Checklist on Safety -Protecting Our Child From Disaster

8/14/2019 Checklist on Safety -Protecting Our Child From Disaster

1/65


2/65

o one knows when or where the next hurricane or earthquake will strike. But strike it wi

soon er rath er th an later. In fact, durin g the past ten years, natu ral disasters h ave occurred

frequen tly than ever before, puttin g hom es, an d th e lives th ey sh elter, in th e gravest dan ger.

This m eans com m itted licensed child care cen ters, secon d h om es to m ore than a th ird of all ch

un der th e age of six, m ust take serious precaution s if theyre going to be ready th e next tim e

lets loose.

Thats why the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), whose mission is to protect fam

h om es and businesses from windstorm s, wildfires, floods, h ailstorms an d earthqu akes, h as dev

th e Protecting Ou r Kids from Disasters kit. You can use th is un ique p rogram to retrofit your

day care center and others, better preparing them to withstand natural disasters and improvin

to-day safety, too .

The Protecting Our Kids from Disasters kit supplies everyth

volunteer team will need to perform a basic, nonstructura

from start to fin ish , including:

I A step -by-step ch ecklist for p roject leaders

I Media strategy, in clud ing sam ple

n ews releases

I An informat ion video th at shows exam ples of po

retrofits in ch ild care cent ers, and h ow to d o th em

I Text that pu ts the h ow-to information into han d

easy-to-use instructions

On ce upon a t ime, we could on ly do so mu ch to prepare for n atural disasters. Now we can do

more for only a small investment. After all, California doesnt get every earthquake. Tornado

h it New En glan d. Wildfires can bu rn in t h e Everglades. An d th e next h urrican e already has a n

N


3/65

Project Leaders Checklist

Nonstructural Safety Checklist

Publicizing Your Event

Sample Media Advisory Sample News Release

Project Wrap-Up Form

Retrofit Instructions

Leave-Behind Materials:

Being Prepared Before a Disaster Strikes(for the child care center)

Protecting Your Home(for parents)

I

G

N

L

G

T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s


4/65


5/65

Plan the day, the sequence and the process required to accomplish the various

of the work.

Ch eck with local buildin g officials to d etermin e if permits are n ecessary for th e w

Roun d up your volunteers from amon g other parents or th roughout th e com m un

I You m igh t like to join forces with local com pan ies an d o rganizatio

example, insurance companies or banks could be eager to promote

Protecting O ur Kids from Disasters as a comm un ity project; h ardwastores could also d on ate n ecessary building supplies.

Gath er necessary tools and m aterials.

I I f y o u a r e r e t r o f i t t i n g a p u b l i c , n o n p r o f i t c h i l d c a r e

contact the International Window Film Association at (540) 666

www.IWFA.com for a possible partnership.

Publicize. Protecting Our Kids from Disasters is a great story, and this kit inclu

on media strategies to help you get the word out.

Okay. Now, your troop s can in stall th ose fluorescent light sleeves and secure th ose cabin ets.

After the Retrofit

This kit h olds tip sheets abou t p rotecting h om es from n atural disasters. Leave c

these behind when youve finished, so the center can give them to all parents.

Tell the IBHS coordinator that the retrofit is complete.

Fill out the Project Wrap-up Form youll find here in the kit, and mail it off to IBH

Give your team a pat on th e back, an d give yourself one, too!


6/65

Whether through fire or flood, earthquake or tornado or hurricane, natural disasters occur

where. And everywhere they occur, they do unnecessary damage as a result of hazards that

have been eliminated. This checklist identifies the common nonstructural hazards for chil

centers. Use th e list to p repare a work order for your cen ter.

EQUIPMENT & FURNISHINGS

Are appliances, cabin ets and shelves attach ed

to the wall or braced by being anchored together?

Are heavy or sharp items stored on shelves with

ledge b arriers?

Are blocks an d h eavy objects stored on th e

lowest sh elves?

Are television sets, fish bowls and similar items

restrained so they wont slide off?

Are pictures and oth er wall han gin gs attach ed

to th e wall with wire and closed screw-eyes?

Are ch emicals such as bleach, pain t th inn er and

cleaners securely stored so they wont spill?

N o n s t r u c t u r a l S a f e t yC h e c k l i s t

YES


7/65

EQUIPMENT & FURNISHINGS (cont.)

Are cribs located away from the tops of stairs

and other places where rolling could endanger them

or wh ere heavy objects could fall on th em?

Are tall cribs anch ored against tipp ing over?

Are heavy furnishin gs or pieces of equipm ent

latched o r tethered to th e wall when n ot in u se?

Are fire extin guishers secured so th ey won t fall

from wall brackets?

Are tall refrigerators attached to the wall or

oth erwise secured from tippin g?

OVERHEAD ELEMENTS

Are suspend ed ceilin gs secured to structural fram ing?

Are suspen ded light fixtures attach ed to

structural framing with safety cables?

YES


8/65

OVERHEAD ELEMENTS (cont.)

Are battery-powered emergency lights secured towalls with shelves or brackets?

Are blackboards or projection screens securely

mounted to the wall or hung safely from the ceiling?

MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT

Is th e water heater secured to wall stud s (n ot just

gypsum b oard) at the top an d bot tom ? [Please reference

th e Retrofit In struction s, page 30, for correct bracing

details for water heaters.]

Does the wat er heater h ave flexible conn ectors,

rather th an rigid conn ectors?

Do large sh eet-m etal h eating-vent ilating-air

conditioning ducts have diagonal bracing above

or eno ugh vertical suppo rt straps to keep an y section

from fallin g if th e du ctwork separates into sections?

PARTITIONS

Are ligh tweight pan els, rather th an sh elvin g un its

or oth er tall furn ish ings, used to d ivide room s?

YES


9/65

PARTITIONS (cont.)

Are h eavy or tall room dividers braced b y inter-

con n ectin g th em in L-shapes or zigzags?

Are partitions, which extend only to the suspendedceilin g, supported by th e structure above, especially

if th ey are used to an cho r heavy objects

in the room?

WINDOWS

Are large win do wpa n es safety-glazed?

Are tran som s safety-glazed?

Do partitions have plastic or safety glass panels,

rather than ordinary glass?

In h urrican e-pron e areas, have im pact-resistant

wind ows and doo rs been in stalled; or are storm

shutters, made out of plywood or m etal, on han d

to cover large win dows an d do ors?

EXTERIORS

YES


10/65

EXTERIORS (cont.)

In regions that are at risk from wildfires, is the

landscape suitably protected?

G Is th e street n um ber of the cen ter clearlyan d legibly visible from th e roadway so

th at em ergency veh icles will be able to

locate the center easily?

G Are th ere fuel breaks like driveways,

lawns and gravel walkways?

G Is th ere a defen sible space of at least

100 feet around th e building?

G Are th e trees prun ed six to ten

feet from th e groun d to eliminate

fuel ladders?

G Is th ere vegetation wh ich m ight serve as a lin k

between grass and treetops?

G Are trees spaced at least ten feet apart?

YES


11/65

EXTERIORS (cont.)

G Are native, fire-resistant vegetation and

trees plan ted aroun d th e facility?

G Does the center h ave a well-maintain edirrigation system?

G Is leaf clutter rem oved an d th e lawn

m owed regularly?

G Is firewood stored away from t h e structure?

G Are pin e n eedles an d leaves cleaned

regularly from th e roof and gutters?

G Are th e un dersides of abovegroun d d ecks

enclosed with n on combustible m aterial

to prevent th e buildup of leaves an d debris?

This checklist h as been adapted from Ch ecklist of Nonstructural Earthquake Hazards in Ch ild Daycare Facilities, prod

by th e Reitherm an Com pan y in 1990 for the South ern California Earthquake Preparedness Project of the California Of

Emergen cy Services.

YES


12/65

Imagine this scenario. Natural catastrophe heads our way. Our children spend their days in po

peril. You an d you r volun teers show h ow to h elp protect th e kids. Th is is a great story, an

m igh t get you r local newspapers and radio an d t elevision stations to cover it. Heres ho w.

N First, foremost and always, have fun, be inventive and be enthusiastic. Reporters an

editors like excitement. Protecting Our Kids from Disasters has plenty.

N

G e t a l i st o f a d d r e s se s, f a x a n d p h o n e n u m b e r s f o r a ll t h e n e w sp a p e r s , ra dtelevision stations that cover your community. Ask around to find out if anyone k

r e p o r t e r o r a n e d i t o r a t a n y o f t h e p a p e r s o r s t a t i o n s . T h e s e a r e t h e b e s t

conn ection s, and t h ey are always looking for good stories.

N Appoint a team member as media contact. Choose somebody who is full of fun, inv

enthusiasm and persistence.

N Write a med ia advisory that p ersuades n ews people not o n ly to attend your retrofit projalso to interview you an d your m edia con tact beforehand .

N Fax the advisory to city editors at newspapers and assignment desks at television and

stations five days before the event. Have your media contact call your connections

papers and stations to put in a good word.

