Secure Your for Pictures an Earthquake

Family Photos.

Aunt Milly’s watercolor of Big Sur.

Your framed ‘Starship Troopers’ poster.

These are all examples of things you may have hanging on your walls. If you take a few minutes to anchor them with earthquake-safe hooks or with regular hooks + a little earthquake putty, you will still have your pictures after the shaking stops.

You will also avoid the mess of arterial spray when that framed poster comes crashing down on your head.

Tools:

• earthquake-safe picture hangers
• hammer
• drill or screwdriver
• earthquake putty
• a footstool

To hang pictures using earthquake safe hooks:

1. Use one hook for pictures weighing up to 50lbs.
2. Use two hooks for pictures weighing up to 100lbs.
3. For lightweight pictures (12lbs or less) hammer earthquake safe hanger into wall.
4. For heavier pictures (35lbs or more) screw the earthquake safe hook into a wall stud.
5. For objects in between (13-35lbs), use on 3/32” L-Hollow wall anchor.

To hang pictures and secure them with earthquake putty:

1. Make a small dot of earthquake putty by rolling it in between your thumb and forefinger, and place on the lower left corner of the back of your picture.
2. Repeat for the lower right corner.
3. Make a third small dot of earthquake putty and place it in the crook of the picture hook.
4. For heavier pictures (35lbs or more) screw the earthquake safe hook into a wall stud.
5. Hang your picture carefully making sure the picture wire imbeds in the putty and that the putty on the bottom corners touches the wall.