Vital Safety Tips for your home & business

HERE ARE SOME OF OUR RECOMMENDED SAFETY TIPS:

  • Document and inventory property in your home and/or business regularly and thoroughly.  Photographs are ideal.
  • Maintain the right amount and type of insurance on your property and its contents. 
  • Post the phone/contact information for emergency responders at phones throughout your home or business. The numbers should include; fire, police, utility companies and emergency contractors. 
  • Make sure someone in your family or on your staff knows how to contact your insurance company or agent and make these numbers readily accessible. 
  • Your local fire department will be glad to conduct a fire safety inspection in your home and a regular, annual inspection for your business.
  • Plan and practice emergency procedures and evacuations at home and work.
  • Use a fireproof box, or a bank safe deposit box, to store important documents for your home and/or business.

First Emergency Responses - Water and Electricity

  • Document and inventory property regularly and thoroughly
  • Let your local utility companies deal with any utility that needs shutoff or repair 
  • If you need to leave because of the damage, lock all doors and windows and take high-value items with you.
  • If the damage is significant, do not leave the building unsecured. Local ordinances generally require that you secure damaged premises by boarding up, or some other means
  • As soon as you can, remove all standing water and moisture as completely as you can
  • If the heat fails and it's below freezing, letting a faucet or water supply line trickle slowly will help to prevent frozen, broken pipes. If repairs to the heating system will take more than 24 hours, it's a good idea to drain all supply lines, water heaters and plumbing fixtures.
  • Dispose of any food contaminated by water and, if the electricity fails for an extended period, discard perishable foods from refrigerator. It only takes a couple of hours for bacterial growth to start and spread.

First Emergency Responses - Smoke and Fire

  • Blow off or brush loose ash and smoke particles from upholstery, drapes and carpets. A blow dryer works well for small areas. A leaf blower works well on larger areas.
  • After removing the smoke residue, cover the carpet and upholstery (if not wet) to prevent recontamination
  • Cover heating and air conditioning vents with cheesecloth or another filtering medium to minimize the circulation of smoke and soot
  • Wash ash and soot off plant leaves
  • Wash pets and remove them if there appear to be any toxic hazards
  • Change the air filter on the HVAC system
  • Do not use electrical equipment that appears to be sooty or damaged
  • Do not use ordinary cleaning products on smoke or fire damaged items