P2693 Disaster Recovery: Guide for Homeowners
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Disaster recovery: Guide for Homeowners Disaster recovery: Guide for Homeowners The Mississippi State University Extension Service provides research-based information to help you make informed decisions. We hope that you will find the disaster recovery resources included here useful for getting back to normal and keeping safe after a regional disaster or a personal tragedy, such as fire or wind damage to your home. contents The MSU Extension Service publications compiled here are also available online at msucares.com/disaster along with additional articles and resources. The last page of this guide lists additional websites where you can find booklets and other materials on mold cleanup or financial topics from other organizations. For more infor- mation, contact your local MSU Extension Service county office. Contents Section 1: General Safety and Recovery Issues • Returning Home After a Disaster ...................................................................................................................................4 • Electrical Systems and Appliances – Damaged Wiring and Switches ......................................................................6 • Safety Rules and Recovery Procedures After a Natural Disaster ..............................................................................8 • Emergency Food and Water...........................................................................................................................................10 • Preparing Food During a Power Failure .....................................................................................................................12 • So What Is an E. coli Infection? .....................................................................................................................................16 • Preventing Tetanus..........................................................................................................................................................18 • How to Care for Minor and Major Open Wounds.....................................................................................................20 • Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illness .....................................................................................................................22 • Flooded Private Sewage Systems..................................................................................................................................24 • Tree Removal and Timber Recovery Issues.................................................................................................................26 Section 2: Home Cleanup and Renovation • Priorities for Cleanup and Repair ................................................................................................................................29 • Home Cleanup and Renovation for Floors .................................................................................................................31 • Home Cleanup and Renovation for Walls...................................................................................................................33 • Controlling Mold Growth When Cleaning Flooded and/or Rain-Wetted Homes...............................................35 • Salvaging Household Furniture....................................................................................................................................37 • Cleaning Flood-Damaged Carpets and Rugs .............................................................................................................39 • Salvaging Clothing..........................................................................................................................................................41 • Drying Books and Family Papers .................................................................................................................................43 • Cleaning Household Utensils and Metals ...................................................................................................................45 Section 3: Consumer and Financial Issues • Avoiding Frauds and Deception ...................................................................................................................................48 • Seven Steps in Making an Insurance Claim................................................................................................................50 • Managing on a Suddenly Reduced Income ................................................................................................................52 • Take Control of Your Finances: When Your Income Drops ......................................................................................54 • When Your Income Drops..............................................................................................................................................56 Section 4: Family Stress Management • Common Responses to Disasters or Traumatic Events .............................................................................................61 • Dealing with Stress After a Disaster.............................................................................................................................63 • Managing a Traumatic Event ........................................................................................................................................65 • How Family and Neighbors Can Help One Another Cope .....................................................................................67 • Recognizing Your Own Anger.......................................................................................................................................69 • Signs of Distress in Children .........................................................................................................................................71 • Children Need Help Coping with Disaster.................................................................................................................73 Additional Resource Information......................................................................................................................75 section section 1 Section 1: General Safety and Recovery Issues • Returning Home After a Disaster ...................................................................................................................................4 • Electrical Systems and Appliances – Damaged Wiring and Switches ......................................................................6 • Safety Rules and Recovery Procedures After a Natural Disaster ..............................................................................8 • Emergency Food and Water...........................................................................................................................................10 • Preparing Food During a Power Failure .....................................................................................................................12 • So What Is an E. coli Infection? .....................................................................................................................................16 • Preventing Tetanus..........................................................................................................................................................18 • How to Care for Minor and Major Open Wounds.....................................................................................................20 • Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illness .....................................................................................................................22 • Flooded Private Sewage Systems..................................................................................................................................24 • Tree Removal and Timber Recovery Issues.................................................................................................................26 Disaster Relief Returning Home after a Disaster Returning home after a major disaster can be danger- neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any rea- ous and difficult. Be careful when entering a disaster son, you must have a professional turn it back on. area, and be ready to adapt to whatever conditions • Check electricity. If you see sparks or broken or you find. frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker, Use this information as a guide. and call an electrician for advice. • Keep a battery-operated radio with you to hear any • Check sewage and water lines. If you suspect dam- emergency updates. aged sewage lines, avoid using the toilets and • Before you enter your house, check it, the roof, and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the the chimney for structural damage. water company and avoid using water from • If you have any doubts about safety, have your the tap. You can get safe water by melting ice cubes. home inspected by a professional before entering. • Check electrical appliances. If the wiring in your • Be careful when entering a damaged building. house is wet, turn off the main power switch in the • Put on sturdy shoes and work gloves for protection house. Unplug the appliance, dry it out, then recon- against glass or other debris. nect it and turn the main power switch back on. If • Stay away from fallen or damaged electrical wires. fuses or circuits blow when the power is restored, They could still be alive. turn