MOUNT FRAMED PICTURES AND MIRRORS SECURELY
Protecting Your Property from Earthquakes
FEMA
April 2008


During an earthquake, framed pictures and mirrors that are not 
securely attached to walls can easily fall. Large pictures and 
mirrors can cause injuries when they fall, and the broken glass that 
often results increases the potential for injury.  

As shown in the figure, one way to mount framed pictures and mirrors 
securely is to use long-shanked, open eye-hooks instead of 
traditional picture hangers. The eye-hooks must be long enough to 
penetrate the wall stud as well as the drywall or plaster. Eye-hooks 
used in this way are much less likely to pull out of the wall than 
picture hooks installed with nails that penetrate only the drywall 
or plaster. Also, an alternative to running wire across the back of 
the picture or mirror is to use closed eye-hooks securely screwed 
into the back of the frame. 


BENEFITS OF UTILIZING THIS MITIGATION STRATEGY

* Helps to prevent injuries to occupants

* Helps to prevent damage to the pictures or mirrors

TIPS 

Keep these points in mind when you hang framed pictures or mirrors: 

* The number of eye-hooks you need for a picture or mirror will 
depend on its size and weight. Large pictures and mirrors will be 
more stable when mounted on two hooks rather than one. 

* Make sure that eye-hooks penetrate not just the wall but the studs 
behind it as well. Eye-hooks embedded only in drywall or plaster are 
likely to pull out. To be embedded deeply enough, eye-hooks should 
be at least 1 to 2 inches long. 

* Regardless of whether you use picture wire or closed eye-hooks on 
the back of the picture or mirror, make sure the hooks, screws, or 
other types of mounting hardware are securely attached to the frame.

* If possible, don't hang large pictures or mirrors in places where 
they are more likely to fall on someone, such as over beds, chairs, 
or couches.

ESTIMATED COST

The cost of mounting a picture or mirror with eye-hooks will depend 
on its size and weight. In general, for a large picture or mirror 
that requires two eye-hooks, the cost would be approximately $5. 
This amount covers only the hardware you will have to buy, not any 
tools you use or the value of your time. If you hire a contractor or 
handyman to do the work, you will have to pay for time as well as 
materials.

OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION

FEMA 74, Reducing the Risks of Nonstructural Earthquake Damage: A 
Practical Guide, Third Edition, September 1994, 
http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=1574. 

FEMA 232, Homebuilders’ Guide to Earthquake-Resistant Design and 
Construction, June 2006, 
http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=2103.

To obtain copies of FEMA documents, call the FEMA Publications 
Warehouse at 1-800-480-2520 or visit FEMA’s Library online at 
http//:www.fema.gov/library.