Seismograph
A few days after the 8.9 earthquake in Japan, I was listening to an update on the TV and they showed evidence of 600 earthquake aftershocks in the region since the big one. 600! It blew my mind! 2 of them had been over 7.0! All of them were measured above a 4.5. Terrifying for the residents, I’m sure.
Notice in the photos of the earthquake damage that you see on the news and/or the Internet that not all homes, building etc are completely destroyed. The fact is, yes, there is an epicenter that gets hit hard. But not all the buildings, even in the critical area, get hit hard. And there are millions of people in the surrounding areas that “just” get rattled… and rattled… and rattled… for goodness sakes.
There is a major problem that NO ONE sems to ever talk about and that is: items like heirlooms, crystal, collectibles, framed photos, figurines all become projectiles when the building starts to shake. Its more likely that you’ll get damaged by something flying through the air than by the roof caving in! These are those whose building may not get knocked down but who may get hit by a flying cremation urn from the shelf!
IT ALWAYS PAYS TO PREPARE in order to:
- Keep things from flying around in the air during the earthquake for personal safety
- Protect important historical items
- Save financially valuable items
- Protect and save emotionally valuable items
- Know ahead of time what will impact your business if you lose it.
- The contents of the house still standing could be protected and saved.
- Surprisingly, an easy, fast, do-it-yourself anchoring technique can save you in all of these five needs of being protected just mentioned. Here are two really short videos that will help you BIG TIME: http://www.FreeEarthquakeInfo.org/museum-wax-package
A recent news video on earthquakes stated that seismologist experts record over 27,000 earthquakes in the US each year! (most barely detectable but an indication of potential).
Anchoring breakable items down so they don’t get broken in an earthquake also protects you AFTER the earthquake: broken items like glassware, crystal, collectibles, ceramics can make it hazardous to move around and get things done.
Also, think ahead about how anxious you will be to talk to your insurance adjuster later. So,
- Prepare ahead of time with an inventory of emotional, historical and financially valuable items
- Take photos
- Make copies of documents of ownership, authentication, appraisals etc.. and…
- Keep your copies in another city!
The reports from Japan about the massive earthquake once again remind us of the ever increasing activity that puts our homes and businesses at risk. You realize, of course, that with an earthquake you also have broken pipes, water damage, mold, smoke and fires. For those of you NOT in earthquake country, think again! A hurricane or tornado rattles and shakes you up in the same way.
Manage risk, prepare and feel more peace of mind by taking action with the following tips:
1. Earthquake insurance is cheap but an add on.
2. Strap down tall furniture that will topple over.
3. Anchor down collectibles in curio cabinets and on shelves that can fly around and cause damage, besides being broken.
4. Make copies of important documents, printed on a laser writer onto acid-free, buffered paper. Keep the copy in another location, out of your area…
- Valuable possessions could be protected
Apply this example to your family’s collectibles and family history items at home or consider the value of items in the workplace and you can readily see that “value” can be defined as financial, historical or emotional. What would you regret loosing? If you lost key, creative and intellectual property, would your business survive?
http://www.FreeEarthquakeInfo.org/museum-wax-package Take note, Japanese ancestors are calling out to warn us all.
Scott M. Haskins has worked in both Europe and the U.S. as a professional conservator since 1975. He has years of experience planning for and responding after earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, mold, fire and everyday home accidents and is the author of “How to Save Your Stuff from a Disaster,” (http://www.saveyourstuffblog.com) a non-technical book with instructions on how to protect and save important documents, photos and other items not covered by insurance He wrote a booklet on “How To Respond After an Earthquake” of which the Bank of America Corporation distributed over 500,000 through their Human Resource Depts after the Northridge Earthquake.
Call for interview at 805 564 3438 or email scott@saveyourstuff.com
Facebook Pages at: “Save Your Stuff”
Twitter: “saveyourstuff”
YouTube: “preservation coach” and “bestartdoc”
On the news, they are so busy talking about deaths, injuries, misplaced people… but I guess that’s what gets headlines. I’m sure talking about broken valuables is not going to make it to the news. But if my grandmother’s crystal bowl got broken, I would be really upset. And I’m guessing that there are millions of people crying over family treasures, even if their families and houses are safe. Good info on this blog!
I could buy earthquake insurance, but I’d rather just not have my stuff destroyed in the first place. That’s why your blog here is so cool. Good info. Your Museum Wax package looks like “cheap insurance”!