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<br />'~1 <br />s ~~f p <br />-----:;f'..--- <br />6'-1 Give Your Home First Aid <br /> <br />8 <br /> <br />home, it may cover some of the <br />cost of moving your contents to <br />a safe place. (Read your policy <br />and ask your agent what expens- <br />es are covered by your policy.) <br />Get fresh air moving <br />through your home. Open <br />windows and doors if weather <br />permits. This will reduce the <br />moisture and get rid of any gas <br />in the house. Don't try to force <br />open a swollen window. Instead <br />of breaking the glass, try remov- <br />ing the molding and taking the <br />window sash out of its frame. <br />Patch holes. Cover holes in <br />the roof, walls, or windows with <br />boards, tarps, or plastic sheet- <br />ing. You can nail down plastic <br />sheets or trash bags with strips <br />of wood or you can secure them <br />with duct tape. If the holes are <br />large, you may need to support <br />the plastic in the center to keep <br />it from ripping from the weight <br />of rain. The results won't look <br />pretty, but you need to do this <br />so rain won't cause any more <br />water damage. <br />Repair sagging floors or <br />roof sections. Use 4 x 4s or <br />other heavy lumber to brace <br />weak areas. If you're uncertain <br />how to shore up floor or ceiling <br />joists, call a contractor. <br />Remove debris. Clear out <br />any tree limbs or other trash that <br />may have found its way into the <br />house. <br />Check for broken or leak- <br />ing water pipes. If you find any, <br />cut off the water supply by turn- <br />ing off the valve at your water <br />meter. If you can't find it, call <br />the water company for help. <br />Also check floor drains-they <br />may be clogged with debris. <br /> <br />If the water pipes are not <br />leaking, you can use your tap <br />water for hosing and cleaning. <br />But, do not drtnk, clean dishes, <br />wash clothes, or cook with tap <br />water until it has been declared <br />safe. (If you are not on a munici- <br />pal water system, the local <br />health department will usually <br />inspect your well and test your <br />water. See Step 5.) <br /> <br />Dr.ln Your a.semen' <br />(.relully <br />If your basement is flooded, <br />don't be in too big a hurry to <br />pump it out. Here's why. <br />Water in the ground outside <br />your house is pushing hard <br />against the outside of your base- <br />ment walls. But the water inside <br />your basement is pushing right <br />back. <br /> <br /> <br />o <br />'0 ' <br /> <br />0, <br /> <br />';"'0 <br /> <br />0, <br />