Your ‘Emergency Tips Guide’ for when the unexpected happens!

Know what to do when the unexpected happens!

When disaster strikes, your first step is to call your Broker or Insurance Company.  Here are some great tips to help prevent further damage to your property.

Water Damage

What to do:

• Damage from water and bacteria growth can begin within hours. Call ServiceMaster Restore for professional help and guidance.
• Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings not permanently attached. Do NOT attempt to start removing your wall-to-wall carpet.
• Lift draperies off the floor, loop through a coat hanger and lace he hanger on the drapery rod.
• Wipe furniture, prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying and place aluminum foil under furniture legs.
• Move photos, paintings and art objects to a safe, dry location.
• Keep books on shelves.  Pack them tightly to prevent warping of pages until a restoration professional can begin this specialized drying.
• Open drawers, closets and cabinet doors to enhance drying.

What not to do:

• Do not enter a room with standing water until electricity has been turned off.
• Do no use a regular household vacuum to remove water.
• Do not lift tacked-down carpet without professional help.
• Do not use electrical appliances while on wet carpet or flooring.
• Do not disturb visible mold.
• Do not remove books from shelves.

Fire and Smoke Damage

What to do:

• Corrosive by-products can cause irreversible etching in as few as 72 hours. Call for professional help.
• If the temperature is above 60 degrees, air out the house to reduce smoke odor.
• Clean laminate surfaces as well as chrome, porcelain and aluminum fixture to prevent permanent tarnishing or etching.
• Change the air filter on your furnace if it uses forced air.
• Discard any open food packages.
• If the electricity is off, clean out the refrigerator and leave the doors propped open.
• Send clothing with heavy smoke damage to a qualified restoration dry cleaner.

What not to do:

• Do not touch anything with your bare hands.  Oil from your hands can permeate upholstery, walls and woodwork, causing additional damage.
• Do not wash walls. Incorrect cleaning could compound the soot residue.
• Do not attempt to clean carpets or upholstered furniture.
• Do not use electrical appliances until having them checked.
• Do not use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet.

When disaster strikes, every minute that goes by can make the problem worse. Don’t delay!

ServiceMaster Restore is available 24/7/365!  Contact them here to learn more.

Thank you to our friends at ServiceMaster Restore for providing these helpful Emergency Tips!

Your Costen Insurance Team