Equipment

  • Anchor large appliances and electronic equipment such as refrigerators to the wall using safety cables or straps.

Cabinet And Cupboard Doors

  • Install locking mechanisms on cabinet and cupboard doors to prevent them from opening and letting the contents fall out during an earthquake.

Deadly Projectiles

  • Table tops objects can become deadly projectiles. Use either hook and loop fasteners on the table and object, or non-damaging adhesives such as earthquake putty, clear quake gel, or microcrystalline wax to secure breakables in place.


Hazard Mitigation Resources