N On the day before the event, have your media contact call the editors to be sure the

assigned reporters to cover the retrofit. Remember, these editors are busy and work

deadl ines , so they dont have much t ime for chat . On the other hand, they need

Your m edia cont act can sell th em your story.

N Your m edia contact is a high-energy person . If you talk to th e med ia, you sh ould be th

of person , too. Give your int erviews in visual, action-packed t erm s. You re protectin g c

from n atural disasters, an d t h eres no time for reticence.

N On th e mo rning of th e event, h ave your m edia con tact fax out th e advisory again alon

a full news release on th e project.

N During th e retrofit , the media contact should be on han d to talk about th e project to re

an d to bring o er ind i id al ol n teers for in ter ie s

P u b l i c i z i n g Y o u r E v e n t


13/65

Children at ( child care center ) on ( street ) in ( your town ) are in pot ent ial danger. Even as yoopen water curren ts, trade winds, air and water tem peratures meet in th e Caribbean for th e

ritual that spawns hurricanes. These forces could jeopardize our childrens safety.

The parents of ( child care center )s charges are determ ined, h owever, th at th e first h urrican e( your town ) will find the center prepared to withstand its wrath. These volunteers know whm ust do to keep th eir children safer, and they plan to do i t this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.

site at th e ( child care center ).

For more information on the peril and its timely remedy, or to interview one or more volu

con tact Ceil Havey im m ediately at xxx-xxxx (day) or xxx-xxxx (n igh t).

Change this sample to fit the natural disasters your region is prone to. Come up with yourown more inventive, more local,angle to get attention and stimulate interest .

Sample Media Advisory(Printed o n Your Ch ild Care Cen ter/Organization Letterhead)

0


14/65

Sample News Release(Printed o n Your Ch ild Care Cen ter/Organization Letterhead)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Con tact: Ceil Havey

Day: xxx-xxxx

Night: xxx-xxxx

PARENTS TAKE EXTRA STEPS TO PROTECT KIDS FROMNATURAL DISASTERS

(YOUR TOWN, Todays Date) This morning, the children of the ( child care center ) begthey have begun every day blissfully unaware that they might be in danger. By evening, th

dren were safer.

A days worth of work by fifteen parents, friends and neighbors eliminated several situation

posed the risk of harm to ( child care center )s 45 enrolled children. Working in concerProtecting O ur Kids from Disasters program, th ese volun teers gave th e center a basic, no n stru

fix-up th at imp roves its ability to prot ect children wh en a n atural catastroph e strikes an d allow

keep its doors op en for business afterwards.

Protecting Our Kids from Disasters is a national disaster preparedness program of the insu

industry to reduce the human and financial impact of earthquakes, f loods, hurricanes, torn

and wildfires.

Thom as Tiddlywink, who organized the volun teer effort, said h elpin g retrofit th e ( child

his responsibility as a dad. My daughter spends five days a week at this center. The staff is gwh at th ey do, bu t its still up to m e to m ake certain m y child is safe. We took sim ple and affo

precautions here today that will give me and every other parent peace of mind that our ki

cared for in a safer environm ent .


15/65

0

Change this sample to fit the natural disasters your region is prone to. Come up withyour own more inventive, more local,angle to get attention and stimulate interest

Tiddlywink and his teams work involved simple but crucial attention to nonstructural situ

that, while often overlooked, have the potential to do real damage. Bookshelves that could tip

the team bolted to the wall. Where objects could fall from shelves, the team installed ledge ba

The team secured a m assive cabinet t o a wall and added doo r latches to it. Th ey secured pictur

bulletin boards an d reinforced ligh t fixtures. Th ey added sup port to a false ceiling an d add ed s

proofing film to window glass. They secured two water heaters and trimmed several overh

trees. They cleared fire-prone vegetation and cleaned roofs and gutters of accumulated leaves

also checked fire extinguishers and smoke detectors and put together an emergency disaster k

included a three-day supply of food and water, first aid supplies, blankets, flashlights and a

weather radio. Last, but not least, they provided information that all parents whose children

th e center can u se to protect th eir ho m es.

As the volun teers went in to action, ( child care center ) Director Sarah Childcare expressed her apIm th rilled th at parents h ave stepped forward to h elp u s make th e cen ter more secure during n

emergencies. When the next big storm hits, well be ready, and now its far more likely th

children will have a place to com e back to wh en everyth ing is over.


16/65

Once you have secured the last bookshelf and your retrofit job is done, please let us knowwhat you think of the Protecting Our Kids from Disasters program. If you, and the other team

leaders, fill out this form, we at IBHS can put your feedback to use in protecting kids tha

m uch m ore effectively.

Make as many copies as you need and, when theyre complete, mail them back to:

Protecting Our Kids Coordinator

Institute for Business & Home Safety

175 Federal Street, Suite 500

Boston, MA 02110- 2222

Phone: 1 (877) 580- 8885

Fax: (617) 292- 2022

P r o je c t W r a p - U p F o r m


17/65

Child Care CenterInformation: Name:

Address:

Phone:

Contact:

Volunteer Organization(s): Name:

Team Leader: Name:

Organization:

Phone:

My child attend s this cent er:

Date of Retrofit:

How many volunteers participated in the retrofit?

How long did the retrofit take to complete?

Were materials donated? If so, by who?

[If you h ave on e, attach a list of item s comp leted in th e retrofit.]

Evaluation of Retrofit Kit:

Rate t h e kit for effectiven ess on a scale of 1 (Excellen t) to 5 (Terrible)

1. Project Leaders Ch ecklist 1 2 3 4

2. Non structu ral Safety Ch ecklist 1 2 3 43. Publicizin g Your Even t 1 2 3 4

4. Retrofit In struct ion s 1 2 3 4

5. Leave-Beh in d Materials 1 2 3 4

P r o je c t W r a p - U p F o r m


18/65

R e t r o

f i t I n s t r u c t i o n s

C hild care facilities typically have the same nonstructural hazards as other kinds of buiHowever, th ese h azards shou ld be elimin ated because youn g children are especially vulnerable

a small sh elf fallin g on a youn g child can do serious harm .

This section of Protecting Our Kids from Disasters offers detailed instruction s for dealin g with

structural hazards. The instruction s here, and in t h e accomp an ying video, cover these specific

I Bookcases

I Cabinets and Drawers

I Large Appliances and Vending Machines

I Picture Frames and Bulletin Boards

I Ceiling Lights, Suspended Ceilings and Hanging Fixtures

I Windows and Doors

I Water Heaters and Pipes & Ducts

I Landscaping

The repairs specified in th is section are based on com m on sen se. If you n otice anyth ing else th

n eeds attention , by all m eans add it to your list of tasks.


19/65

Perfect for storin g books, toys an d sup plies, boo kcases are an ind ispen sable feature in an y ch il

center. Bookcases can shake and tip, causing their contents, and sometimes the shelves thems

to fall to the floor.

Fasten all bookcases securely to a wall.

On e way to d o th is is by attach ing either L-brackets or Z-brackets between th e bookcases a

wall after predrilling holes in each. Be sure to use a bracket which can accommodate the fa

you are usin g. See Figure 1 for d etails.

I Attach ing th e bracket to th e bookcase:

For wood bookcases, attach the bracket with #8 (or larger) wood screws. Th

should be long enou gh to secure the bracket to the shelf without p un ching

an d creatin g a sh arp edge.

For plastic and metal shelves, use #8 (or larger) machine screws with wash

nuts to ensure that the bracket will stay in place. The screw should be long

to accomm odate th e bracket, shelf, wash er and n ut.

I Attach ing th e bracket to th e walls:

For woo d stud walls, use 3inch long #8 (or larger) wood screws to attach each

to the wall. Place screws in the wood studs to assure that they are properly su

Use a stud locator to fin d th e best places.

For stone or masonry walls, place plastic anchors in the holes before you s

3inch long #8 (or larger) screws, or consider using3

16 -inch diametem asonry screws.

Bookcases

Exterior bracketsalong top o r sides

Interiorbrackets

Wood screw

Bookcase

Woodstud

Wood screwor machine

screw

Bookcase

Exterior L-Bracket Interior L-Bracket

Figure 1: Attach m ent Meth ods for Bookcases

Wood screwor machine

screw

DrywallDrywall

Screwsthrough back


20/65

I For a bo okcase with a solid back, pass scr

directly through the back into the wall. U

to spread con tact over a larger area betwe

screw and the bookcases back. If you are

with a wood stud wall, use a stud locatorth e best location s for th e 3-in ch lon g #8

wood screws. For a stone or masonry wa

plastic anchors with the #8 (or larger) scr

use 3 16 -in ch d iameter m asonry screws.

I Prevent items on shelves from fallin g by

ledge barriers made from strips of wood

plastic. Cut them to fi t the shelf and atwith glue or mechanical fasteners. Finish t

to match the shelves. See Figure 2 for det

I Place heavy items on lower shelves.

