You Want to be Prepared for anything
Accidents and disasters happen without warning, so it is best to be prepared for the unexpected. Water leaks, floods, and fires may come without warning leaving you stressed and wondering what to do next. It is important to plan for the unexpected, especially concerning your most valuable assets, your home and your family.
Disaster
No matter where you live, disaster may strike. And with the cold, harsh Pittsburgh winter ahead, planning for disaster has never been more important. Storms can produce high winds, lightning, hail, snow, and ice, all which can cause devastation to your home.
Common types of disasters include:
- Leaks
- Floods
- Fires
- Power outage
Preparation for the Unexpected
It is important to be prepared in the event of an emergency. Just like cities have emergency disaster plans, so should your home. It is important to go over these plans with your family periodically as well to make sure that everyone stays safe. If you have pets, it is also important to include plans for your pet if you need to temporarily relocate or evacuate your home.
Leaks
Leaks can happen from frozen pipes during extremely cold temperatures which are common in the Pittsburgh area.
To prevent leaks:
- Insulate pipes before cold weather
- Direct a space heater at the pipes if they become frozen
If a leak occurs:
- Be safe, don’t enter the area if the ground is wet
- Call a plumbing professional to fix the leak as soon as possible
If damage has occurred:
- Contact a restoration specialist to restore your home
- Waterproof to prevent mold and mildew
Floods
Flooding is one of the most common types of disaster that happens in the United States. There are several ways that homes can flood. Two ways are in the form of a natural occurrence such as melting snow and rain. But it can also happen from a burst pipe or sewer backup.
To prepare for a flood:
- Have a plan for evacuating the premises if it is safe to do so
- Create a designated meeting place
- Pay attention to flood watches and warnings
- Disconnect electrical appliances before a flood occurs, while the warning is in effect
- Make an emergency kit with food, water, batteries, flashlights and first aid
If a flood occurs:
- Do not go into the flooded area. There may be an electrical current present.
- Evacuate to your designated area
If damage occurs after a flood:
- Don’t go back into the area until it is safe
- Contact a restoration company to assess and restore any damage
Fire
To prepare for a fire:
- Test your smoke detector monthly
- Make sure you have a working fire extinguisher
- Have a plan for evacuating the premises if it is safe to do so
- Create a designated meeting place
- Make an emergency kit with food, water, batteries, flashlights and first aid
If a fire occurs:
- Evacuate as soon as you seen smoke and/or if your smoke alarm is going off
- Be safe. Cover your mouth from breathing in smoke.
- Call 911
- Do not try to save valuables. Leave your home as soon as it is possible.
If there is damage after a fire:
- Contact a restoration company to assess and restore any damage
- Contact your insurance company
Power Outage
To prepare for a power outage:
- Make an emergency kit with food, water, batteries, flashlights, blankets and first aid
- Have candles, matches, and flashlights handy and easy to find in the dark
If a power outage occurs:
- If you have a power outage of two hours or more, throw away refrigerated food if the temperature is less than 40⁰ F. Use a food thermometer to check the temperature.
- If food in the freezer still has ice crystals it is safe to refreeze and eat
- Turn off light switches and unplug electrical appliances
Additional Disasters
Depending on the area in which you live you may have other natural disasters to prepare for such as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, or even drought. Any of these natural disasters can also cause or associated with flooding, fires, leaks or power outages.
Disaster Recovery and Restoration
Dealing with the aftermath of a disaster can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety, no matter how big or small. Knowing what measures to take after devastation can help you get your home and life back in order. This will allow you to take the focus off of your loss and focus on rebuilding.
Having a professional restoration service come out to help restore and repair the damage caused by a disaster can help you get back your life in a timely manner.
Service Master offers a range of services for any type of disaster. Call us today and let us help restore your home and your life.