Emergency tips: what to do when disaster strikes

Fire & Smoke Damage

The following are guidelines for different circumstances in the period during a fire:

What to do During a Fire

If your clothes catch on fire, you should:

• Stop, drop, and roll - until the fire is extinguished. Running only makes the fire burn faster.

To escape a fire, you should:

• Check closed doors for heat before you open them. If you are escaping through a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel the top of the door, the doorknob, and the crack between the door and door frame before you open it. Never use the palm of your hand or fingers to test for heat - burning those areas could impair your ability to escape a fire (i.e., ladders and crawling).

• Crawl low under any smoke to your exit - heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling.
  
  
• Close doors behind you as you escape to delay the spread of the fire.
  
  
• Stay out once you are safely out. Do not reenter. Call 9-1-1.

What to do After a Fire

The following are guidelines for different circumstances in the period following a fire:

• If you are with burn victims, or are a burn victim yourself, call 9-1-1; cool and cover burns to reduce chance of further injury or infection.
  
  
• If you detect heat or smoke when entering a damaged building, evacuate immediately.
  
  
• If you are a tenant, contact the landlord.
  
  
• If you have a safe or strong box, do not try to open it. It can hold intense heat for several hours. If the door is opened before the box has cooled, the contents could burst into flames.
  
  
• If you must leave your home because a building inspector says the building is unsafe, ask someone you trust to watch the property during your absence.

Do..

• Clean and protect chrome trim and faucets and other brightwork by washing with detergent and applying a coating of vaseline or oil.
• Blow off or brush-vacuum loose smoke particles from upholstery, draperies and carpeting.
• Open windows for ventilation if weather permits.
• Empty refrigerators and freezers if electricity is off, and prop doors open with a rolled towel or newspaper to allow air circulation.
• Pour antifreeze in toilet bowels, tanks, sink and tub drains to prevent freeze damage if heat is off in winter.
• Call a plumber to drain and blow out all water lines if heat is off in winter.
• Remove pets to a clean environment if heavy fire residues are present.
• Send a sample group of garmets for cleaning an deodorization in order to observe the results.
• Retain a contractor to board up open windows, roofs, or other penetrations in order to prevent additional damage.

Do Not..

• Wipe or attempt to wash fire residues from walls, ceilings or other absorbent surfaces.
• Use carpeting or upholstered furniture impacted by heavy smoke residues or debris.
• Use food items or canned goods exposed to heat.
• Turn on computers, TVs, stereos or electrical appliances until they have been cleaned and checked.

Floods & Water Damage

During a Flood

If a flood is likely in your area, you should:

• Listen to the radio or television for information.
• Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
• Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain.

If you must prepare to evacuate, you should do the following:

• Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor.
• Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.

If you have to leave your home, remember these evacuation tips:

• Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
• Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.

After a Flood

The following are guidelines for the period following a flood:

• Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink.
  
  
• Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
  
  
• Avoid moving water.
  
  
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
  
  
• Stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power company.
  
  
• Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
  
  
• Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
  
  
• Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.
  
  
• Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards.
  
  
• Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.

Driving Flood Facts

The following are important points to remember when driving in flood conditions:

• Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.
• A foot of water will float many vehicles.
• Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) and pick-ups.

Do..

• Ventilate wet areas. Turn on air conditioning for accelerated drying in summer; in winter alternate cycles of opened windows and heating.
• Remove standing water from flat surfaces by sponging and blotting.
• Take up saturated rugs and carpets when hardwood floors are at risk.
• Stay out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.
• Transport computers to a dry environment, remove cases and blow dry with low pressure air.
• Remove lamps, telephones and decorative items from wet furniture tops.
• Open drawers and cabinet doors for interior drying, but do not force open stuck drawers or doors.
• Freeze valuable books and documents to retard mildew growth until drying can be performed.
• Place aluminum foil squares, china saucers or wood blocks under furniture legs to avoid carpet staining.

Do Not..

• Operate TVs, vacuums or other appliances while standing on wet carpet or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors. Serious injury may result.
• Use heat to dry closed building interiors; mildew and expanded moisture damage may result.
• Leave wet fabrics in place; space them apart and dry as soon as possible.