I Stabilize bookcases that are not agains

at taching them back- to-back wi th #8

machine screws, oversize washers and

Figure 3.Brackets at top orat sides securedaccordingly

Metal, plastic orwood ledge barriers

prevent objects fromfallin g off shelves

Bolt back-to-back th rougframe at corn ers with #8larger) mach ine screws a

Figure 2: Ledge Barriers for Bookcases

Figure 3 : Atta ch Freestan din g Bookcases Back-to-Back

Connect ions n om ore than 12" apart


21/65

Potted plant orother heavy object

Ledge barrier alternative

Attach object withm useum gel or large

patches of hoo k and loop m aterial(such as Velcro )

I Affix large, heavy items, such as plants and aquariums, and breakables directly to

shelf to keep th em from falling. Apply h ook an d loop m aterial (such as Velcro )

gel to secure th ese items. For added protection , use m etal, plastic or woo d ledge barr

See Figure 4 for details.

Necessary Tools and Materials

I L- or Z-bracket s (quan

I Fasteners

I Plastic an cho rs for m asonry walls

I Variable speed drill and bits I Screwdriver

I Stud locator

I Wood, p lastic or m etal strips

Figure 4: Secure Heavy O bjects to Bookcases


22/65

Cabinets and Drawers

Atta ch Bracket to Wall:For woo d stu d walls,

use # 8 (or larger) woodscrews with 3" min .

embedm ent in studs. Form asonry walls, use 3"

long #8 (or larger) screwswith plastic anchors or

3 16 -in ch d iamet er (or larger)m asonry screws.

Secure freestandin gcabinets to floor,

floor joists or

Top conntie units to form astable conSteel stra(or largerscrew mi& washer

For bracket attachmentto cabin ets, use #8 (orlarger) m achin e screwswith n uts and washers.

Alternative: Bolt bothsides of adjacent cabinets

togeth er at 4 corn ers.Use #8 (or larger)m achine screw with n utand washers on each side.

Cabinets can tip over just like bookcases, and their sharp-edged drawers can slide out with danconsequences. Moreover, th e cabinet doors and drawers m ay open, spill in g th eir conten ts.

I To secure them , do th e following:

Attach cabinets to the wall and floors using L-brackets or Z-brackets. Again,

to u se brackets which can accomm odate th e diameter of the fasten ers. You

follow the specific directions given in Figure 5 below and in the Bookcases sec

securing the bracket to the wall and cabinet.

Secure freestanding cabinets to the floor with a metal angle so that, during a

quake, they will not move or tip over. Use an angle that can accommodate the d

of the fasteners. The fasteners should be long enough to accommodate the th

o f t h e a n g l e a n d p r o v i d e a d e q u a t e e m b e d m e n t i n t o t h e f l o o r, f l o o r j

con crete slab.

Figure 5: Secure Cabinets and Drawers


23/65

I Heavy objects such as televisions, com put ers an d stereos are usually placed o n top of cabookcases and tables. Fasten these items so they will not slide off during an earthqu

h urrican e. Several meth ods of attachm ent are show n in Figure 8.

I To p reven t cabin et

doors from swinging

open and spil lingth eir conten ts,

install mechanical

or self-lockin g

latch es. A variety

of typ es are avail-

able at your local

h ardware store.

See Figures 6 & 7

for det ails.

Install strong mechanicalcabinet catches (safety

clasp, slide bolt, touch -door cabinet catch,clip-roller or snap-actioncabinet catch , etc.)

Alternative:Provide doo rlatches.See Figure 7 .

Install mechanicaldrawer closure(baby-proof latches,drawer lock, oroth er specialtylatches)

Necessary Tool

MaterialsI L- or Z-brack

or m etal ang

I Fasteners

I Door or drawlatches

I Plastic anch

masonry waI Variable spe

drill and bit

I Screwdriver

I Stud locator

Hook andloopmaterial(such asVelcro )

Adhesive-backed latches Rubberdoorknob

bumpersChain

Elastic cord

Ledge b arrier

Figure 6: Secure Cabinet Doors and DrawersFig

Figure 8: Secure Hea vy Objects t o Shelves


24/65

Large Appliances and Vending Machines

Large applian ces an d ven din g mach ines can slide as well as fall over from th e force of an earthor wind storm. Furtherm ore, heavy objects on wh eels can roll if brakes are not provided an d loc

I Anchor large appliances and vending machines to walls using safety cables or strap

restraint should be located in the mid- to upper-portion of the appliance. Be sure to

screw-eyes wh ich are sized app ropriately for th e app lian ce. Use on e of th e following m e

Method 1:

For wood stud walls, use a stud locator to find the best wall lo

in stall screw-eyes.

Connect coated wire cable to the screw-eye at one end and to a snfasten er at the oth er end.

Attach th e safety cable to th e appliance with t h e sn ap-hoo k fastene

Method 2:

For wood stud walls, use a stud locator to find the best wall lo

install two screw-eyes on either side of th e appliance. For ston e or

walls, place plastic anchors in the predrilled holes before you in

screw-eyes.

Wr a p c o a t e d w i r e c a b l e a r o u n d t h e a p p l i a n c e , c o n n e c t i n g

snap-ho ok fasten ers to th e two screw-eyes secured in to t h e wall.

I Replace rigid water or gas connections on large appliances with listed or approved f

connectors.

Check loca l bu i ld ing codes to see i f f l ex ib le connec to r s mus t be i

by a professional.

I Always lock th e rollers of an y large applian ces or pieces of furn iture (e.g., piano s).

Necessary Tools and MaterialsI Coated wire cable (quantity)

or oth er strappin g system

I Variable speed drill and bits I Screwdriver


25/65

Picture Frames and Bulletin Boards

Pictures and bulletin boards play essential roles in the spirit and function of a child care

but both will fall du ring a violent storm or earthq uake if th ey are n ot securely fastened to th e w

I Use closed screw-eyes, instead of tradit ional picture hangers, for securing picture f

bulletin boards and m irrors.

Depending on the weight of the object and the screw-eyes maximum weig

screw on e or m ore closed screw-eyes into wall stud (s). Use a stud fin der

mine the appropriate location for the screw(s).

Attach picture wire to one side of the frame. Then thread the wire thro

closed screw-eye, fastenin g it securely to t h e oth er side of th e frame. See Figur

An alternate plan involves us

screw-eye instead of a closed

The hook should be c losed

once the picture h as been hu n

I Always mount heavy or sharp wa

away from places where they co

children.


I Stud locator ____(q

I Screwdriver ____

I Variable speed

drill an d bits ____

I Screw-eye(s) ____

I Heavy p ictu re wire ____

I

Pliers ____

Wall stu d

Drywall

Picture o rmirror

Picturewire

Closedscrew-eye

Figure 9: Secure Pictu re Frames t o Wall


26/65

Ceiling Lights, Suspended Ceilings and Hanging Fixtures

If not well attached and supported, ceiling lights, suspended ceilings and hanging

f ixtures can fa l l down in a natura l d isas ter, wi th ser ious consequences for the

children below.

I Secure ceilin g ligh ts to su pp orts u sin g safety cables.

Use a chain strap or a minimum 14-gauge wire to attach each of the light fixtures

corners to a nearby ceiling support. Locate the support visually or use a stud locator. Be

to leave the safety cables slack; they should not support the weight of the lights under m al circum stan ces. See Figure 10 for d etails.

If the ceiling light has a cover, keep it from falling during an earthquake or windstorm

fasten ing it to th e fixture itself or to th e perman ent structure.

Pay special attention to the fluorescent lights. Installing plastic sleeves over the fluorescent li

tubes will keep the glass from scattering if they break. As an alternative, consider using Tef

fluorescent lights, which are shatter resistant.

Chain straps or14-gauge wireat each corner

or at least atdiagonally

opposite corners

General Notes:1. For exposed fluorescen t light

bulbs, use protective sleeves.

l h b f ll

Figure 10: Secure Ceilin g Light s to Supp orts with Safety Cables

Ms


27/65

I U s i n g s a f e t y c a b l e

s u s p e n d e d o r f a l s e c

p e r m a n e n t s t r u c t u r a

every few feet.

Use ch ain straps, plum

ping o r heavy wi re

14-gauge) to secure s

false ceilings. See Figu

Screws, bolts or other

f a s t e n e r s s h o u l d

attach the safety cab

t h e s u s p e n d e d c e il

perman ent structural

I n o r d e r t o p r e v e

movement, adjustab

sion struts can be ins

Main ceilingsupport

Adjustable com pressionstruts prevent upwardmovement

Safety cables

I M a k e s u r e c e i l i n g f a n s , p l a n t s a n d o t h e r s u s p e n d e d f i x t u r e s a r e s a f e l y s e c u

perman ent structural members.

All items suspended from the ceiling need a safety cable to connect the fixture to a

s u p p o r t . T h e s a f e t y c a b l e s h o u l d n o t s u p p o r t t h e w e i g h t o f t h e i t e m u n d e r n

circum stances. In stead, it sh ould remain slack.

