PRESS RELEASE 6.28.2024

SAFETY STEPS WHEN YOU RETURN HOME

• Keep children and pets away from hazardous sites and floodwater. If you have children, leave them with a relative or friend while you conduct your first inspection of your home after the disaster. The site may be unsafe for children, and seeing the damage firsthand may upset them even more and cause long-term effects, including nightmares.

• Check the outside of your home before you enter. Look for foundation cracks, missing support beams or other damage. Damage on the outside can indicate a serious problem inside. Ask a building inspector or contractor to check the structure before you enter.

• Do not cut or walk past colored tape that was placed over doors or windows to mark damaged areas unless you have been told that it is safe to do so.

• Beware of snakes, insects and other animals that may be in or around your home.

• Take pictures of home damage, both of the buildings and its contents, for insurance purposes.

• If the door is jammed, don’t force it open – it may be providing support to the rest of your home. Find another way to get inside.

• Wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots, and be cautious when cleaning up.

• Throw out items that absorb water and cannot be cleaned or disinfected. This includes mattresses, carpeting, cosmetics, stuffed animals and baby toys.

• Throw out all food, beverages and medicine exposed to flood waters and mud. When in doubt, throw it out. This includes canned goods, plastic utensils, baby bottle nipples and containers with food or liquid that has been sealed shut.

• Be careful when moving furnishings or debris, because they may be waterlogged and heavier.

• Is your ceiling sagging? That means it got wet – which makes it heavy and dangerous.

• Is the floor sagging? It could collapse under your weight, so don’t walk there!

• Do not throw chemical out (paint, insecticides etc.) contact the city for appropriate drop off spots.