Back in ancient times (50's), there were cabinet latches that had a handle & pushbutton on them. The handle was like an ordinary pull vertical D style but you had to push the button with your thumb in order to unlatch the door. These latches would prevent the door from swinging open in an earthquake & keep the contents inside instead of on the floor. I have searched high & low & all over the internet to no avail. Does anyone know where such things can be purchased?
Did I ask this question already? Getting hit on the head by stuff falling out of cabinets during earthquaks tends to fuluerberate ones mnd ?, mind? er, somethin lke thet.

You could do what we do in our motorhome, go to the hardware store (or even some large grocery stores/drug stores) and buy some of those childproof safety latches to install inside of cabinet doors and drawers. Kind of a pain to have to reach inside to release the catch, but they will stay closed (well, they will open an inch or so) if the stuff inside takes a tumble...

Look at a place that deals with boats i.e. West Marine. The cabinet doors and drawers in boats need to be secured when moving, especially when sailing.

Fuluerberate? I wondered what the medical term was for getting one's mind scrambled by objects falling out of a cabinet during an earthquake.

That's the word for it after it has gone through a brain that has been damaged by it. The problem with brain injury is the part of the body that you use to evaluate & treat the injury is the part that is not functioning normally.

I think they were called 'thumb latches', but if you ask for those these days, clerks will probably show you big entry door handle/latches.

What might be suitable are wing latches like this one. The prices are reasonable:
http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/4,6915.htm

Sue

Sorry to bring this post to the top, but I tried to edit my old post, but with the new forums program I cant. I got a recent catalog from Lee Valley that has the push knobs with latches and catches for less than West Marine. Here are the links. Latch and Catch