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Factors Related to Furniture Anchoring: A Method for Reducing Harm During Earthquakes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 April 2013

Tomoko Haraoka ,
Shinya Hayasaka ,
Chiyoe Murata ,
Taiji Yamaoka  and
Toshiyuki Ojima
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Abstract

Objective

Fatalities and injuries during an earthquake can be reduced by taking preemptive measures before-hand, and furniture anchoring is an important safety measure for all residents. This study sought to clarify the factors associated with furniture anchoring within the home.

Methods

A self-administered mail survey was completed from July to August 2010 by 3500 men and women between the ages of 20 and 69 years who were chosen at random from an official government resident registry of 2 cities in Japan.

Results

Of the 1729 valid responses, 37.1% reported furniture anchoring. An association with furniture anchoring was observed for having viewed earthquake intensity maps or damage predictions (odds ratio [OR] 1.92, 95% C1 1.54-2.39), expressing concern about a future earthquake (OR 2.07, 95% C1 1.36-3.15), feelings of urgency (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.47-2.45), accuracy of the government disaster preparedness information (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.17-2.42), knowledge of the meaning of emergency earthquake warnings (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.12-2.48), and participation in voluntary disaster preparedness activities (OR 1.40, 95% C1 1.12-1.75).

Conclusions

Furniture anchoring was found to be associated with risk awareness, risk perception, disaster preparedness information provided by government to residents, knowledge of earthquakes, participation in voluntary disaster preparedness activities, nonwooden structures, and marital status. An increase in furniture anchoring is important and can be achieved through education and training in daily life. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;7:55-64)

Keywords

earthquakesfurniture anchoringrisk awarenessrisk perceptiongovernment disaster preparedness information
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 7 , Issue 1 , February 2013 , pp. 55 - 64
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2013

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