subject: A quick response to water and fire incidents can minimise the damage [print this page] A quick response to water and fire incidents can minimise the damage
It's everyone's worst nightmare an accident with your water supply, your tank collapsing through the floor from the attic a fire. And in each case, a quick, organised response will allow you to respond rapidly and minimize damage.
Fire strikes without warning and in recent years the floods experienced the world over have been more severe than expected, so it's been hard to prepare for flooding. If you live in a flood prone region you should follow the advice of your local council.
In many ways, planning for the worse is incredibly difficult, so we've got a couple of tips to share with you on how to make sure you're prepared for the worst.
Five ways to ensure you can handle flood or fire damage
1. Turn off all water, gas, electricity if you can't ensure that any emergency services have done so. It's especially important when water is involved to make sure that you've switched it off or blocked it off.
2. Ensure you've got adequate insurance - It's important to update your insurance every time you buy or sell anything expensive. Once you're covered for the right amount, you should always ensure that you can find your papers. Even if that means storing them with a neighbour or in your garage or shed in a secure box.
3. Get a wall safe - Wall safes are another way to protect any important documentation and will give you a chance to access policy details rapidly.
4. Contact your insurers straight away - Most insurers have a 24 hour helpline and will know the best people to use in any combination of incidents. Flood and fire damage cleaners are specialists that make sure the work is done, both superficial and deep cleaning and drying.
5. Hire a firm to help you - if your insurance company has a list of emergency contacts for drying out and deep cleaning after an incident. Once your house is cleaned of soot damage and/or dried, then you can start the process of redecorating.
Once you've contacted your insurers, if you can, start removing your belongings to storage. In most cases your insurance company will, again have recommended firms or may arrange it for you. Most storage places have links to cleaner recommendations and will offer emergency rates.
While it's difficult to recover from a fire or flood, with the right support, and the right team of cleaners, your house can be put back to normal. Once they do, you can get on with your life, and be safe in the knowledge that the structure of your house hasn't been overtly damaged. Using professionals can guarantee, with the above steps that your home is protected from fire and flood damage, and if an accident strikes, you're prepared to deal with it.
