Returning home after a natural disaster without prior inspection and restoration entails risks. The wrath of nature is brutal whether we are talking about earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, or landslides. No case is the same. But in all cases, the effects of natural disasters on the environment, homes, and people vary in many aspects and all such situations are considered urgent. The question here is whether or not you are safe to return home. That’s if it’s not ruined. The response is simple. It’s never safe to return home before a disaster restoration company takes a look at the condition of the house first. And here are the main safety risks after disasters.
Two-level disaster management
The only safe thing after natural disasters is to assume that there are potential safety risks even if your home seems fine at first glance. Although not all disasters are the same, they may affect the condition of your home in terms of stability, water damage, gas leaks, loose pipes, broken roofs etc. Simply put, safety risks are divided in two broad categories: structural problems and hazards.
Structural problems
If the house is still standing, it doesn’t mean it’s safe for you to return. Water damage is highly likely after a flood. Structural damage is likely to happen after an earthquake. It’s crucial that you hire a team for the water damage restoration. Water is a powerful enemy since it won’t only ruin the floor, walls, and valuables but might also cause foundation damage, problems with the electricity, and mold growth. Earthquakes might cause severe structural damage too. In all such cases, you need to let a professional team go in first. Only after they check the electrical equipment and circuits, extract waters, inspect for mold, and do any restoration needed it’d be safe for your family to move back.
Hazards
Gas leaks are common hazards after natural disasters. But mold growth is also a potential hazard. Lingering smoke after a fire is also a main health risk. Anything from smoke clean up to mold removal is important to be done before you enter your home. Even if your house looks okay, don’t try to use gas ovens, turn on lights, tamper with the electrical circuits, or light a torch. If you enter the house, do nothing to minimize the risks.
It’s vital that a team is called for smoke, soot, or mold cleanup as soon as possible. There are safety hazards when there’s carbon monoxide, which is odorless and colorless. But it’s equally significant that all hazardous materials are removed from the home quickly too. These materials include wet wood and carpets, damaged items, and flammable items that could create another disaster, like starting a fire, spreading mold, or putting someone’s safety at risk.
Damage restoration is a must before you return home
Natural disasters may also cause partial or complete home destruction. In the case of the latter, a complete home restoration is required before you return back to your normal life. If this is a partial rebuild service, it’s vital that the damage is fully restored – no lingering smoke, no wet areas, no gas odors, no mold! The consequences of natural disasters are plenty. The effects vary. But in all circumstances, getting back to a safe home is a matter of eradicating all enemies first.
