Recovering from Disaster
1) Health and Safety Guidelines- Recovering from a disaster is a gradual process. Safety is primary, as are mental and physical well-being. Knowing how to access assistance makes the process faster and less stressful. This section offers some general advice on steps to take after disaster strikes in order to begin getting your home, your community, and your life back to normal. You need to consider possible safety issues and monitor family health and well-being.
2) Aiding the Injured- Check for injuries. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger. If you must move an unconscious person, first stabilize the neck and back, then call for help immediately.
• If the victim is not breathing, carefully position the victim for artificial respiration, clear the airway, and commence mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
• Maintain body temperature with blankets. Be sure the victim does not become overheated.
• Never try to feed liquids to an unconscious person.
• See the section First Aid Primer from The Red Cross.
3) Health- Be aware of exhaustion. Don’t try to do too much at once. Pace yourself.
• Drink plenty of clean water and eat well.
• Wear sturdy work boots and gloves.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water often when working in debris.
4) Safety Issues- Be aware of safety issues created by the disaster.
• Watch for washed out roads, contaminated buildings, contaminated water, gas leaks, broken glass, damaged electrical wiring, and slippery floors.
• Inform local authorities about health and safety issues, including chemical spills, downed power lines, washed out roads, smoldering insulation, and dead animals.
5) Returning Home- Can be both physically and mentally challenging. Above all, use caution.
• Keep a battery-powered or crank radio with you so you can listen for emergency updates.
• Use a battery-powered flashlight to inspect a damaged home.
• Watch out for animals, especially poisonous snakes. Use a stick to poke through debris.
• Use the phone only to report life-threatening emergencies.
• Stay off the streets. If you must go out, watch for fallen objects, downed electrical wires, and weakened walls, bridges, roads, and sidewalks.
6) Before You Enter Your Home- Walk carefully around the outside and check for loose power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage. If you have any doubts about safety, have your residence inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before entering.
Do not enter if: You smell gas, floodwaters remain around the home, or if your home was damaged by fire and the authorities have not declared it safe.
7) Going Inside Your Home- When you go inside your home, enter carefully and check for damage. Be aware of loose boards and slippery floors. Check the following items:
a) Natural Gas: If you smell gas or hear a hissing or blowing sound, open a window and leave immediately. Turn off the main gas valve from the outside, if you can. Call the gas company. If you shut off the gas supply at the main valve, you will need a professional to turn it back on. Do not smoke or use oil, gas lanterns, candles, or torches for lighting inside a damaged home until you are sure there is no leaking gas or other flammable materials present.
b) Sparks, broken or frayed wires: Check the electrical system unless you are wet or standing in water. If possible, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker.
c) Roof, foundation, & chimney cracks: If it looks like the building may collapse, leave!
d) Appliances: If appliances are wet, turn off electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. Then, unplug appliances and let them dry out. Have appliances checked by a professional before using them again. Also, have the electrical system checked by an electrician.
e) Water and sewage systems: If pipes are damaged, turn off the main water valve. Check with authorities before using any water; it could be contaminated. Pump out wells and have the water tested by before drinking. Do not flush toilets until you know that sewage lines are intact.
f) Food and other supplies: Throw out all food and other supplies that you suspect may have become contaminated or had come in to contact with floodwater.
g) Your basement: If your basement has flooded, pump it out gradually to avoid damage. The walls may collapse and the floor may buckle if the basement is pumped out while the surrounding ground is still waterlogged.
h) Open cabinets: Be alert for objects that may fall.
i) Clean up household chemical spills: Disinfect items that may have been contaminated by raw sewage, bacteria, or chemicals. Also clean salvageable items.
j) Call your insurance agent: Take pictures of damage. Keep good records of repair costs.