What NOT to Do When Disaster Strikes

When fires or floods affect your property, the first few hours are of vital importance. How you react can make the difference between a fast, affordable, and complete recovery or weeks and months of trying to get back on your feet.

Of course, knowing what NOT to do is just as important as knowing what to do. Here are some guidelines for what NOT to do after disaster strikes:

• If the damage is severe, don’t re-enter your home until you know that it’s safe to do so.
• Do not begin the cleanup process until you have done your research. If there was a fire or flood, it may be tempting to immediately try to scrub the walls or dry the floors. However, there’s an art to appropriate recovery—improper cleaning techniques can make the damage worse and increase the costs of restoration.
• Don’t wade into floodwaters. If the floodwater comes from outside, there may be a dangerous current. If it comes from a plumbing leak inside your home, it may still contain contaminants that can make you sick.
• Do NOT use electrical appliances in your home, even if they aren’t in a flooded or burned area. Your electrical system may have been damaged, and there may be a serious electrical risk.
• Don’t eat food or drink water that came into contact with fire, smoke, or floodwaters. Food and drinks that were directly impacted by the disaster should be thrown out, even if they look all right.
• Most importantly: Don’t panic. A home flood or fire doesn’t have to be the end of the world. Give the property damage recovery experts a call, and you’ll get your home—and your life—back to normal in no time.

Keep your family and your home safe

Remembering these suggestions will help ensure that your family stays safe and that the recovery process is as brief as possible. Always remember: After a disaster, once you’ve made sure your family is safe the absolute best thing you can do is to call your West Virginia disaster cleanup specialists! They’ll guide you through the entire process, making the process as stress-free as possible!