DO'S AND DON'TS AT HOME WITH THE RISK OF MUDSLIDES

 DO'S AND DON'TS AT HOME WITH THE RISK OF MUDSLIDES 

If you are living in California, you may be at risk of experiencing unwanted disasters such as fire damage, water damage or even smoke damage. This is due to the fact that the state is prone to wildfires which have caused severe damage in forests thereby wiping out grasslands and more importantly the trees. Trees help in absorbing rainwater and help prevent mudslides in nearby communities. With that said, the risk of mudslides is high in these areas and one must be fully aware of how to deal with them to prevent disaster recovery. Here are some of the important Do’s and Don’ts:

Do get advice. If you are still looking for a location for your home, do get advice from a qualified geologist to determine whether the location you are interested in could have a risk of mudslides or other hazardous disasters. Potentially unstable areas specifically within the vicinity should be taken into consideration prior to building your home.

Do leave a safe space. You must build your home at a considerable distance from the top or bottom of the slopes. If there are areas that have too small space to allow safe setbacks, avoid building on them as much as possible.

Do keep plants. Planting vegetation around your home or on the slopes would help absorb water from rain or other sources. Trees are one of the strongest absorbers of water so make sure to plant them around your house. They make a good shade too.

Don’t change the natural drainage. If you have a need for modifications in your house, you must avoid any modification that will disrupt the natural drainage. You may consult a qualified geologist when needed.

Don’t dump on a slope. Whenever you need to dump any debris or landfill material during your construction activities, always make sure not to dump these materials on a steep slope. They may accumulate over time and could create large slides in the long run.

Don’t put drain fields on a bluff. Septic systems and drain fields are essential to any home thus making them important. However, it would be wise to place them away from the edge of a bluff. This is because there will be a chance of creating a slope failure due to excess water.

Mudslides are disasters that could be extremely fatal and most of the time go out without any warnings. It would be best to prevent making modifications to your home that could induce them. To know more about disaster recovery and prevention, please head on to www.msbdrs.com.

The Do’s and Don’ts After Property Fire Damage

The Do’s and Don’ts After Property Fire Damage

What you do in the immediate aftermath of a fire can determine how quickly you recover. It can also determine how smoothly your dealings with your insurance company will be. If you are visiting your fire-damaged property in the immediate aftermath of a fire, here are some fire damage dos and don’t you should keep in mind.

Do:

1. Check with the fire authorities about when it’s safe to return to your property.

2. Watch out for flare-ups. Until ash is safely cleared, fires might restart long after the initial blaze is put out.

3. Wear a NIOSH-Approved N95 mask while inspecting a fire-damaged property. Breathing unfiltered air in the immediate aftermath of a fire risks damaging your lungs.

4. Wear sturdy boots and walk carefully while inspecting the fire-damaged property. An area that is covered in water and ash is a slipping hazard.

5. Document property damage with photographs.

6. Conduct an inventory of what valuable items on the property were damaged or destroyed.

7. Check the property for hot spots, sparks, or embers.

8. If you smell gas, leave the property, turn the supply off via the outside valve, and contact your utility provider.

9. Dispose of food or medications that were affected by the fire. They may have been affected by chemicals that make them dangerous to consume.

10. Ask your insurance provider or reconstruction specialist about steps to secure the damaged property. You may need to cover broken windows and doors. You also will probably need to safely pump out water.

Don’ts

1. Don’t begin cleaning the property to dispose of damaged items until you contact your insurance company. Think about safety first, then focus on documenting the damage. The more information you collect about the damage, the better.

2. Don’t turn on electricity until cleared to do so by an electrician.

3. Don’t switch on a flashlight inside a damaged home until you’re sure the scene if free from gas leaks. A small spark could start a new fire.

4. Don’t use a leaf blower to clear away ash. That will just kick up ash into the air, making the air more dangerous to breathe.

5. Don’t try to repair any fire-damaged gas lines or propane tanks. Always contact your utility provider.

6. Don’t touch or approach fire damaged electrical wiring. Again, your utility provider will have the best guidance on what to do next.

7. Don’t let ash stay on your skin for long. Shower immediately after your visit to a fire damaged property or do any cleanup.

8. Don’t touch a safe or fire-proof box you keep on the property. It can be dangerously hot even several hours after a fire is extinguished.

9. Don’t use a residential vacuum cleaner to clear away ash. That will just kick up particles into the air. Instead, use a shop vac with a clean HEPA filter.

10. Don’t use any contaminated water for drinking, bathing, or brushing your teeth. You may need to contact your utility provider before knowing that the water doesn’t contain any contaminants. 

What's This About?

The world around us is consistently changing due to natural disasters. This blog is our story, our footprint on how MSB Disaster Recovery Services creates change. Who is MSB Disaster Recovery Services? MSB disaster Recovery Services is a full-service emergency, restoration, and reconstruction company. When unforeseen disasters destroy construction, people call us so they can use their property to live and work again. Our professionals specialize in restoring construction damage caused by fire, water, wind, and earthquakes. Click here for more information on who we are.