Keep in mind that hanging items may sway easily. Make sure these objects will not c

with an ything if they sh ould begin to swing.

Necessary Tools and MaterialsI Safety cables, chain straps,

h e av y w ir e o r plu m b er s st ra pp in g ____(q u an t it y)

Figure 11 : Atta ch Ceiling Safety Cables

Ceilingpanel


28/65

Windows and glass doors are a normal and brightening part of life in any child care center, bu

n atural disaster glass can break, som etimes explosively, put ting ch ildren in d an ger not o n ly fro

flying glass but also from exposure to th e violence of th e elem ent s outside th e building.

I Child care centers have either double or single entry doors. If they are solid wood or

metal, they probably can resist wind pressures and hurricane debris. Nonetheless, the f

ing precautions should be taken to ensure that th e doors do n ot fly open during a disas

expose the center to additional damage:

Ins ta l l head and foot b

inactive door of double e

Make sure the doors h

three hinges and a dead b

lo ck w h i ch h a s a m in

inch bolt throw len gth.

Since double entry doortheir surface bolts break a

trim or threshold, check

tions at both places. Be

face bolt extend s in to th e

and through the thresh

subfloor. See Figure 12 for

Windows and Doors

Figure 12b : Foot er DetailFigure 12a : Header Detail

Figure 12: Double Entry Door Elevation


29/65

I App ly a protective safety film to w ind ows an d glass doors to m ake th em safer.

A protective film (min imu m th ickn ess of 4 mils) can b e used on all types of glass inc

tempered glass and annealed glass. It comes in rolls and is available at local haan d h om e im provem ent stores. Install th e film accordin g to the m an ufacturer s

tion s. Th e installation process usually includes th e following steps:

x Precut the film to a size slightly larger than the windowpane to

will be applied.

y Clean t h e glass.

z Moisten th e glass with water from a spray bottle.

{ Peel off th e removable backing an d ap ply th e film t o th e glass.

| Use soapy water and a squeegee to smooth th e film an d rem ove

air bubbles.

} Cut away any excess film with a utility knife. Be careful not to

score th e glass.

As an alternative, consider profession al installation .

I In areas of the country where hurr icanes pose a substant ia l threat , s t ronger protec

required. Shutters provide a good method of safeguarding windows and glass doors

wind-borne debris. In addition, they can reduce damage caused by sudden pressure c

when a window or door is broken. Many different designs of shutters are available, inc

temp orary and perman ent systems.

Temporary Shutter Systems

The easiest designs are those which simply cover the opening with a structur

such as plywood. In past hurricanes, however, temporary plywood shuttershave blown off because they were not adequately fastened. Beter s own ers an d em ployees kno w h ow to prop erly attach th e panels over th

ings before a hu rricane app roaches. It is a good idea to h ave these temp orary

stored on-site and ready to use for the next hurricane warning. If the center with concrete blocks, the anchoring devices for the shutters should be inst

part of the n on structural retrofit.

The APA Th e En gineered Woo d Association offers a series of hu rrican e shu tter

which meet all necessary standards for resisting wind forces and wind-borne


30/65

They include:

Design 1: Shutters for Wood-Frame Buildings

Design 2: Sh ut ters for Masonr y Block Stru ctures, Barrel Bolt Latch Supports

Design 3: Sh ut ters for Mason ry Block Struct ures, Steel or Aluminum Angleand Screw Supports

Design 4: Sh ut ters for Mason ry Block Struct ures, Shutters Attached to Outside Wallwith Permanently Mounted Brackets

Design 5:Sh ut ters for Mason ry Block Struct ures,

For Openings Wider than Eight FeThe deta i l d iagrams shown in Figures 13 and 14 i l lus t ra te how shut ters can be ins ta l le

woo d-frame stru cture (APA Design 1).

Figure 13a: Shu tter Attachm ent View From Outside

Figure 13b: Shutter Stiffener Attachment


31/65

Permanent Shutter Systems

Existing System s

Some centers may have permanent shutters. While i t takes very l i t t le t ime and ef

evaluate shutter effectiveness, the benefits of properly protected doors and windo

substantial. Th e no n structural retrofit presents an ideal time to inspect th e shut ters.

To determ ine wh eth er a shut ter can resist th e imp act of a rigid piece of debr

tly lean again st it an d see if it yields. A very flexible shut ter m ay ben d an d

struck by debris.

Figure 14a: Sh utter Attach m ent Top

Figure 14b: Sh utter Attach m ent Bottom


32/65

New SystemsIf the center i s in teres ted in ins ta l l ing a permanent shut ter sys tem or impact- re

windows, care should be taken to ensure that the system meets the necessary standa

resisting win d forces and wind -born e debris. Current ly, on ly the Sout h Florida Building

and the Southern Building Code Congress International have missile impact test stan

Permanent and temporary shutters, and impact-resistant windows and doors shoul

on e or all of these stan dards:

SSTD-12: Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI) Win

Debris Imp act Tests

A 2 0 1 : I m p a c t Te s t P r o c e d u r e s , M e t r o p o l i t a n D a d e C o u n t y B u i l d i n

Com pliance O ffice

I Safety film ____(quan tity)

I Spray bottle with

clean water ____

I Squeegee ____

I Soapy water ____

I Utility kn ife ____

I Plywood

I Saw

I Heavy-du ty fasten ers

I Measurin g tape

I Stud locator



33/65

Water Heaters and Pipes & Ducts

Even if children do not have immediate access to them, water heaters can tip over in a disastspill dangerously hot water into a building. If the heaters run on flammable gas and the g

breaks, th e situation becom es far m ore serious. Similar problems afflict overh ead p ipes and duc

In many areas of the country where earthquakes are common, local building codes may requir

water heaters are laterally braced or strapped to resist horizontal seismic forces. Most hardware

sell retrofit kits for different sized water heaters. In addition, several generic restraint system

available. Before you decide on a retrofit, check with the local building department and mak

th at it is approved for use in th e area.

I Secure water heaters (up to 50 gallons) to stud walls usin g th e sim ple, gen eric m eth od deta

Figures 15 th rough 17.

You can an chor t h e water heater using items th at are readily available from th e local ha

store, in cluding:

Heavy-du ty sh elvin g brackets;

3 4-inch plum bers strappin g (metal strapping with perforated h oles);

2 X 4 wood b lock ing ; and

Various fasten ers.

To begin: fasten two 2 x 4 wood blockin g strips to th e nearby wall on e at a h eigh t with

upper one-third ( 1 3) of the water heater and the other within the lower one-third (

water h eater. The lower 2 x 4 sho uld be at least four (4) in ches above th e water h eater c

If you are working with a wood or metal stud wall, attach the blocking directly to the

Use a stud locator to find th e studs.

Fasten heavy-duty shelving brackets to the wood blocking. These brackets should fit

again st th e water heater.

Wrap plum bers strappin g aroun d th e heater and secure it to th e brackets.

I Use flexible conn ectors for all utility con n ection s instead of rigid con n ectors.

Be sure to ch eck with local buildin g code o fficials to see if a licensed

plum ber is required to install flexible conn ections.


34/65

Figure 15: Overview o f Typical Retrofitt ed Water Hea ter

Existing water h eater

3 4" plum bers strappin g

wrapped snugly aroun dwater heater

Heavy-dut y shelvingbracket located within thetop 1 3 of the water heater

Existing wall

2 x 4 wood blocking

Heavy-dut y shelvingbracket located withinthe lower 1 3 of the waterh eater. It must be 4"m in. above the waterheater control.


35/65

Figure 16: Straight Wall Configuration

Exten d blocking at least two stud sbeyond bracket attachm ent

Existin g wall

2 x 4block

Use (1) heavshelving bra(4 places)

Use m in. 3 4" plum bersstrapping. Wraparound water heaterand provide snug fit.

Attach ben t en ds of strappingwith 1 4" m in. x 1" hex bolt. Usewashers under head and n ut.Keep 1" between end of strapping an d center of bolt.

Attach bracket to p lum bersstrapping with 1 4" m in. x3 4" hex bolt. Use a washer

un der nu t. Keep 1"between en d of bracket

and center of bolt.

Attach bracket toblocking with (2)#16 (or m in. 1 4")

x 1 1 2" lag screws

Existingwater heater

General Notes: Blocking Attachment to Wall

1. Wood stud walls: Use (2) #16 (or min. 1 4") x 3 1 2" lag screws with hex head an

un der h ead of screw.

2. Concrete walls: Use 3 8" diameter masonry ancho rs with 1 5 8" embedm ent in to ex

at 12 "-16 " on cen ter.

3. Steel stud walls: Use (2) #10-16 self-drilling sheet metal screws with hex head and wa

un der h ead of screw.

