It adds insult to injury that we're in a weather pattern that may bring severe winter storms and Nor'Easters our way this year! Wasn't Sandy's destruction enough?
We have been very busy helping our clients extract the Long Island Sound out of their homes after Sandy's visit, and even cleaned out public buildings throughout Westchester County. These tips noted below would have been more help a week ago, at least for those who had their power on fairly quickly.
Sandy was an immense storm that was actually unprecedented in our area -- when she arrived in late October. Remember last year's freak snow storm just before Halloween that dumped two feet of snow in some areas of the lower HUD? Well, Sandy's intense winds, as a Category 1 coming into South Jersey, could be rivaled by a Nor'Easter or two coming our way in the next two months.
Here are some safety tips for Post Sandy cleanup that most of us began a week ago...once the power came back on!
|
Safety
- Stay away from flood water in and around your home and dirty, standing water that has been in your basement for days.
- Use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns to examine any premises left vacant during the storm. Do not attempt to turn the lights on until you are sure it is safe to do so (stay in contact with your utility company.)
- Sniff for gas leaks. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows and evacuate. If you have any concerns, have the gas system checked by a professional.
- Do not touch wires or outlets; Check for frayed cords and for cracked or broken prongs and plugs
- Turn off the main electrical circuit switch. Be careful to stand on a dry surface and do not touch the metal handle of the switch box. Use a piece of heavy rubber, plastic or a piece of dry wood to open the metal door and throw the switch. Share your concerns with a licensed electrician.
- If your home has been flooded, check for animals that may have entered the property.
- If your car has been submerged, let it dry out thoroughly before trying to start it.
Cleaning Up
- Before you start cleaning up debris, prepare an inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property. If you can, videotape or photograph the damage.
- Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
- Clean up any flammable or poisonous materials that may have been spilled.
- Pump water gradually from flooded basements to avoid structural damage.
- Shovel out mud while it is still moist.
- Clean out heating and plumbing systems.
- Throw out any food or medicine that has come in contact with flood waters.
Restoration Process
- Contact your independent or professional insurance company contacts about an approval for reimbursement.
- Save remnants of damaged or destroyed property and flooring for your insurance company adjuster
- Be sure to contact your insurance company about cleaning up quickly to prevent further loss and damage, especially if you use a restoration company like ours. In catastrophic storms like Sandy, it could take some time before an adjuster comes out to meet you. Check your insurance policy for information about how to restore, or preserve your property.
- Keep a written record of everyone you talk to about your insurance claim, including the date of the conversation and a summary of what was said.
- Keep all receipts.
- Your pre-disaster home inventory will be of great assistance to you at this point. After you've examined everything and determined the extent of damage, call your insurance agent or adjuster, to discuss your options.
- Use only certified and trained contractors, especially in drying out and preserving your structure. Mold growth can be a concern, if a property is not dried effectively by a professional.
BRONXVILLE, NY
View Larger Map
|
Comments (3)Subscribe to CommentsComment