When there is a fire in a building, the sprinkler system and firefighters’ efforts can be a saving grace. However, if the sprinklers went off in your home or office, would you run inside the building to gather items that would be irreplaceable if damaged by water? Did you know that you do not have to risk your life and safety for fear that precious books, photos and documents may get wet?
Although fire sprinklers can help slow the spread of a fire in a building, they can also cause water damage to electronic equipment, walls, carpets and so on. To help address this problem, “The Washington Post” suggests placing valuables in plastic zipper bags and storing them on the lower levels of a building, off the floor. However, the plastic zipper bags will only do so much if they burn in a fire.
While storing items in plastic bags is not a horrible idea, there are other steps people can take in a home or office to prevent water and fire damage from occurring to important documents and personal items in the event of a fire.
The first is to invest in a water and fireproof file cabinet and/or safe and use it. Store your important documents and personal items in a file cabinet or safe on a daily basis. These items can include deeds, photograph negatives, contracts, books and other things of value. Learn other water and fire-damage prevention techniques.
It is a buyer’s market when it comes to housing. With housing prices at an all-time low and tax incentives expiring soon, there are a few things to consider when it comes to homeowners insurance before making a costly investment decision.
Before purchasing a home, consider:
Flood insurance. Is the home you are interested in located in a flood plain? If so, how much will flood insurance cost you? Keep in mind flood insurance must be purchased separately from homeowners insurance
Past damage. Just as you can request a history report on a used vehicle, you can request a CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) and/or an A-Plus (Automated Property Loss Underwriting System) report on a home you want to purchase. These reports will detail insurance claims involving the home, such as those relating to fire, floods, water damage and mold. Knowing the damages a house has experienced can help you know about potential problems to look for, such as mold damage that was not completely remediated.
The history of a home’s location. Consider the natural disasters your home may fall victim to, like hurricanes, tornadoes, heavy rains, earthquakes, wildfires and so on.
Safety first. A home with best safety features can lower insurance premiums. The New York Times reports “a home in a community with a professional fire department rather than volunteers” may cost a homeowner less to insure. In addition, “Installing smoke detectors, burglar alarms and deadbolt locks can save you 5 percent. It can be expensive but installing alarms that alert police and fire of a break-in or fire can cut as much as 20 percent from the premium cost.”
Residents of Fargo, South Dakota are battling the Red River once again as it has reached the critical stage of a “major flood” today. As of 7:00 a.m., the river was 12-feet above flood stage at 30.34 feet, according to CNN. Waters are expected to get as high as 38 feet over the weekend.
Major Flood Stage
The term, “major flood stage,” was developed by the National Weather Service to describe floods whose waters have covered roads and buildings. When waters reach this stage possessions should be elevated, such as to the 2nd-story of a house, and residents should be prepare for an evacuation.
The recent flood was caused by the recent warm weather and rain melting snow, causing the Red River to swell in the Fargo area. There are still patches of ice and snow that have yet to melt.
One of the most important things to do before a storm is to have a plan: have a plan for your business, and have a plan for your home. This plan should include directions on where items should be stored to protect them from flood waters, preparing an emergency disaster kit that’s ready to go should there be an evacuation, and having a list of important phone numbers so you can reach family members, schools, insurance agents, etc. Being prepared will aid in business continuity and getting things back to normal afterwards.
What to do After a Flood
Do not go into a building to assess the damage unless an expert has said it is safe to do so. Call your insurance company to file a claim if you have flood insurance. Begin restoring wet items before mold can cause damage by placing them out to dry and calling a flood restoration specialist. Many items like documents, books and photographs can be dried and restored after a storm with the help of specialist as well.
With fall weather that already seems too cold and the freezing winter months approaching the U.S. quickly, it is important that business and homeowners prepare their homes for water damage, or the prevention thereof.
The Insurance Information Institute reports the average claim due to water damage is about $5531. While some homeowner insurance policies may provide some coverage for certain types of water damage, not all do. One should review their home and business insurance policies with their agent to see exactly what is covered and what is not. Are there any riders, or policy add-ons, that can be added for extra protection? What type of water damage is covered?
NJ.com provides the following tips from The Institute for Business & Home Safety:
“Inspect hoses and faucets. Check hoses leading to water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines and refrigerator ice makers annually. Replace those with cracks or leaks, and replace them all every five to seven years.
Shut off the water supply to the washing machine while away on vacation. Never leave the house while the washer or dishwasher is running. Know where the main water shut off valve is in your home.
Install an emergency pressure release valve in your plumbing system to protect against the increased pressure caused by freezing pipes.
Remove debris from downspouts. Turn off and drain outside faucets to protect against frozen pipes.
Install gutter guards to protect the clogging of the roof gutter so water flows easily off the roof.”
Other tips to prevent water damage when the weather gets cold include:
Missouri and Illinois are not unaccustomed to having parts of the state flood when the waters rise in the spring or summer. But recent floods have been baffling scientists as rivers crest and spill water into places that are typically dry this time of year.
Record rainfall was recorded for the month of October as rivers rose and flash floods invaded vulnerable areas. This event was called a monsoon by meteorologists. The waters that caused recent floods are not at the levels as devastating floods in the past had risen to, but the problem being caused by the waters is that they are flooding farmlands vital to the economy.
“The most significant flooding along the Mississippi was expected to be at Cape Girardeau in the southern part of Missouri. The weather service expects the river to crest 9 feet above flood stage on Wednesday. The community is protected by a flood wall, and no significant problems are expected.”
