Secure Your Refrigerator for an Earthquake

A refrigerator is a mighty heavy thing to have flying around your kitchen. Why not take a few minutes to secure your fridge to wall studs? Your fondest memory of the next earthquake could be the time you did not get flattened by a flying refrigerator. You can protect yourself from flying leftovers by using inexpensive kid refrigerator locks too.

TOOLS:

• stud-finder
• pencil
• drill or screw driver
• nylon earthquake refrigerator or heavy filing cabinet straps
• rubbing alcohol or alcohol wipes
• a footstool

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SECURING YOUR REFRIGERATOR:

1. Locate wall studs behind fridge using stud finder and mark with a pencil.
2. Attach fridge straps to marked wall studs using drill or screw-driver.
3. Clean the surface of the fridge where you plan to affix the Velcro.
4. Attach straps to fridge with at least an inch and a half of give to allow for shaking.
5. Use two straps at either edge for even weight distribution.

 
To secure your refrigerator contents, use inexpensive kid-safe locks on the side of each door.

1. Open the package of kid-safe fridge locks.
2. Follow the instructions enclosed for attaching them to your fridge.
3. You are done! Try playing with the new latches to see how they work.

Host a post-earthquake bbq with you neighbors using all the food you saved by securing your refrigerator!