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Tampa - As home and business owners begin cleaning up from Hurricane Jeanne, the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has information to help begin the recovery process, work with insurers and minimize the potential damage with tips for proper cleanup.
Before entering damaged areas:
- Make sure the building is structurally safe to enter or reoccupy.
- Turn off electrical power. Do not use electricity until it is safe to do so.
- Ensure that natural gas sources are safely secured.
- Secure the exterior to prevent further water intrusion. This can include boarding up broken windows, making temporary roof repairs, sealing cracks or tacking down plastic sheeting against open gaps in walls or roofs.
When it’s safe to begin cleanup:
- Disconnect all electronics/electrical equipment and move it to a safe, dry location.
- Remove as much standing water as possible from inside the building.
- Begin to remove water-damaged materials immediately.
- Ventilate the home as best you can with fans and/or dehumidifiers.
- Contact a water extraction company, if necessary, for assistance.
By taking immediate action, you will reduce the amount of damage and increase the chance of salvaging usable materials. You’ll also reduce the amount of rust, rot, mold and mildew that may develop, and lower the likelihood that the water will lead to structural problems.
More information can be found in the Water Damage Recovery Guide, a resource on the IBHS web site with detailed cleanup instructions.
For help beginning the claims process:
IBHS has tools to help home and business owners work toward recovery through the insurance claims process. In the Publications section of the site, look up the two guides listed under Recovery, You Can Go Home Again and Getting Back to Business.
Free single copies can also be obtained by calling toll free 1 (866) 657-IBHS (4247).
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