Flood Recovery: Safeguarding Your Home and Belongings
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers the following guidelines for safeguarding your home and belongings after a flood:
• Move quickly to remove water from your home. The longer water sits in your home, the more damage it will cause.
• Remove wet carpets, rugs, and upholstery. These items can harbor mold and mildew and should be thrown away.
• Remove wet drywall, paneling, and insulation. These materials will also harbor mold and mildew and should be removed.
• Clean and disinfect all surfaces that have come into contact with floodwater. This includes countertops, floors, walls, and cabinets.
• If your appliances have been flooded, do not turn them on. Have them professionally cleaned and serviced before using them again.
• If your home has been flooded, it is important to have the electrical system inspected by a qualified electrician before turning it back on.
• Be sure to have your septic system inspected and serviced before using it again.
• If your home has been flooded, it is important to have the structure inspected by a qualified contractor before making any repairs.
• Be sure to document all damage to your home and belongings for insurance purposes.
For more information on flood recovery, visit the FEMA website at www.fema.gov.
Sources:
www.fema.gov
www.redcross.org
www.ready.gov