When the ground shakes, the last thing you want is a bookcase or cabinet turning into a falling hazard. Earthquakes don’t just crack walls—they send heavy furniture toppling, books flying, and glass shattering. The good news? With a little prep, you can keep your shelves and cabinets from becoming dangerous projectiles.

The golden rule: anything tall and heavy gets anchored. Use L-brackets or heavy-duty straps to secure bookshelves and cabinets to the wall studs, not just the drywall. This keeps them upright when the shaking starts.

Load the heaviest items on the bottom shelves. Stacking weight high up makes furniture more likely to tip. Think of it as giving your bookcase a solid foundation.

Kitchen and bathroom cabinets can fly open mid-quake, dumping glassware everywhere. Install simple child-safety latches or earthquake-specific cabinet locks to keep doors shut.

Decor pieces, picture frames, or plants perched on top of bookshelves are basically waiting to fall. Either move them lower or use museum putty to keep them in place.

For open shelving, a small raised edge (a “lip”) can stop books and items from sliding off. You can DIY with a thin strip of wood or buy clear acrylic guards that blend in.

If your cabinet has glass doors, apply shatter-resistant film. It won’t stop the glass from breaking completely, but it’ll keep shards from spraying across the room.

Avoid placing tall shelves right next to beds or couches. If something does come loose, you don’t want it landing where you sleep or sit.

Earthquake-proofing furniture isn’t about making your home look like a bunker—it’s about smart adjustments that keep you safe. A few brackets, straps, and latches go a long way in turning your shelves and cabinets from hazards into secure fixtures. When the ground starts rumbling, you’ll be glad you took the time to lock it all down.