Self Help Tips

Taking care of yourself and your property while waiting for professionals to arrive is essential to your family or workers safety and critical to limit damage to your property following an initial damage incident or catastrophe.

Especially, during catastrophic events help can be delayed. Use the guide and checklist below to help yourself until you are relived by the Geniuses.

FOR FLOODING:

The Do's:

• Remove excess water.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
• Elevate upholstery and cushions to facilitate drying.
• Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
• Remove valuable objects to a safe and dry place.
• Insert wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting or flooring.
• Turn on air conditioning to help with drying and dehumidification.

The Dont's

• Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
• Don't use a non waterproofed vacuum to remove water.
• Don't use any appliances or electronics prior to ensuring they are dry.
• Don't turn on ceiling lights or fixtures if ceiling is wet.
• Stay out of rooms where ceilings are showing signs or water or other damage.

FOR FIRE

The Do's

• Limit activity in the home to prevent soot particles from spreading.
• Keep hands clean to protect furniture, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If without power, empty refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves and remove them.
• Change HVAC filters.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

The Dont's

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery.
• Do not clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.

FOR MOLD AND OTHER BIOHAZARDS

The Do's

• Stay out of infected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.

The Dont's

• Don’t touch or disturb the infection.
• Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected infection.
• Don’t attempt to clean the area yourself.
• Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the area.

Remember, the steps above are only meant to be temporary guidelines until professionals arrive. 

Schedule a visit with our Geniuses and we will be there right away to take over.