3 Ways To Stay Safe During a Flood Cleanup

4/12/2018 (Permalink)

Outdoor flooding in Oklahoma City, OK, can cause damage to your home in many ways. Whether flood water poured into your basement or invaded the main rooms of your house, the cleanup process can be a daunting one. However, there may also be a few dangers involved, and knowing how to stay safe as you recover from a flood can reduce the risk of illness or injury to you and your family.

1. Avoid Black Water

When rivers, streams and other outdoor bodies of water spill over their banks and create flooding, the water may mix with sewage overflow, chemicals from drainage ditches and other debris. As a result, flood water is typically loaded with contaminants and pathogens that may cause illnesses in people and pets. This black water should only be handled by a qualified storm cleanup and water damage company that has the ability and equipment to drain and dispose of it safely.

2. Beware of Electrical Hazards

Once flood water enters your home, it may create standing water in one or more rooms. While you may want to enter these areas to retrieve wet belongings, it is important to remember that electric outlets, wires and circuit panels may have been affected by water to create a severe electrical hazard. Before you enter a flooded room, cut your home’s power and wear rubberized protective boots and gloves to minimize the danger of electric shock.

3. Do Not Disturb Mold

A flooded home can be prone to mold growth, especially in the first few days after the flood when humidity is high. However, you may want to avoid cleaning up mold on your own, as disturbing it can cause spores to detach and settle nearby, increasing the spread of the fungus. Let your flood cleanup company handle the removal and treatment of mold. 

When flood water invades your Oklahoma City, OK, home, it can be difficult to know where to begin with cleanup efforts. However, when you make the safety of yourself and your family job number one, the path to restoration can be easier to travel. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROofsouthoklahomacity.com.