Look carefully around the exterior and interior of your home and decide what needs to be done says Fire Water Damage Restoration Binghamton NY. Write it all down to create a checklist. This essential “plan of action” will come in handy when it’s time to open up the place again, because without it, you probably won’t be able to remember all the things that have to be “un-done.” To help you develop your own checklist, the following suggestions, though not applicable in every case, identify potential problem areas that warrant consideration.
Fire Water Damage Restoration Binghamton NY: Vacation Home Prep
Fire Water Damage Restoration - Fire Safety
If you’re planning a vacation and your home will be empty, you can go away with a freer mind and less worry if you check your home before leaving. Check to make sure that all stoves and electrical appliances have been turned off or disconnected says Fire Water Damage Restoration Binghamton NY. Unplug all television sets and radios. Lightning storms or sudden electrical surges could cause a fire in this equipment while you’re away. When you return from your vacation, check your smoke detector to make sure it is functioning. Batteries could run down or other components could fail while you’re away. Dispose of or move potentially flammable items such as oily rags and stacked papers, before you leave.
Water Safety
Pipes, water heaters and other appliances can break and leak. In freezing weather, pipes can freeze and both plastic (PVC) and copper pipes can burst, causing major damage in a home left unattended. Close and lock all doors, windows, skylights and vents to keep out wind and wind-driven rain. In colder climates, don’t turn the thermostat off, instead leave it set to at least 55 degrees F. If leaving for an extended period of time, the best protection is to shut the water off and drain water lines. In addition, shut off the gas to the water heater or turn the temperature control to a vacation setting. If your house has a water softener, shut off its supply line. If you choose to leave water service on, take the following precautions. Insulate pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic and especially in a garage or basement next to an outside wall during the winter. Wrap heating tape or cables around water pipes to prevent pipes from freezing. Turn off the water supply to individual fixtures like your washing machine, icemaker, toilets and sinks. Don’t leave appliances running when you leave, and check to make sure toilets aren’t running. Make sure the sump pump is working, especially in late winter or early spring when melting snow or heavy rain increases the risk of basement flooding states Fire Water Damage Restoration Binghamton NY.
Update Policies
Check your insurance policy and make sure it is up to date. If the worst happens, you don’t want to wonder if it’s going to cover your losses explains Fire Water Damage Restoration Binghamton NY. A copy of your household inventory should be stored with the rest of your important papers. Secure important papers and valuables. Anything that cannot be easily replaced such as personal, legal, and financial records, expensive jewelry, and family photos should be stored in a secure location. Include blank checks and passports. If you are writing the Great American Novel or have five years of genealogy research on your computer, make a backup and store it with your other records. A fire-proof floor safe in a closet may work or use a safe deposit box. Last but not least, shred anything that contains ID information that won’t be secured but which you don’t need to retain; A talented crook only needs one set of social security numbers to steal your identity.
