Before entering a flooded home, take pictures and video the area. If you have no backup camera, you should consider calling your insurance representative to get details. If you suspect that there is damage to your home, contact the flood restoration company or plumbing services and wait for them to come repair it. You don’t want to risk electrical shock and drown in the water. If you’re swept into a river or stream, call 911 and stay in a dry area until the water recedes.

Once you’ve returned to your home, check your home for structural damage. If you see any cracks in the floor, you should take precautions to avoid further harm. If your home has been flooded, it is likely that there’s sewage and debris around. Wear a respirator and a face mask, and don’t go through any flooded area. When you can, thoroughly wash the affected area and dispose of any contaminated food.

Dealing with the aftermath of a flood isn’t easy. You’ll need courage and patience to sort through your possessions. You may need to rent additional equipment to help you get out of your house. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to help yourself and your family survive. In case of flooding, here are some tips to stay safe and avoid harm during and after the disaster.

Open windows. If possible, turn on the central heating system. Slowly remove water from your home. Be sure to document the damage. You may want to keep some items for personal use, but dispose of others to prevent water from spreading further. Also, be sure to contact your insurance company, so they can assess the extent of their coverage and provide you with any necessary documentation. In addition to filing claims, you should contact your utility companies to report any outages.

In order to save money and minimize your home’s damage, remove all wet items immediately. Doing so will allow the structure of your home to dry more quickly. Additionally, you may find that the water is already starting to grow mold. If you have any valuable keepsakes, remove them immediately. Afterward, you can gently air dry them. Remember that water contains heavy materials, which makes them easy to move. If you can, boil the water until local authorities inspect it.

After a flood, you should clean up the debris. If you can’t get out of your house, you can leave it in the streets and evacuate to a safer location. If you have a well, make sure it’s pumped out and that it’s not leaking. After a flood, you should check your home’s structure to determine any damage. If the water is rising, you can check the foundation.