1 Check for damage
2Check safety of main supplies
3Make repairs
4 Contact your insurance company
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NATURAL DISASTERS
CHECKING YOUR HOME
1 Check for damage
• Do not enter your home if there is water around it. Flood water can undermine foundations, causing buildings to sink, floors to crack, or walls to collapse.
• Check the outside of your home for signs of structural damage, such as cracks in walls, a leaning chimney, and walls at angles.
• If you are certain that it is safe to enter your home, go inside and inspect the walls, floors, windows, doors, and staircases for damage.
• Do not enter your home carrying any naked flame, such as a lighted cigarette, in case of gas leaks.
• If you are unsure, ask a structural engineer to inspect your home.
2Check safety of main supplies
• If you remained in your house and did not turn off main supplies, be aware of the possible dangers.
• If wiring has been damaged, turn off electricity at the main and ask
an electrician to inspect it.
• If you can smell gas, turn off the supply at the main, open doors
and windows, and leave at once.
• If sewage pipes are damaged, turn off your water supply at the main
shutoff valve( outside your house) to prevent contaminated water from entering your water system.
• Do not drink tap water unless you have been officially told it is safe.
• If you turned off main supplies before the disaster, and are certain
that they are safe, turn on the water and electricity, and ask your gas supplier to turn on the gas.
3Make repairs
• Check for minor damage, such as cracked or missing roof tiles and leaks, in your home. Remedy any problems as quickly as possible. If necessary, use short-term solutions until proper repair work can be undertaken.
• If your home has been shaken by the disaster, causing breaks and spills, clean up dangerous debris as quickly as possible. Shattered glass and spilled flammable liquids and bleaches are potentially dangerous.
Clear up any breaks and spills
4 Contact your insurance company
• Call your insurance company’ s emergency helpline as soon as possible. You will be given advice on what to do.
• If immediate repairs are necessary, arrange for them to be carried out straight away. Keep the receipts to give to your insurers later.
• Your insurance company will send a loss adjuster to assess extensive damage and the cost of reparation.
• Take photographs or videos of the damage to corroborate insurance claims. Keep copies of all your correspondence with insurers.