Spending Less 101

Enough already about the earthquake…

This morning, around 4:37am, a quake measuring 5.2 hit the midwest. The epicenter was 6 miles south of West Salem, Ill and could be felt up to 450 miles away. Here in St. Louis, there was minor damage. A lot of people were awakened to a low rumble, like a train passing by or the rumble of thunder from a storm in the distance. I didn’t feel a thing. The girls and I slept right through it. This is in contrast to a 1.7 earthquake that happened about two months ago, that I actually felt. I was awake at the time and heard the low rumble. It felt different from anything I had felt before, so I did some research online, the next day, to see if it might have been an earthquake. Sure enough, it was.

I suppose you are wondering what all of this has to do with spending less money on anything. It has less to do with saving money and more to do with preventing yourself from having to spend money down the road.

Here are some things you can do around the house to save your self from future expenses, as it relates to an earthquake:

Bolt bookcases, china cabinets, and other tall furniture to wall studs. Brace or anchor high or top-heavy objects. During an earthquake, these items can fall over, causing damage or injury.

• Secure items that might fall (televisions, books, computers, etc.). Falling items can cause damage or injury.
• Install strong latches or bolts on cabinets. The contents of cabinets can shift during the shaking of an earthquake. Latches will prevent cabinets from flying open and contents from falling out.
• Move large or heavy objects and fragile items (glass or china) to lower shelves. There will be less damage and less chance of injury if these items are on lower shelves.
• Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in low, closed cabinets with latches. Latches will help keep contents of cabinets inside.
• Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches, on bottom shelves. Chemical products will be less likely to create hazardous situations from lower, confined locations.
• Hang heavy items, such as pictures and mirrors, away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit. Earthquakes can knock things off walls, causing damage or injury.
• Brace overhead light fixtures. During earthquakes, overhead light fixtures are the most common items to fall, causing damage or injury.
• Strap the water heater to wall studs. The water heater may be your best source of drinkable water following an earthquake. Protect it from damage and leaks.
• Bolt down any gas appliances. After an earthquake, broken gas lines frequently create fire hazards.
• Install flexible pipe fittings to avoid gas or water leaks. Flexible fittings will be less likely to break.
• Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects. Earthquakes can turn cracks into ruptures and make smaller problems bigger.
• Check to see if your house is bolted to its foundation. Homes bolted to their foundations are less likely to be severely damaged during earthquakes. Homes that are not bolted have been known to slide off their foundations, and many have been destroyed because they are uninhabitable.
• Consider having your building evaluated by a professional structural design engineer. Ask about home repair and strengthening tips for exterior features, such as porches, front and back decks, sliding glass doors, canopies, carports, and garage doors. Learn about additional ways you can protect your home. A professional can give you advice on how to reduce potential damage.(source: disastercenter.com)

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