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Old 04-05-2010, 01:25 PM
 
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I always tell people the best place to stand during an earthquake is right under a chandelier. The strongest part of the ceiling in a room is the center hence why a chandelier is positioned in the center as well!
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Old 04-05-2010, 01:29 PM
 
Location: Coachella Valley, California
15,639 posts, read 41,032,900 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dub D View Post
I always tell people the best place to stand during an earthquake is right under a chandelier. The strongest part of the ceiling in a room is the center hence why a chandelier is positioned in the center as well!

Actually, I have three chandeliers and they were all swinging wildly (and I wasn't even swinging from them! ) During the quake, toward the end while the floor was still rolling, I went to steady each of them because it was freaking me out, like they might come loose from the ceiling.
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Old 04-05-2010, 01:31 PM
 
Location: SW MO
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Originally Posted by loveautumn View Post
Yesterday, I just got up and ran out the door!
Of course, there's always the alternative. Bend over backwards, grab your ankles and if worse comes to worse, kiss your patootie goodbye!
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Old 04-05-2010, 02:17 PM
 
Location: San Diego, CA
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Originally Posted by loveautumn View Post
Yes, I've heard of that Triangle of Life. Also, the 90 degree angle theory. If you lay on the floor right up close next to your bed, most things that fall will hit the bed first and not you, cover yourself with a quilt or comforter to protect from any glass. Course if the floor collapses, this theory doesn't work.

Yesterday, I just got up and ran out the door!
I too have heard of this recently. It's no longer what our or my parents taught us growing up. Not all tables are sturdy either. The "Triangle" is now supposedly the best survival. Picture behing a couch or on the floor next to your bed as others have said. If the ceiling pieces fall or other objects it will create a "triangle". I would say if there is no blanket near by, to still "duck and cover". duck in a fetal position with your stomache & head to the floor with your hands covering your neck. We are pretty lucky here to have the buildings built the way we do.
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Old 04-05-2010, 06:46 PM
 
Location: Pacific Beach in San Diego, California
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Originally Posted by justsomeguy View Post
Ok what do you do if you are in a studio apartment on the 3rd floor so you don't really have any doorways and are on the 3rd floor?? I grabbed a pillow and lied down next to my couch. Is that my best bet??
You gotta have a doorway somewhere in a studio apartment and if you don't you live in a hermetically sealed canister or a jail cell. Where do you live, Donovan State Prison?
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Old 04-05-2010, 06:51 PM
 
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Originally Posted by MAK802 View Post
I'm from the East coast, so this is all new to me. I'm sure there are some rules as to what to do when it comes to earthquakes. This wasn't particularly huge, but what if it was? I assume standing in the kitchen with a huge knife is probably not one of those things. I was cutting up a pineapple when it happened and had it been a stronger one, it would probably not have ended well! And given how the building shook, I'm positive a stronger earthquake would cause the structure to collapse. So are you supposed to go outside? Stand in the doorway? Something else?
This is what FEMA says:
FEMA: What to Do During an Earthquake
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Old 04-05-2010, 11:09 PM
 
Location: San Diego, CA
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Originally Posted by lrmsd View Post
Ha FEMA!!!
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Old 04-06-2010, 08:36 AM
 
84 posts, read 440,691 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dub D View Post
I always tell people the best place to stand during an earthquake is right under a chandelier. The strongest part of the ceiling in a room is the center hence why a chandelier is positioned in the center as well!
I have to question this bit of advice. The center of the ceiling is the part of the ceiling under the most stress since it is the part farthest away from support (ie the walls), so it would be the first to break as long as the walls are standing. Also, chandeliers are placed in the middle of the ceiling because that's where they aesthetically look the best and distribute light the most evenly.

Not to mention that the thing is likely to come crashing down on your head.
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Old 04-06-2010, 09:03 AM
 
Location: So Ca
26,726 posts, read 26,798,919 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrie2979 View Post
It's no longer what our or my parents taught us growing up. The "Triangle" is now supposedly the best survival.
Yeek, no. It's been disproven. Did you read Twinkle Toes' post? Also see:
Triangle of Life - Earthquake Safety and You!
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Old 04-06-2010, 09:05 AM
 
Location: San Diego, CA
426 posts, read 791,578 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mongoosedn View Post
I have to question this bit of advice. The center of the ceiling is the part of the ceiling under the most stress since it is the part farthest away from support (ie the walls), so it would be the first to break as long as the walls are standing. Also, chandeliers are placed in the middle of the ceiling because that's where they aesthetically look the best and distribute light the most evenly.

Not to mention that the thing is likely to come crashing down on your head.
I most definitely agree with mongossedn here. A lot of ceiling fans in the northridge quake fell down. And some chandeliers are heavier than ceiling fans.
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