Contact: Brian Lowe
Tel: (800) 959-4053
EARTHQUAKE
PREPAREDNESS – THE KEY TO AVOIDING COSTLY MITIGATION
San Marcos, CA –
(February 28, 2002) – On the first anniversary of the Nisqually earthquake,
Seattle residents are being reminded of the need to be prepared.
Preparedness is the
key to avoiding costly mitigation after the fact.
The number one cause
of injuries in the home during an earthquake (OES data) is from
big-ticket items toppling over. The Office of Emergency Services reports that
most injuries happen when things like entertainment centers and china cabinets
crash to the floor, causing their contents to shatter and block escape routes.
However, the good
news is that there is a way to secure items of furniture without drilling holes
in them and that won’t cost an arm and a leg.
State-of-the-art
furniture and appliance straps are now available in Seattle. The nylon straps
come equipped with easy-to-use peel and stick adhesive tabs that fasten to wall
units, big screen TVs, computers and other heavy objects to secure them in
place. The other end goes into the wall stud to create stability.
These earthquake
safety straps have been tested and approved by the United States Testing
Company (California Division), as well as by the University of Kyoto in Japan.
The straps have been
engineered to give maximum securing power without damaging the furniture items
they’re attached to, and because they fasten onto the back of an item, they’re
not unsightly.
There are also
temporary adhesives that have been developed to secure collectibles, crystal
and other treasured items.
The adhesives are
non-toxic, removable and reusable and go underneath objects to secure them in
place when on display in the home. They represent an inexpensive form of
insurance that will give homeowners lasting peace of mind.
Prior to February 28,
2001 people in the Pacific Northwest paid little heed to the fact that they
lived in an earthquake zone, but that changed when the 6.8 Nisqually quake
struck just before 11am one year ago today.
All of these safety
products have been developed in California by a company with more than 10
years’ experience in earthquake mitigation.
Quakehold! furniture
straps and temporary adhesives are part of the ‘Big One’ earthquake exhibit at
the University of Washington’s Burke Museum.
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