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.