With the overwhelming response we received after last week’s email concerning Do’s and Don’ts immediately after a fire or smoke damage loss, we are following up this week on helpful information you can offer to your insured’s following a water loss. Please remember that you should direct your insureds to take all precautions necessary to avoid harm to themselves or anyone else entering their home and business, as there are many hazardous associated with water damage, including electrical shock. If they are in anyway unsure that their property or affected areas are not safe, please instruct them to wait for a professional to arrive prior to doing any of the items listed below.

In the event of water damage, do the following:

• Turn off the water source, if possible. If you don’t know how, call a plumber or the Water Department.
• Stay calm!
• Turn off the breaker in the wet areas before unplugging or removing electrical devices located on the wet carpet or other surface.
• Place aluminum foil under the legs of any furniture resting on with wet carpet. This might prevent furniture stains on your carpet, and keep the moisture from wicking into the furniture legs. If the water is more than surface deep, stand the legs in plastic bowls (or something similar).
• Lift draperies away from wet carpet.
• Pin up upholstered furniture skirts if they are in danger of touching the wet area. They could wick up water and become stained, or bleed color into the carpet.
• Remove books, shoes, paper goods, fabrics, potted plants, and other items which may stain wet carpet or wick up moisture.
• Turn on the air conditioner (no lower than 72 degrees) to speed up drying in the summer and in high humidity areas. If the air conditioning unit is in a wet area, DO NOT turn it on.
• Carefully punch holes in a sagging ceiling. This lets trapped water out and places less strain on the ceiling. Use a non-metal container to catch the released water. NEVER turn on ceiling lights or fans if the ceiling is wet.
• Remove area rugs from wet flooring or carpet.
• Move clothing and other fabric items to a dry place. Empty drawers of all items so that cupboards, bureaus, etc. can dry more easily.
• If the walls are wet, remove any decorative items from them.
• If you have to stay elsewhere while restoration is being done, be sure that your agent and your restoration company know how to reach you.

Do not attempt the following:

• Don’t use your home vacuum, since electrical shock may result, as well as certain damage to the equipment itself. You can, however, mop or squeegee standing water.
• Don’t place newspaper in traffic areas to walk on, since newspaper ink transfers easily to the wet carpet fibers and may result in permanent staining.

The top appliances contributing to water damage are:

• Hot water heaters
• Washing machines
• Refrigerators with icemakers and/or water units
• Dishwashers