Whether it’s your HVAC system, plumbing problems, or even wild weather, a household disaster can strike at any time. You can try all that’s possible to prevent this, but sometimes, the issue has been bubbling under the surface for far too long, and it’s just a matter of time before your stunning home looks like a rhino charged through it.
And, after all your hard work, you might feel overwhelmed. This is understandable, and you have a reason to feel frustrated and powerless. Yet, you cannot wallow in your angst for too long. If you want to get your home back to its stunning best, you need to act quickly. So, here are six things to do when a household disaster strikes.
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Secure the Property
Just because the disaster seems to have passed doesn’t mean your home is safe yet. Securing your home by putting wooden boards over a broken window or switching off the electricity to stop it from seeping into the electrical systems will help keep the rest of your house safe and secure.
It’s tempting to panic after disaster strikes, but staying calm is vital. If you spend too much time panicking, you risk missing the big picture, which means other issues could arise and put your home – and everyone else – in even more danger.
Arrange Somewhere to Stay
Ideally, the issue is not so severe that you need to get out of the house as quickly as possible. But, some instances, such as a failed heater, smashed front door or flooded bottom floor can all make the home impossible to live in for now.
Get in touch with friends and family to see if they can put you up for the night. Otherwise, you may be able to find a hotel. It’s also worth taking any valuables with you, but don’t spend too long deciding what to bring, as time is of the essence.
Getting out of the house gives you the chance to remove yourself from the situation and clear your head so you can think of the best way to approach this disaster.
Activate Back-Up Systems
If you can’t get out of the house (or don’t need to), you still need to get in touch with friends and family or entertain yourselves, but you can’t do this if the power is out. Many families have invested in a portable generator to overcome disasters. At the very least, this allows you to keep your devices charged and maybe keep the house lit, as you can connect lamps to the generator so you’re not sitting in the dark.
It’s often a good idea to stay in the house when you can, as this will reduce the risk of burglars returning to finish the job, or it allows you to keep a close eye on any items you wouldn’t be able to bring with you.
Contact the Police
If your home has experienced disaster after a break-in, don’t wait around to contact the police. Although they may not be able to catch the culprit tonight (or even at all), they can still take an incident report and provide a crime number reference.
This will be crucial when it comes to claiming your insurance or even speaking with your landlord if you rent your property. Furthermore, the police presence can offer peace of mind, especially if you have kids who may be scared and uncertain about the immediate future.
Check Your Insurance
Although things may seem bleak (or at the very least inconvenient) following a disaster, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully, you’ll have had the foresight to get homeowners insurance, so it’s worth checking your policy coverage to see what you can claim.
Some policies are more comprehensive than others, while some only cover violent break-ins as opposed to opportunistic acts. Still, it’s better to know what you can claim to ease the stress of the possibly substantial repair job.
Call The Household Disaster Professionals
While you might want to overcome this household disaster all by yourself, which is admirable, but not always wise. Sometimes, the household damage can be too dangerous to attempt to fix, especially with water, electricity, gas, or structural problems.
Instead, professional services, such as water damage restoration, can get your home back to its best (and safest) to help you sleep easy and feel comfortable in your home knowing that the disaster has passed.
Overcoming Disaster
Encountering household disasters are never pleasant, and hopefully, you never experience something too substantial. From small problems to large-scale property damage, these tips can help you maintain your interior and overcome any disaster that strikes your home, ensuring you keep your family safe and comfortable.
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