Safety tips for Navigation interior damage after a disaster
Climate change has brought on a host of disasters that have left many having to navigate unexpected loss in recent years. Fire,🔥 hurricanes, tornados🌪 and unprecedented floods🌊 have left many wondering what to do after a storm or incident.
Safety is a primary issue, as are mental and physical well-being.
Your first concern after a disaster is your family’s safety and health. The first thing to do when the initial chaos is over, is to check each person in your house hold for injury. Unless the injured person is in danger of additional injury, do NOT move them.
If your home🏡 has been damaged by the storm, be cautious getting outside. If you smell gas, open a window and get out of the building as soon as possible. Watch for broken glass, downed power lines, slippery floors, holes in floors, etc.
Once outside, turn off the main gas valve from the outside, if you can.
Call the gas company from a neighbor’s residence or outside if you have a cell phone.
Do not use your cell phone📱 inside a damaged building.
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. Before reentering a damaged home or building, inspect the outside.
Use a battery-powered flash light🔦 to inspect a damaged home.
Turn the flashlight ON OUTSIDE BEFORE entering—the battery may produce a spark that could ignite leaking gas, if present.
Use a stick to poke through debris. Watch for snakes.
Before you enter your home walk carefully around the outside and check for loose power lines, gas leaks and structural damage such as chimney, roof and foundation.
If you have any doubts about safety, have your residence inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before entering.
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 .You may want to have an electrician inspect your wiring.
Do NOT turn on the lights💡 until you are sure they’re safe to use. If you’ve had water damage and 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 since they may have shorted out. Also, have the electrical system checked by an electrician before turning the power back on.
You may also find my Flood Renovation Tips helpful. After personally being affected by the Nashville Flood of 2010, I wrote about my design renovation experience.