When you are standing in the middle of flooded basement or outside with the charred remains of a garage staring back at you, what do you do first?
- If it is a true emergency, call 911 right away!
- Call your utility companies. Many people don’t think about this, but it’s important to let your water company, natural gas company, electric company, and other utilities be aware of the situation. Natural gas needs to be shut off. Electric may be compromised and need to be shut off further down the line. The water main may need to be shut off.
- If possible, find your family’s most important documents: birth certificates, social security cards, wills, and passports. It’s always a good idea to keep these documents in a waterproof/fireproof safe.
- Call Valley Restoration and Construction immediately. We can secure your home against vandalism. We also can prevent further damage from occurring. If your home has a flood, the sooner we get in to dry it out and make flood cuts, the less long-term damage you’ll experience. In the event of a fire, prompt action could lessen the effects of smoke or soot damage.
- In case of a fire or major flood, don’t go back into your home until you get the approval from emergency services. After it’s safe, go back in to retrieve as many personal belongings and documents as possible. Let law enforcement know when you have vacated the house so they can guard against theft or vandalism. VRC can also provide emergency board-up services to help secure your property.
- Call your insurance agent right away. A good agent will be your guide through the aftermath of a fire, flood, or other emergency situation.
7. If you are a renter, call your landlord or property management company and let him or her know what is going on. Remember, your landlord’s insurance policy does not cover any of your possessions, so make sure you take out a separate renter’s policy (normally just a few dollars a month added to your car insurance).Keeping these tips in mind when disaster strikes can help make a terrible experience just a little smoother for everyone involved.