Post-Hurricane Safety Tips For Homeowners
If the hurricane evacuations in your area are going to be lifted soon and you plan to go start the storm damage cleanup process on your property, then follow each of these safety tips to ensure your safety.
Safety Tip: Consider Skipping the Self-Clean-Up Project
A home with serious water damage from a major storm is best cleaned up by storm damage restoration professionals. While it is natural for you to want to go survey the damage and to feel compelled to dive in and get things dried out, this is always a job better left to the professionals.
Whether you plan to help with the cleanup or not, the first thing you should do post-storm is to call your homeowner's insurance carrier and get them to start working on sending out a water damage restoration service.
Safety Tip: Dress in Protective Gear
Even if the weather is now warm and sunny, it is vital you dress properly for visiting a flooded property. You need to wear long sleeves, thick denim jeans, and work-style boots at a minimum. You also should consider wearing gloves, goggles, and respiratory protection if appropriate.
Safety Tip: Use Safe Practices If You Must Drive in a Disaster Area
It is always best if you can avoid driving after a major storm. Staying off the roads ensures your safety and keeps the roads accessible for repair crews and emergency personnel. However, if you must drive, make sure you never enter standing water, and take care to proactively avoid:
- Downed power lines
- Broken tree limbs
- Unstable trees
- Unstable structures
Additionally, when you get out of the car, make sure you are very mindful since there may be rodents, snakes, and animals loose in the area who were also displaced by the storm.
Safety Tip: Avoid Open Flames After a Hurricane
Both when on the road and when on your own property, you should avoid open flames after a storm. A single spark from a cigarette, candle, or barbeque could cause an explosion from a nearby leaking gas line or damaged holding tank.
Safety Tip: Monitor a Local Emergency Radio Station While Starting Your Clean-Up Process
Finally, while you are on site waiting for the storm damage restoration professionals to arrive, make sure you monitor your local emergency radio station and heed all warnings issued.
Often, flash floods and smaller storms show up after the major storm has finished, which can be very dangerous if you are caught unprepared in a disaster area. Keeping an emergency radio playing in the area allows you to know what's going on around you and get out of the area if it becomes necessary.
