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<br />AFTER THE FLOOD <br /> <br />=} If your home, apartment or business has suffered flood damage, immediately call the <br />agent or broker who handles your flood insurance policy. The agent will then submit a loss <br />form to the National Flood Insurance Program. An adjuster will be assigned to inspect your <br />property as soon as possible. <br />=} Prior to entering a building, check for structural damage. Make sure it is not in danger of <br />collapsing. Turn off any outside gas lines at the meter or tank, and let the house air for <br />several minutes to remove foul odors or escaping gas. <br /> <br />=} Upon entering the building, do not use open flame as a source of light since gas may still be <br />trapped inside; a battery-operated flashlight is ideal. <br /> <br />=} Watch for electrical shorts or live wires before making certain that the main power switch <br />is turned off. Do not turn on any lights or appliances until an electrician has checked the <br />system for short circuits. <br /> <br />=} Cover broken windows and holes in the roof or walls to prevent further weather damage. <br /> <br />=} Proceed with immediate cleanup measures to prevent any health hazards. Perishable items <br />which pose a health problem should be listed and photographed before discarding. Throw <br />out fresh food and previously opened medicines that have come in contact with flood waters. <br /> <br />=} Water for drinking and food preparation should be boiled vigorously for ten minutes <br />(until the public water system has been declared safe.) Another method of disinfecting is to <br />mix 1/2 teaspoon of liquid commercial bleach with 2-1/2 gallons of water. . . let stand for <br />five minutes before using. The flat taste can be removed by pouring the water from one <br />container to another or adding a pinch of salt. In an emergency, water may be obtained by <br />draining a hot water tank or melting ice cubes. <br /> <br />=} Refrigerators, sofas, and other hard goods should be hosed off and kept for the adjuster's <br />inspection. A good deodorizer when cleaning major kitchen appliances is to add one <br />teaspoon of baking soda to a quart of water. Any partially damaged items should be dried <br />and aired; the adjuster will make recommendations as to their repair or disposal. Take <br />pictures of the damage done to your building and contents. <br /> <br />=} Take all wooden furniture outdoors, but keep it out of direct sunlight to prevent warping, <br />A garage or carport is a god place for drying. Remove drawers and other moving parts as <br />soon as possible, but do not pry open swollen drawers from the front. Instead, remove the <br />backing and push the drawers out. <br /> <br />Shovel out mud while it is still moist to give walls and floors a chance to dry. Once <br />plastered walls have dried, brush off loose dirt, Wash with a mild soap solution and rinse <br />with clean water; always start at the bottom and work up. Ceilings are done last. Special <br /> <br />16 <br />