4 For wood an d m etal stud walls cent er screws on studs


36/65

Figure 17: Corner Wall Configuration

Existing wall

Attach blockin g toSee General Notes

2 x 4 wood b locking,(4 places)

Use (1) heavy-duty sh elvin gbracket, (4 places)

Use m in.3 4

" plum bersstrapping. Wrap aroundwater heater and p rovidesnug fit.

Attach ben t en ds of strapping with a1 4" m in. x 1" hex bo lt. Use washersunder head and nut. Keep 1" betweenend o f strapping and center of bolt.

Attach bracket to p lum bersstrapping with 1 4" m in. x 3 4" hexbolt. Use a washer un der nut .Keep 1" between en d of bracketand center of bolt.

Attach bracketto blocking with

(2) #16 (or1

4" m in.)x 1 1 2" lag screws

Existingwater heater

General Notes: Blocking Attachment to Wall

1. Wood stud walls: Use (2) #16 (or min. 1 4" ) x 3 1 2" lag screws with hex head washer un der h ead of screw.

2. Concrete walls: Use 3 8" diameter masonry anchors with 1 5 8 " embedment

existing wall at 12"-16" on cen ter.


37/65


38/65

Landscaping

A yard has to be maintained for safety as well as beauty. Unkempt brush and dry lawns can catcso can sheds an d woo dp iles. Overhan gin g tree lim bs, and en tire diseased trees, can fall throu gh a

I M a k e s u r e t h a

number of the c

and legible from

This wi l l ensur

gency vehic les

troub le locating

I A well-maintaine

k e y t o p r e v e n t

from fires and ot

See Figure 18 for

Position trees at least 10 feet apart an d at least 100 feet from th e child care

Rem ove an y dead trees or trees that pose a th reat of falling on th e child care

Prun e trees up to six feet from t he groun d an d trim bran ches that extend

roofs of buildings.

Clean pin e needles, leaves an d ot h er debris from roofs an d gutt ers often.

Mow th e lawn an d rem ove leaf clutter regularly.

Be sure to irrigate t h e yard p eriodically.

En close the un dersides of aboveground decks with no n combu st ib le m

such as wire mesh, in ord er to prevent th e buildup of leaves an d oth er deb

IFor landscaping, plant native, fire-resistant vegetation, and avoid vines or climbingwh ich m ay serve as a link between grass and treetops or roofs during a fire.

I Store firewood 50 feet away from th e building, so as n ot t o p rovide fuel for a fire.

Distan ce from tree to ch ild care facilityshould always be greater than theheight of the full grown tree

Distance from t he o utbuilding to childcare facility should always be greaterthan the height of the outbuilding

Figure 18: Lan dscape Layout

h l f


39/65

Iden tification an d Redu ction o f Nonstructu ral Earthq uake Hazards in Schoo ls. Federal Emergency Management Agency. July 19 93.

Http://www.fema.gov/MIT/schfae.htm. 1/28/98.

Mroz, M.P., an d T.T. Soo n g. Fire Hazards an d Mitigation Measures Associated w ith

Seism ic Dam age of Water Heaters. NIST. Gaithersburg, MD. 1997.

Redu cing Risk Th rou gh Mitigation : Th e Mitigation How -To Series.

Federal Emergency Management Agency. Http://www.fema.gov/MIT/h om emit.htm . 1/28/

Taite, Morris. Hu rricane Survival Made Easy. Wisdom Market Press. Nort h Miam i Beach , Flori

Techniques for Mitigating Earthquake Hazards. Association for Bay Area Governments.

4/1/97. Http://www.abag.ca.gov/bayarea/eqmaps/fixit/fixit.html. 1/28/98.

Technical References


40/65

Le a v e -B e h i n d M a t e r i a

l s

f o rC h i l d C

a r e C e n t e r s a n d P a r e n t s

After retrofittin g your ch ilds day care cent er, you can cont inu e to p rotect th e children b y l

addition al safety tips with th e cent er s own ers and operators. IBHS has prepared a piece titled

Prepared Before a Disaster Strikes. In th is h an dou t, we recom m end such com m on sense measu

preparing a disaster kit, disposing of paint cans and keeping poison control information on han

In ad dition , th is section also in cludes IBHSs Protectin g You r Hom e series. These h an do ut s

you to take the next step in fostering natural disaster mitigationprotecting the families at

The guides offer parents techniques they can implement to make their homes more resilient a

windstorms, earthquakes, floods, wildfires and hailstorms. They also include additional sourc

information. Pick out the hazards which affect the local community and encourage your chil

cen ter to send th e hand outs hom e with th e children .

P r o t e c t i n g Y o u r H o m e . . .


41/65

The work th at volun teers com pleted tod ay has m ade your ch ild care cen ter a safer place. But ke

bookcases up righ t an d glass in its fram e is just th e begin n ing. Take th ese extra precaution s to p

you r ch arges as fully as possible.

G Make certain your building h as sm oke detectors on each floor. Ch eck th em m on th ly.

G If your facility has gas, oil or wood h eat, install a carbon m on oxide detector in each separate a

G Train all of your em ployees in wh at to d o du ring an em ergency. Make certain all staff me

know where th e extinguisher is located an d h ow to use it .

G Know where uti l i ty connections are located. Learn how and when to turn them off.

try to turn them back on yourself , however. Have the fire department or gas and e

com pan ies turn th e utilities back on wh en th e area is secure.

Being Prepared Before a Disaster Strikes

Latch on doorm ust not lock un less glass canbe easily brokenfor access

Good locationfor flashlight

Cabinet boltedto wall stud

Quick-releasestrap

P r o t e c t i n g Y o u r K i d s . . .


42/65

G Prepare a d isaster kit t h at in cludes th e followin g:

A first aid kit

A portable NOAA weather radio with bat

A flashlight with batteries

Waterproof plastic bags

Extra b atteries

Three-day sup plies of:

Water

Baby formula

Food requ irin g no refrigeration or cook

Diapers

Check your disaster kit two times a year (when the clocks change is a good time) to repl

batteries and change the water and food supplies.


G Sm oke detectors ____(quan tity)

G Fire extin gu ish ers ____

G Portable NOAA weather radio ____

G C arb on m o n ox id e det ect ors ____

G Disaster kit m aterials ____


43/65

Seemingly innocent items like the teddy bear in the toy box or a childs winter coat can actua

just as hazardous to your charges as unsecured cabinets or falling light fixtures. Cords on

blinds can cause a child to strangle or suffocate. Hard p laygroun d surfaces can cause head inju

a fall. Follow these recommendations from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

certain you r child care settin g is as safe as possible every day.

G CRIBS: Make sure cribs are in good condition and meet current national safety st(look for a certification safety seal). Avoid older cribs, wh ich m ay n ot m eet current stan

Make certain crib slats are no m ore th an 2 3 8-in ch ap art an d th at m attresses fit snu gly

G SOFT BEDDING: Avoid using pillows, soft bedding or comforters when putting bsleep. Put babies down on th eir backs in a crib with a firm, flat mat tress.

G PLAYGROUNDS: Look for safe surfacin g on out doo r playgroun ds: at least 12 inch es chips, m ulch, san d o r pea gravel, or m ats mad e of safety-tested rubber or ru bberlike m ate

Check playground surfacing and equipment regularly to make sure they are maintaigood con dition .

G SAFETY GATES: Use safety gates to keep children away from potentially dangerouespecially stairs.

G WINDOW BLIND AND CURTAIN CORDS: Be sure mini-blinds and venetian blihave looped cords. Confirm that vertical blinds, continuous loop blinds and drapery

have tension or tie-down devices to hold the cords tight.G CLOTHING DRAWSTRINGS: Be sure th ere are no drawstrings around the ho od an

childrens cloth ing. Use oth er types of cloth ing fasten ers, like snaps, zipp ers or hoo k an

fasteners.

Against Everyday DisastersP r o t e c t i n g Y o u r K i d s . . .


44/65

For more information about general childrens safety and recalls of childrens toys and pro

contact:

U.S. Consumer Product Safety CommissionWashington, D.C. 20207

Toll-free h otlin e: 1-800-638-2772

http://www.cpsc.gov

ATTENTION CHILD CARE CENTER OWNER/OPERATOR: This information is also i parents. Please share it with your students parents so they can make their homes safer as well.


45/65

California may think it owns earthquakes, but if you live anywhere west or just east of the Ro

you live in an earthquake zone. If you live along the Mississippi River in the New Madrid r

well , th ats an earth qu ake zone, to o. An d th e south ern Appa lachian s? Yes. New England

Alaska? Absolu tely.

You don t h ave to lose your h om e an d possessions to n atures sh ake, rattle an d roll. Its nev

early to prepare and you can take several basic steps righ t n ow to p rotect your family an d you r

from disaster.

If youre handy with a hammer and screwdriver, you can secure appliances, furniture and keep

yourself. Work involving your h om es structure ten ds to be q uite com plex, ho wever, an d gen

requires the expertise of a registered design professional such as an architect or engineer

licensed bu ilding con tractor.

