Secure Your Cabinets For An Earthquake

Child-proof locks aren’t just for children! Save yourself the hassle of dodging flying crystal goblets by securing your kitchen cabinets full of glasses and plates with a cabinet latch that will stay closed in the next quake.

It’s a no-brainer: put in a safety lock and a grip shelf mat or get brained with your heavy stoneware plates.

TOOLS:

• kid-safe cabinet latches
• tape measure or ruler
• pencil
• grip shelf mat
• drill or screwdriver
• scissors
• if you’re shorter than your cabinets, a footstool

INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING GRIP SHELF MATS:

1. Measure shelf with a tape measure or ruler.
2. Cut a piece of grip shelf mat with scissors to that dimension.
3. Remove all items on shelf.
4. Clean shelf.
5. Put grip shelf mat down on shelf.
6. Put your stuff back on it.

INSTRUCTIONS TO SECURE YOUR CABINETS FOR AN EARTHQUAKE:

1. Check your cabinet doors to see what kind of cabinet latches you need.
2. If you have knobs on cabinet doors, you can get over-the-knob latches, however if you have pull handles, or handle-less doors, you’ll need mounted latches.
3. Using a screw driver or a drill, attach one piece of the mounted latch on the inside of the cabinet at the height you normally open the door from, or at the height of the handle.
4. Attach the opposite latch to the inside of the door at the same height, so the pieces connect correctly.
5. Teach your roommates when they’re sober how to operate the latches. Or not. Maybe you put the latches on the liquor cabinet.