Tipping furniture: A deadly threat：Essential Earthquake Safety Tips
Earthquakes can strike without warning, turning everyday furniture into serious hazards. Unsecured bookcases, cabinets, refrigerators, and televisions may tip over, causing injuries, blocking escape routes, and damaging property.
Keeping furniture securely in place is one of the most effective ways to improve earthquake safety. By securing furniture before a disaster occurs, you can significantly reduce the risk of injury and improve your family’s safety.
In the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, there were many reports of damage caused by furniture falling over. Analysis of these reports reveals that such tragic accidents were caused by cases where people were “trapped under furniture,” “evacuation routes were blocked by fallen furniture,” and “glass and stored items were broken” and ”people were injured by shards of glass and stored items“.
During major earthquakes, furniture tip-overs are a leading cause of indoor injuries. Large furniture can:
Taking preventive action can help protect lives and minimize earthquake-related damage.
The following furniture types are especially vulnerable to tipping over:
Tall Furniture
Top-Heavy Furniture
Furniture with a high center of gravity becomes unstable when strong shaking occurs.
Furniture with Heavy Contents
Cabinets containing books, dishes, or equipment can become significantly heavier and more dangerous during seismic activity.
Rolling Furniture
Furniture equipped with casters or wheels can move unexpectedly and increase the risk of injury.
Several conditions make furniture more likely to fall during an earthquake:
Identifying these risks is the first step toward creating a safer environment.
* Particular attention should be paid when these factors are combined.
High-quality seismic pads help absorb vibrations and reduce furniture movement.
Advantages:
Keep heavier objects near the bottom of cabinets and shelves to lower the center of gravity and improve stability.
Avoid placing large furniture near:
Maintaining clear evacuation routes is critical during emergencies.
Shatter-resistant safety film can help prevent injuries caused by broken glass during strong earthquakes.
Businesses should secure:
Maintaining a safe workplace improves employee safety and business continuity after an earthquake.
PROSEVEN provides professional earthquake safety solutions designed to help prevent furniture tip-overs and protect valuable equipment.
Key Benefits；
Furniture tip-over prevention is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve earthquake safety. Whether you are protecting a home, office, school, or commercial facility, proper furniture anchoring can reduce injuries, safeguard property, and support faster emergency evacuation.
Don’t wait until an earthquake occurs.
Secure your furniture today and build a safer environment for the people who matter most.
Explore PROSEVEN Earthquake Safety Products and Furniture Securing Solutions.
・Do not place tall furniture in rooms with carpets or tatami mats.Place furniture leaning against the wall, not leaning forward.
・Store heavy items at the bottom and light items at the top.
・If doors or drawers have locks, make it a habit to lock them on a regular basis.
・Glass doors should be covered with shatterproof film.
Don't forget to use earthquake-proof fittings. There are many types of earthquake-proof fittings. If you do not use them correctly, they will not be effective. Read the instruction manual carefully before use. Please take this opportunity to inspect the furniture in your home.