Before making any structural changes to your home, check with your local building officials

sure what youre doing complies with local building codes. Experts agree that structures b

meet or exceed current model building codes have a much better chance of surviving an earthq

INSIDE YOUR HOUSE

G An chor bookcases an d filing cabinets to n earby walls.

G Install latches on d rawers an d cabinet d oors to keep cont ent s from spillin g.

G Install ledge barriers on shelves, place heavy items on lower shelves, and secure large, hea

items an d b reakables directly to shelves to keep t h em from fallin g.

G Use closed screw-eyes an d w ire to securely attach fram ed p ictures an d m irrors to t h e wall

G Attach com pu ters an d sm all appliances to desks, tables or coun tertops.

G Secure ceil ing l ights, suspended ceil ings and other hanging i tems such as chandelie

Against Earthquake DamageP r o t e c t

i n g Y o u r H o m e . . .


46/65

G Fit all gas appliances with flexible connections and/or a breakaway gas shut-off de

install a main gas shut-off device. (Check your local building codes to determine wheth

m ay install flexible con n ectors yourself or wheth er a profession al mu st install th em.

THE HOUSE ITSELF

An earthq uake put s your hom es structure to th e test: it m ust absorb th e earth quakes en er

provide a stable path to tran sfer these forces back into th e groun d. Your h om e is m ore likely

this test when it is properly tied together. That is, when the roof is attached tightly to the wa

walls are fastened to each other and, finally, when the walls are braced and anchored to a

foundat ion.

If the structural elem ents of your hom e need rein forcing, som e of the m ost imp ortant an d co

retrofits include:

G Adding anchor bolts or steel plates between your home and its foundation.

G Bracing the inside of your homes cripple wall - the short wood-stud wall between the

the foundation wall and the first floor - with sheathing.

G Bracing unreinforced chimneys, masonry and concrete walls and foundations.

BEFORE AN EARTHQUAKE STRIKES

You can im prove th e odds of your h om e survivin g an earthq uake by takin g these precautio

you wont make it quake-proof. Nor do these measures guarantee your safety. Earthquakes

with no warning, so take these additional steps to protect yourself and your family as fully as po

G Teach everyone to duck or drop to the floor, take cover under a desk or table andon to it when an earthquake strikes. Remember the phrase: Duck, cover and hold.

G Become familiar with your communitys disaster preparedness plans and create a famil

Iden tify escape routes from your h om e and neighborh ood an d designate an emergen cy m

place for the family to reunite if you become separated. Also establish a contact

communicate with concerned relatives.

G Make certain all adult and teenage members of the family know where your gas, elecwater main shutoff controls are and how to turn them off if there is a leak or electrica

keep necessary wrenches close by.

G Put togeth er an em ergen cy kit th at includes a three-day supply of drin king water and fo


47/65

WHEN AN EARTHQUAKE STRIKES

G If you are in doo rs when an earthq uake strikes, stay there. Move away from wind ows, sky

doors and things that can fall. Duck, cover and hold until the shaking stops.

G If you are outdoors, move quickly and safely into the open, away from electrical lines

and buildings. Drop to th e groun d an d wait for th e shakin g to stop.

G If you are d rivin g, carefully and slowly bring you r vehicle to a stop at th e side of th e roa

from traffic. Do not stop on or under bridges, under power lines or near roadway sign

might fall. Once the shaking has stopped you can continue driving, but watch carefu

possible dam age to th e roadway.

AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE STRIKES

G Check for gas or water leaks and electrical shorts, and turn off damaged utilities. Don't

turn them back on yourself, however. Have the fire department or gas and electric com

turn th e utilities back on wh en t h e area is secured.

G Obey evacuation orders from local auth orities.

G Be prepared for aftershocks

For more information about protecting your family and home from earthquakes, check this sou

Institute for Business & Home Safety. Boston.Toll-free: 1-877-580-8885. Web site: ht tp ://ww w.ibh s.org.

Publication: Is Your Home Protected From Earthquake Disaster?A Homeowners Guide to Earthquake Retrofit.


48/65

Against Flood DamageP r o t e c t

i n g Y o u r H o m e . . .

Rain. Tides. Levee failure. Ice jam. Snow m elt. Floods h appen , an d t h ey h appen beside rivers,

coast, in deserts and on city streets. You d on t h ave to lose your h om e and possessions to ram p

waters, however. Its never too early to prepare and you can take several basic steps right now to p

your family an d your h om e from disaster.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

1. Check with your city or county building authority, your insurance agent or your mortgage to find out if your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NF

your h ouse is in a p articipating com m un ity, you live in a flood zone. Period.

2. Consult the same sources to determine if your home is in a Special Flood Hazard Area, which

least a one-percent chance of being flooded in any given year. Perhaps you live in an A

generally near a lake, river or stream and subject to rising water. Or you may live in a V zo

area that involves beachfront homes and is susceptible to wind-driven waves as well as rising w

KNOW YOUR BFE

Wh eth er you live near a river or on th e oceans sh ore, you sh ould kn ow th e expected floodin

in your area. The base flood elevation (BFE), in other words. Consult your local building aut

for the base flood elevation in you r imm ediate area.

Also ch eck buildin g departm ent records or your prop erty survey for the elevation of your h

lowest floor. This is the lowest enclosed area in your home, including any area - your baseme

instan ce - th at is below groun d level on all sides. If you are un able to determ ine you r h ouses

floor elevation , h ire a licensed surveyor to do it.

IF YOU LIVE IN AN A ZONE


49/65

You can also take th e following m easures to avoid flood dam age in an A zone:

G Use water-resistan t building m aterials in areas below th e base flood elevation.

G Leave the basemen t or lower floors unfinished if theyre below th e base flood elevation.

G Prevent sewer lines from backin g up by in stallin g backflow valves or stan dpipes.

G Raise your washer and dryer and other equipment such as the water heater, oil tanks, f

an d electrical wiring on con crete blocks, above th e base flood elevation level. If you are

to raise a particular item , consider anch oring it an d p rotecting it with a flood wall or sh ie

G Install flood shields or built-up barriers for basement windows and doors. The tops of

an d barriers shou ld extend abo ve the base flood elevation .

G Install an d m aintain a sum p pu m p system if you h ave below-grade floors.

G Lan dscape with n ative plan ts and vegetation th at resist soil erosion .

IF YOU LIVE IN A V ZONE

Hom es in V zones are threatened n ot on ly by risin g water, but by wave action as well. Th e a

in this case: relocate your home. If relocating isnt an option, however, elevate your house on

or piers. Here, too, you must use design standards that meet the minimum requirements o

comm un itys local floodplain m anagemen t bu ilding ordin ance for new construction and substan

imp roved structures. Be sure to h ave an arch itect or en gin eer evaluate your elevation plan s.

WHEN A FLOOD THREATENS

You can improve th e odds of your h om e surviving a flood by taking th ese precaution s, b

won t m ake it flood-proof. Nor d o t h ese m easures guarantee yo ur safety. Take th ese add itiona

to protect yourself and your family as fully as possible:

G Become familiar with your communitys disaster preparedness plans and create a family

Identify escape routes from your home and neighborhood and designate an emergency m

place for your family to reunite if you become separated. Also establish a contact p

communicate with concerned relatives.G Put togeth er an em ergency kit that in cludes a th ree-day supply of drin king water and foo

dont have to refrigerate or cook; first aid supplies; a portable NOAA weather radio; a w

and other bas ic tools ; a f lashl ight ; work gloves; emergency cooking equipment ; po

l f h b i f h i f i l hi bl k b b i


50/65

For mo re in formation abou t protecting your h om e and family from flood s, check th is source:

National Flood Insurance ProgramFederal Em ergency Man agemen t Agency

Federal Insurance Administration

500 C Street, S.W.

Washington, D.C. 20472

1-800-427-4661

http://www.fema.gov/nfip/


51/65

Hail can occur in an y stron g thu n derstorm , which m eans h ail is a th reat everywh ere. Wh en it

can shred roof coverings and lead to water damage to your ceilings, walls, floors, appliances and pe

possessions. Knowing which roof coverings resist impact well can save you lots of trouble and m

Keep in m ind, h owever, th at m ost roofing jobs are not for the d o-it-yourselfer. Un less you h av

of experience in replacing roof coverings, hire a professional roofing contractor to handle thi

An d b efore you reroof, check with your local building officials to be sure wh at you re doin g com

with local building codes.

WHEN YOU REPLACE YOUR ROOF COVERING

G If you are replacing your old, worn out roof covering with new asphalt shingles, make sur

have a Class 4 rating under Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2218 standard. A Class 4 ratin

you a sample of the prod uct did n ot crack when h it twice in th e sam e area by a two-in ch ste

G The UL 2218 standard is a useful method for testing impact resistance, but it isnt perfe

works better for some roof coverings than for others. The UL standard measures wh

produ ct cracks un der imp act. Som e roof coverin gs, particularly som e m ade of m etal, may

cracking but can be den ted an d dim ple. So, wh ile th ese roof coverings may test well, theperform poorly in practice. Keep this in mind when using the UL standard to gauge the q

of a roof covering.

