Daily Life Lessons · Disaster Preparedness
Understand the danger of furniture falling over or moving in an earthquake, rethink how your furniture is arranged, and be able to secure it with devices suited to your home (in rental housing, after checking with your landlord or management company).
In a large earthquake, furniture can fall over, things can drop, and furniture can move, causing injuries. Fallen furniture can also block your escape route.
First, keep as little furniture in the room as possible, and arrange it so that tall furniture cannot fall onto places where you sleep or sit. Do not put furniture in places that serve as escape routes, such as doorways and hallways. Store heavy things in low places.
For securing furniture, L-shaped brackets (L型金具) screwed into the wall are considered the most effective. If you cannot use screws, combining a pole-type device that stands between the furniture and the ceiling with a stopper-type or adhesive-mat-type device placed under the furniture makes it more effective. If you live in rental housing, first check with your landlord or management company whether you may make holes in the wall.
大きな 地震（じしん）で、家具（かぐ）が 倒（たお）れて、けがを する ことが あります。逃げる 道が ふさがる ことも あります。
置き方（おきかた）： - 家具を 少なく します。 - 寝る 所、座る 所に 高い 家具が 倒れて こないように します。 - 出入り口（でいりぐち）や 廊下（ろうか）に 置きません。 - 重い ものは 低い 所に 入れます。
とめ方： - L型（エルがた）金具（かなぐ）で 壁に ネジで とめるのが いちばん よいです。 - ネジが 使えない ときは、ポール式と ストッパー式（または 粘着（ねんちゃく）マット）を いっしょに 使います。 - 借りて いる 家は、先に 大家さんや 管理会社（かんりがいしゃ）に 聞きます。
Which method of securing furniture is considered the most effective?
L-shaped brackets and other devices fixed with screws are considered the most effective.
Where should you avoid putting tall furniture?
It is dangerous if it falls on you while you sleep. Arrange furniture so it cannot fall onto places where you sleep or sit.
In rental housing, what should you do before making screw holes in the wall?
Whether you may make holes depends on the contract and the building, so check first.
If you cannot use screws, how can you make securing more effective?
Combining two devices is more effective than using just one.
Where should you store heavy things?
Putting heavy things in low places makes it less likely that they fall or that the furniture tips over.
Q. Should I secure the refrigerator and TV too?
A. Yes. Large appliances can also fall over or move in an earthquake. Follow each instruction manual for how to secure them.
Q. I am worried about the glass in my cupboard.
A. You can use devices that keep the doors from opening, or film that keeps glass from scattering even if it breaks. It also helps to keep slippers or shoes near where you sleep so you do not get hurt by broken things.
Q. It is difficult for me to secure furniture myself.
A. Some municipalities have programs that help older people, people with disabilities, and others secure their furniture. Who is eligible and what is offered differ by municipality, so contact your city, ward, town, or village.
This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.
Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-10-03
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original