TAMPA, Fla. — You survived the storm. Now you're home, and your home is flooded. What should you do? Whether it's six inches of water or three feet, safety should be your first concern.
- Don't drive through standing or flowing water. When you do get home:
- Cut off utilities like gas, water and electricity before entering...don't just assume they are off.
- Don't use flame like candles, matches, or lighters in case there is gas trapped in the building.
- Rubber boots, gloves, and clothes are essential for keeping you healthy while you work in your wet home.
- Use eye protection and an N95 mask if you're cleaning mold or other debris.
- Throw out items that can't be washed and cleaned with a bleach solution: mattresses, pillows, carpeting, carpet padding, and stuffed toys. There could be human, animal, or medical waste, or chemicals or other contaminants.
Be careful of the water. There may be sewage or chemicals in it.
- Don't drink it, brush your teeth with it, or cook with it.
- Pay attention to "boil water" warnings.
- Better yet, only use clean, bottled waters.
Document damage with photos and video.
- Take plenty of photos and video of everything: possessions, floors, walls, ceilings, appliances, everything.
- Contact your insurance company or companies to start your claim immediately.
Clean and disinfect
- Clean everything out thoroughly and let it dry as mush as possible.
- Once it's dry, you need to kill the bacteria. A bleach solution of half a cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water applied with a pump spray can also help kill mold and bacteria.
- Bleach is corrosive - avoid spraying electrical outlets and metal items.
Ventilate and dry
- Once everything is cleared and cleaned, use fans to dry your home.
- Keep the windows and doors open as much as possible, too.
- It can take between two and four weeks for your home to completely dry.
Be on the lookout for scammers
Unfortunately, after disasters, scammers look to make a quick buck. Check out these tips to help avoid falling victim to the bad guys.