For m ore in formation about p rotectin g your hom e from h ail dam age, check this source:

Institute for Business & Home Safety . Boston.Toll-free: 1-877-580-8885. Web site: h ttp ://www.ibh s.org.

Publication: Is Your Home Protected From Hail Damage?A Homeowners Guide to Roofing and Hail.

P r o t e c t i n g Y o u r H o m e . . . Against Hail Damage


52/65

P r o t e c t i n g Y o u r H o m e . . . Against Damage From Freezing Weather

As if slippery sidewalks and snow-covered cars arent bad enough during the winter, you face an

pot ent ial h eadache: ruined carpets and water dam age to your ceilings and walls from leaks cau

ice dams or bu rsting p ipes. You can avoid t h e resulting aggravation an d exp ense by taking s

basic steps right n ow to p reven t th is kind o f dam age.

If youre handy with a hammer and screwdriver, you can do much of the work yourself .

involving you r h om es structu re may requ ire a buildin g cont ractor, h owever, or even a reg

design profession al such as an arch itect or engin eer.


sure what youre doin g comp lies with local building codes.

ICE DAMS

An ice dam is an accumu lation of ice at th e lower edge of a sloped roof, usually at th e gutter.

interior heat m elts th e sn ow on th e roof, th e water will run down an d refreeze at th e roof

where temperatures are much cooler. Eventually, the ice builds up and blocks water from dra

off the roof. This, in turn, forces the water under the roof covering and into your attic or dow

inside walls of your h ouse.

On ce an ice dam forms th e poten tial damage can b e serious. Take these steps n ow to avoid trouble

G Keep th e attic well ventilated. Th e colder the att ic, th e less melting an d refreezing on th e

G Keep the att ic floor well insulated to minimize the amount of heat r ising through th

from within th e house.

This two-step approach decreases the likelihood that ice dams will form or, at least, reduces their siz

As an extra precaution against roof leaks in case ice dams do form, install a water-repellent mem

under your roof covering. Talk with your local building official about minimum code require

for ice dam p rotection.


53/65

FREEZING PIPES

Frozen water in pipes can cause water pressure buildup between the ice blockage and the

faucet at the end of the pipe, which leads to pipes bursting at their weakest point. Pipes in crawl spaces and outside walls are particularly vulnerable to freezing in extremely cold we

wh ere ho les in yo ur h om es outside wall for television , cable or teleph on e lin es allow cold

reach them.

To keep water in pipes from freezing, take the following steps:

G Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow the heat transfer. Th

insulation, th e better.

G Seal cracks and h oles in o utside walls and foun dation s near water pipes with caulking.

G Keep cabinet doors open dur ing cold spel ls to a l low warm ai r to c i rcula te around

(particularly in th e kitchen and bathroom ).

G Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run thro

unheated or unprotected space. Or drain the water system, especially if your house

un attended during cold periods.

For m ore information about protecting your h om e from dam age in freezing weath er, check this sou

Institute for Business & Home Safety . Boston .Toll-free: 1-877-580-8885. Web site: ht tp ://ww w.ibh s.org.

Publications: Natural Hazard Mitigation INSIGHTS: Ice Dams

Natural Hazard Mitigation INSIGHTS: Freezing and Bursting Pipes


54/65

P r o t e c t i n g Y o u r H o m e . . . Against Hurricane Damage

Hurricanes are like no other storms on earth. From Maine to Texas, and in Hawaii, these fero

weather systems bring torrential rain, f looding, storm surges and devastating winds that d

h om es, destroy treasured keepsakes and disrupt family life.

You don t h ave to be blown away wh en n ature lets loose. Its never too early to prepare an d yo

take several basic steps righ t n ow to protect you r fam ily an d you r h om e from disaster.

Find out if your home meets current model building code requirements for high-wind region

example , t he S tanda rd Bu i ld ing Code , wh ich i s p romulga ted by the Sou the rn Bu i ld ing

Congress International, Inc.). Experts agree that structures built to meet or exceed current

building codes h igh-win d provision s have a mu ch better ch an ce of surviving violent w ind stor

If youre handy with a hammer and saw, you can do much of the work yourself. Work inv

your homes structure may require a building contractor, however, or even a registered d

profession al such as an arch itect or engin eer.

WHEN WORKING OUTSIDE

GReplace gravel/rock land scaping m aterial with shredded bark.

G Keep trees an d shru bbery trimm ed. Cut weak branch es an d trees th at could fall on you r h

WHEN BUILDING OR REMODELING

G Windows: If you are replacing your existing windows, install impact-resistant window swhich are more likely to stand up to wind-borne debris. As an alternative to new windo

tems, in stall imp act-resistan t shutt ers th at close over th e win dow op enin gs to prevent

debris from breakin g win dowp an es.

G Entry Doors: Make certain your do ors have at least th ree hin ges an d a dead bolt secuwith a b olt at least on e inch long. An cho r door frames securely to wall framin g.


55/65

Garage doors more than eight feet wide are most vulnerable. Install permanent wood

metal stiffeners. Or contact the door manufacturer s technical staff for recommendati

abou t t emp ora ry cen te r supp or t s t ha t you can a t t ach and r emove easi ly when se

weather th reatens.

G Roofs: If you are replacing your roof, take steps to ensure that both the new roof covean d th e sheath ing it attaches to will resist h igh wind s. Your roofing con tractor sh ould:

Remove old coverings down to th e bare wood sheathin g.

Remo ve enou gh sh eathin g to con firm t h at rafters an d trusses are securely

n ected to th e walls.

Replace dam aged sh eath ing.

Refasten existing sheathing according to the proper fastening schedule outl

in the current model building code for high-wind regions.

Install a roof covering th at is designed to resist h igh wind s. Also con sider u

a double-layer application of heavier felt roofing paper, secured with suffic

tin tabs, to avoid water damage.

If you wan t to give your roof sheath ing added p rotection, bu t its not t ime to reroof,

the sheathing to the rafters and trusses. Use an adhesive that conforms to Performa

Specification AFG-01 develop ed by APA Th e En gineered Wood Association , wh ich yo u c

find a t any hardware s tore or h om e improvemen t center.

G Gables: Make certain the end wall of a gable roof is braced properly to resist high wiCheck the current model building code for high-wind regions for appropriate guidance

consult a qu alified architect or engin eer.

G Connections: Th e points where the roof and th e foun dation m eet the walls of your hare extremely important if your house is to resist high winds and the pressures they pl

on th e entire structure.

Anchor the roof to the walls with metal clips and straps (most easily awh en you replace your roof).

Make certain the walls are properly anchored to the foundation. A regist

design professional can determine if these joints need retrofitting, and a quali

WHEN A HURRICANE THREATENS


56/65

WHEN A HURRICANE THREATENS

You can imp rove the od ds of your h om e survivin g high win ds by takin g these precaution s, b

w o n t m a k e i t h u r r i c a n e - p r o o f . N o r d o t h e s e m e a s u r e s g u a r a n t e e y o u r s a f e t y. Ta k eaddition al steps to p rotect yourself an d your fam ily as fully as possible:


Identify escape routes from your home and neighborhood and designate an emergency m

place for your family to reunite if you become separated. Also establish a contact p


GPut togeth er an em ergency kit that in cludes a th ree-day supply of drin king water and foodont have to refrigerate or cook; first aid supplies; a portable NOAA weather radio; a w


lanterns; fresh batteries for each piece of equipment; clothing; blankets; baby items; prescr

medications; extra car and house keys; extra eyeglasses; credit cards and cash; imp

documents, including insurance policies.

G Move anyth ing in you r yard that can becom e flyin g debris in side your h ouse or garage b

storm strikes.

G If a hurricane threatens, follow weather and news reports so you know how much

youre facing. O bey evacuation orders from local auth orities.

For more information about protecting your home and family from hurricanes, check this sour

Institute for Business & Home Safety . Boston .

Toll-free: 1-877-580-8885. Web site: ht tp ://ww w.ibh s.org.

Publications: Is Your Home Protected From Hurricane Disaster?A Homeowners Guide to Hurricane Retrofit.

Hold On To Your Roof. Tips for h olding you r roof sh eath ingin p lace with ad h esive.


57/65

P r o t e c t i n g Y o u r H o m e . . . Against Tornado Damage

Even if you live outside Torn ado Alley, th e area of th e coun try th at run s north from Texas th

eastern Nebraska and northeast to Indiana, you are still vulnerable to tornadoes. Kansas, Okl

and Texas may see more of these unpredictable and dangerous storms than other states, but thof the country also gets its share of twisters.

You don t h ave to be blown away wh en n ature lets loose. Its never too early to prepare an d yo

take several basic steps righ t n ow to protect you r fam ily an d you r h om e from disaster.