Sewage & Flood Damage

Raw sewage and flood waters contain bacteria and other micro organisms which are extremely hazardous to human health. These can be transmitted by touching contaminated items or by tracking them into uncontaminated areas on shoes. Children and pets are especially vulnerable. Frequent handwashing is an importand preventive measure. Absorbent materials such as carpeting and drywall may not be restorable after direct contact with sewage-contaminated or flood-contaminated water.

Do..

• Treat all water-impacted surfaces and furnishings as toxic, until properly decontamintated.
• Keep children and pets out of contaminated areas.

Do Not..

• Track contaminated material into undamaged areas.
• Attempt to decontaminate surfaces with sprays and other over-the-counter germicidal products, which may not fully disinfect contaminated surfaces.

Furnace Damage

While soot may resemble smoke residues from a fire, the restoration of soot damage often requires different techniques. Incorrect action can make restoration more difficult and delay the return to normal.

Do..

• Change and save the old furnace filter.
• Blow off or brush-vaccum loose soot particles from upholstery, draperies and carpets.
• Cover upholstery with clean sheets before use.

Do Not..

• Attempt to wash walls, ceilings or contents without professional assistance.

Returning Back to Your Home

Returning home can be both physically and mentally challenging. Above all, use caution.

General Tips

Check for injuries. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of death or further injury. If you must move an unconscious person, first stabilize the neck and back, then call for help immediately.

• Keep a battery-powered radio with you so you can listen for emergency updates and news reports.
  
  
• Use a battery-powered flash light to inspect a damaged home.
  Note: The flashlight should be turned on outside before entering - the battery may produce a spark that could ignite leaking gas, if present.
  
  
• Watch out for animals, especially poisonous snakes. Use a stick to poke through debris.
  
  
• Be wary of wildlife and other animals
  
  
• Use the phone only to report life-threatening emergencies.
  
  
• Stay off the streets. If you must go out, watch for fallen objects; downed electrical wires; and weakened walls, bridges, roads, and sidewalks.

Before You Enter Your Home

Walk carefully around the outside and check for loose power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage. If you have any doubts about safety, have your residence inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before entering.

Do not enter if:

• You smell gas.
• Floodwaters remain around the building.
• Your home was damaged by fire and the authorities have not declared it safe.

Going Inside Your Home

When you go inside your home, there are certain things you should and should not do. Enter the home carefully and check for damage. Be aware of loose boards and slippery floors. The following items are other things to check inside your home:

• Natural gas. If you smell gas or hear a hissing or blowing sound, open a window and leave immediately. Turn off the main gas valve from the outside, if you can. Call the gas company from a neighbor’s residence. If you shut off the gas supply at the main valve, you will need a professional to turn it back on. Do not smoke or use oil, gas lanterns, candles, or torches for lighting inside a damaged home until you are sure there is no leaking gas or other flammable materials present.
  
  
• Sparks, broken or frayed wires. Check the electrical system unless you are wet, standing in water, or unsure of your safety. If possible, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If the situation is unsafe, leave the building and call for help. Do not turn on the lights until you are sure they’re safe to use. You may want to have an electrician inspect your wiring.
  
  
• Roof, foundation, and chimney cracks. If it looks like the building may collapse, leave immediately.
  
  
• Appliances. If appliances are wet, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. Then, unplug appliances and let them dry out. Have appliances checked by a professional before using them again. Also, have the electrical system checked by an electrician before turning the power back on.
  
  
• Water and sewage systems. If pipes are damaged, turn off the main water valve. Check with local authorities before using any water; the water could be contaminated. Pump out wells and have the water tested by authorities before drinking. Do not flush toilets until you know that sewage lines are intact.
  
  
• Food and other supplies. Throw out all food and other supplies that you suspect may have become contaminated or come in to contact with floodwater. Your basement. If your basement has flooded, pump it out gradually (about one third of the water per day) to avoid damage. The walls may collapse and the floor may buckle if the basement is pumped out while the surrounding ground is still waterlogged.
  
  
• Open cabinets. Be alert for objects that may fall.
  
  
• Clean up household chemical spills. Disinfect items that may have been contaminated by raw sewage, bacteria, or chemicals. Also clean salvageable items.
  
  
• Call your insurance agent. Take pictures of damages. Keep good records of repair and cleaning costs.