Home Emergency Tips: Part 4

What to do until help arrives. 

It's time for our last Home Emergency Tips entry. The way you respond after a home emergency can make a huge impact on the scale of the damage. Follow these tips to minimize water damage as much as possible in your home.

Water Damage

Do:

• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.


• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and table top items.


• Remove and prop wet upholstery and pillow cushions for even drying.


• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.


• Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.


• Remove Oriental rugs or other colored rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpeting.


• Remove valuable paintings and art objects to a safe, dry place.


• Open and place luggage in sunlight to dry, if possible.


• Gather loose items, toys, etc. from floors.

Don’t:

• Leave wet fabrics in place; dry as soon as possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.


• Leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors.


• Use your household vacuum to remove water.


• Use TVs or other household appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.


• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

Home Emergency Tips: Part 3

Helpful tips on what to do until help arrives.

Today we post Part 3 of Home Emergency Tips. Here at SERVPRO we clean and restore fire and water damage, but our desire is that you never need to call us. June is Home Safety Month, so stay tuned to tips to keep your home the safest home it can be.

Harmful Waste (Sewage, Bloodborne Pathogens, Etc.) 

Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.


• Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life threatening.


• Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.


• Turn off the HVAC system if there is sewage damage.

Don't:

• Attempt cleanup of any kind.


• Touch or handle items that might be contaminated with bodily fluids.


• Eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics or handle contact lenses in affected areas.

*If exposed to harmful waste, OSHA recommends a post-exposure medical evaluation. Consult your local health department or physician.

Home Emergency Tips: Part 2

Helpful tips on what to do until help arrives. 

It's time for Part 2 of our 4-part Home Emergency Tips. June is Home Safety Month and we want to equip you to minimize home injuries with brief tips that go a long way. Stay tuned for more tips!

Vandalism Damage

Do:

• Hose or wash egg damage from building exterior as soon as possible.


• Blot freshly spilled food from carpets and fabrics with a dampened cloth or sponge (but don't overwet). Scrape and blot; don't rub since it can damage fibers.


• Vacuum glass particles from carpets and upholstery.


• Save containers that reveal the composition of spilled inks, cosmetics and paints.

Don't:

• Attempt to remove ink, paint or cosmetic stains.


• Operate damaged lamps or appliances.


• Discard wood chips, broken pieces from furniture, porcelain or other art objects.

Home Emergency Tips: Part 1

Helpful tips on what to do until help arrives

June is kicking off the SERVPRO West Columbia blog with Home Safety Month. According to the Citizen Corp website, "Some 20 million medical visits were required for treatment of home injuries last year." Simple steps can go a long way to minimize risk, so tune in for our 4-part Home Emergency Tips.

Fire and Smoke Damage

Do:

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being imbedded into upholstery and carpets.


• Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.


• Blow or brush vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes and carpets.


• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.


• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator completely and prop doors open.


• Clean and protect chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances with light coating of Vaseline or oil.


• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.


• Change HVAC filter.


• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

Don't:

• Attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting your SERVPRO Professional.


• Attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting your SERVPRO Professional.


• Attempt to clean any electrical appliances, TV sets, radios, etc. that may have been close to fire, heat or water without first consulting an authorized repair service.


• Use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat or water (they may have been contaminated).


• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. Wiring may be wet or damaged.


• Send garments to ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.