Structures built to meet or exceed current model building codes for high-wind regions have a

better chance of surviving violent windstorms. The Standard Building Code, promulgated b

Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc., is one source for guidance on fortifyinhome against f ierce winds. Although no home can withstand a direct hit from a severe to

good con struction will h elp your h om e survive if it 's to th e side of th e torn ados path .





G Replace gravel/rock land scaping m aterial with shredded bark.

G Keep trees an d shru bbery trimm ed. Cut weak branch es an d trees th at could fall on you r h


G Windows: If you are replacing you r existing w ind ows, install im pact-resistant wind ow swhich are more likely to stand up to wind-borne debris. These window systems are com

available in hurricane-prone areas. If you are unable to find them locally, you can orde

from manufacturers or home improvement stores in coastal areas.

G Entry Doors: Make certain your do ors have at least th ree hin ges an d a dead bolt secu

G Garage Doors: Because of their size an d con struction garage do ors are h igh ly susce


58/65

G Garage Doors: Because of their size an d con struction , garage do ors are h igh ly suscewind damage. A qualified inspector can determine if both the door and the track syste

resist h igh win ds an d, if necessary, replace th em with a stron ger system.

Garage doors more than eight feet wide are most vulnerable. Install permanent wood or

stiffeners. Or contact the door manufacturer s technical staff for recommendations

tempo rary center supports that you can attach an d remove easily when severe weather th re

G Roofs: If you are replacing your roof, take steps to en sure that b oth th e new roo f coverth e sheath ing it attach es to will resist h igh wind s. Your roo fin g cont ractor sh ould:

Remove old coverings down to th e bare wood sheathin g.

Remove enough sheathing to confirm that rafters and trusses are securely co

to th e walls.

Replace dam aged sh eath ing.

Refasten existing sheathing according to the proper fastening schedule outl

the current model building code for high-wind regions.

Install a roof covering that is designed to resist high winds. Also consider

double-layer application of heavier felt roofing paper, secured with suffic

tabs, to avoid water dam age.

If you wan t to give your roof sh eathin g added prot ection , but its not time to reroof, g

sheath ing to th e rafters and trusses. Use an adh esive that con form s to Perform ance Specif

AFG-01 developed by APA The Engineered Wood Association, which you can find

h ardware store or h om e improvemen t center.

G Gables: Brace the end wall of a gable roof properly to resist high winds. Check themodel building code for high-wind regions for appropriate guidance, or consult a qu

engineer or arch itect.

G Connections: Th e points where th e roof an d th e foun dation m eet the walls of your hextremely important if your home is to resist high winds and the pressures they place

ent ire structure.

Anchor the roof to the walls with metal clips and straps (most easily adde

you replace your roof).

WHEN A TORNADO THREATENS


59/65

WHEN A TORNADO THREATENS

You can imp rove the od ds of your h om e survivin g high win ds by takin g these precaution s, b

wont make it tornado-proof. Nor do these measures guarantee your safety. Take these addisteps to protect yourself and your family as fully as possible:

G Decide in advance where you will take shelter (a local community shelter, perhaps, o

own underground storm cellar or in-residence safe room). When a tornado approach

there immediately. If your home has no storm cellar or in-residence safe room and yo

no time to get to a community shelter, head to the centermost part of your basement or h

away from windows and preferably under something sturdy like a workbench or staircas

more walls between you and the outside, the better.

G Become familiar with your communitys severe weather warning system and make c

every adult and t eenager in your family knows what t o do wh en a torn ado watch or wa

sounds . Learn about your workplaces d isas ter safe ty p lans and s imi lar measures a

childrens schools or day care centers.

G Study your communitys disaster preparedness plans and create a family plan in case y

able to m ove to a comm un ity sh elter. Identify escape routes from your ho m e and neighboand designate an emergency meeting place for the family to reunite if you become sep

Also establish a con tact poin t to com m un icate with con cerned relatives.

G Put togeth er an em ergency kit that in cludes a th ree-day supply of drin king water and foo



lantern s; fresh b atteries for each piece of equ ipm en t; cloth ing; blankets; baby items; prescr



G Move anyth ing in you r yard that can becom e flyin g debris in side your h ouse or garage b

storm strikes. Do this only if authorit ies have announced a tornado watch, howe

authorities have announced a tornado warning, leave it all alone.

G Don t open your wind ows. You wo n t save th e ho use, as on ce thou ght, an d you m ay a

m ake thin gs worse by giving wind an d rain a chan ce to get inside.

G Dont t ry to r ide out a tornado in a manufactured home. Even manufactured home

tie-downs overturn in these storms because they have light frames and offer the wind a

surface area to push against In addition their exteriors are vulnerable to high win

For more information about protecting your family and ho m e from t ornadoes and oth er win ds


60/65

For more information about protecting your family and ho m e from t ornadoes and oth er win ds

such as hu rricanes an d n or easters, check th is source:

Institute for Business & Home Safety . Boston .Toll-free: 1-877-580-8885. Web site: ht tp ://ww w.ibh s.org.

Publications: Is Your Home Protected From Hurricane Disaster?A Homeo wn ers Guide to Hurrican e (windstorm ) Retrofit.

Hold On To Your Roof . Tips for h olding you r roof sh eath ingin p lace with ad h esive.

Y


61/65

P r o t e c t i n g Y o u r H o m e . . . Against Wildfire Damage

Few people realize that when they move out toward the edges of wilderness, they move in

domain of wildfires. Even though you may live in a thoroughly contemporary suburb, if yo

look away into open country, brush or deep woods, you are vulnerable during hot and dry seas

You don t h ave to lose your h om e an d p ossession s to n atures burn ing rage. Its never too e

prepare and you can take severa l bas ic s teps r ight now to protect your family and your

from disaster.





sure what youre doing complies with local building codes. Experts agree that structures b

m eet or exceed current m odel building codes have a m uch better chan ce of surviving a wildfire


G Make sure th e street n um ber of your h ouse is clearly visible and legible from th e road.

G Create a defensible space by removing all dry grass, brush, trees and dead leaves WITH

LEAST 100 FEET from you r h om e.

G Plant native, fire-resistive vegetation whenever possible.

G Space trees an d sh rubs at least 10 feet apart. Reduce th e n um ber of trees in h eavily wooded a

G For trees taller than 18 feet, prun e lower bran ches within six feet of th e groun d to keep g

fires from spreading int o t reetops.

G Remo ve all dead branch es overhan ging your roof and all bran ches within 1 0 feet of ch im

G Enclose the underside of balconies and aboveground decks with fire-resistive or no



62/65

G Cover attic and sub-floor vents with noncombustible screening with a mesh size no

than1

4-inch.G Your roo f is th e m ost vuln erable part o f your h om e because it can easily catch fire from

blown sparks. If you are building a new home or reroofing your existing house, use roof co

m aterial with a Class A fire-resistive ratin g.

G Limit the size and number of windows that face large areas of vegetation. The heat

wildfire can ignite the furnishings inside your home through these windows.

G Install tempered glass or m ultilayered glazed pan els in exterior win dows, glass doors anlights. Or, install solid, exterior shutters.

WHEN A WILDFIRE THREATENS

You can imp rove the od ds of your h om e surviving a wildfire by taking th ese precaution s, b

won t m ake it fireproof. Nor do th ese m easures guarantee you r safety. Take th ese additional st

protect yourself and your family as fully as possible:


Ident ify escape routes from your h om e and n eighborh ood an d designate an emergency m

place for the family to reunite if you become separated. Also establish a contact p


G Put togeth er an em ergency kit that in cludes a th ree-day supply of drin king water and foo


and other bas ic tools ; a f lashl ight ; work gloves; emergency cooking equipment ; polantern s; fresh b atteries for each piece of equ ipm en t; cloth ing; blankets; baby items; prescr



G If a wildfire threatens, follow n ews reports so you kn ow h ow m uch dan ger youre facing

evacuation orders from local auth orities.

For mo re in formation abou t protecting your family and h om e from w ildfires, check this source

National Fire Protection AssociationOn e Batterymarch Park

Q i MA 02269 9101

in g Y o


63/65

Natu ral catastroph es can strike with l i t t le or n o warn ing. So can m an -made d isasters. Y

improve the odds of your home surviving an earthquake or an accidental fire by taking certa

caution s, but yo u won t m ake it disaster-proof. To protect th e in vestm ent youve mad e in youras fully as possible, review your homeowners insurance policy periodically with your ins

agent or company. Make certain you have all of the necessary protection for the threats yo

An d ch eck th e dollar lim its to be sure you h ave enou gh coverage to rebuild your h om e and yo

should misfortune occur.

WHAT YOUR INSURANCE POLICY COVERS

Most ho m eown ers insuran ce policies cover dam age from th e followin g natu ral events:

G Freezing Weath er (leading to bursting p ipes and ice dam s)

G Hail

G Hurricanes

G Tornadoes

G Wildfires

Your p olicy does n ot cover eart

Documents

Checklist on Safety -Protecting Our Child From Disaster