Is Your Cabinet Hardware Earthquake Proof?

Whether you want to upgrade your cabinet hardware for safety or style reasons we can help.

The fact that California is prone to earthquakes isn’t exactly breaking news. But what may surprise you is that the US Geological Survey is now virtually certain that we will be hit with a strong earthquake sometime in the next 30 years.

In a report released earlier this year, the USGS said that based on new data and analytical techniques, their models now predict that our risk of a strong earthquake of around magnitude 6.7 (similar to the 1994 Northridge quake) in the next 30 years is 99 percent. They predict a 93 percent chance of a magnitude 7 quake, a 48 percent chance of a magnitude 7.5, and just a 7 percent chance of a mega-quake of magnitude 8 or greater.

One Simple Upgrade to Prevent Damage and Injuries

Of course, an earthquake does not need to be nearly this powerful in order to damage your home or cause injury.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, most damages and injuries that occur during earthquakes are caused by falling objects. And what better place for items to fall from than your kitchen cabinets? Just imagine the damage that could be caused by falling glassware and china—not only will your dishes be ruined, someone could be seriously injured by the sharp shards left behind when these items shatter.

Fortunately, there is one very simple way to prevent this: upgrade your cabinet hardware to keep doors and drawers secure in the event of an earthquake. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety has identified this as one of the best easy upgrades a homeowner can make to help earthquake-proof their property.

Here’s some more good news: you don’t necessarily have to change your hardware completely in order to make it safer. You can easily purchase and install additional hardware that will hide inside the cabinet or drawer, providing peace of mind without any visible impact on your kitchen design.

Other Reasons to Update Your Cabinet Hardware

Of course, now that you’re thinking about your cabinet hardware, you may very well realize it’s time for a change for purely aesthetic reasons. Maybe your current hardware is a bit worse for the wear with scratches or chips in it. Maybe it is dated, or maybe you simply don’t like the style anymore.

In any case, you can find the exciting new kitchen cabinet hardware you crave by visiting Mission West Kitchen and Bath. We have an excellent selection of designer cabinet hardware in a wide array of materials, colors, finishes, and styles. Come browse our showroom soon.