Believe it or not, more deaths occur after a tropical storm or a hurricane than during. These deaths come from people being too anxious to get outside and survey the damage. This is where they come into contact with downed power lines or unstable trees, etc.
Drimaxx suggests that you follow these suggestions for staying safe after the hurricane:
- Remain indoors until an official "all clear" is given.
- Do not touch fallen or low-hanging wires of any kind under any circumstances. Stay away from puddles with wires in/near them. Do not touch trees or other objects in contact with power lines.
- USE PHONES ONLY FOR EMERGENCIES. Call 911 only for life-threatening situations.
- Call police or utility companies immediately to report hazards such as downed power lines, broken gas or water mains, overturned gas tanks, etc.
- Watch for weakened roads, bridges, tree limbs or porches which could collapse unexpectedly.
- After power is restored, check refrigerated food for spoilage. (Spoiled food is the cause of much sickness two days to a week after the storm.)
- When reinstalling a CB, TV or satelitte antenna, check in all directions to be sure no power lines are nearby. The same goes for climbing trees to clear debris.
- Do not operate charcoal grills, propane camping stoves or generators indoors.
Staying at a Public Shelter
Area public shelters are for the people who have no other place to go. If you must stay in a shelter, be sure to listen to news broadcasts for announcements of shelter openings. Shelter volunteers will do their best to make you comfortable, but a shelter is not a very comfortable place. Try to stay with friends or relatives, if at all possible.
- Those with special medical needs (oxygen, etc.) should go to special needs shelters only. Special needs shelters do not provide hands-on medical care, only medical monitoring. Bring a caregiver with you if needed.
- Only service animals are permitted in public shelters.
- Eat before you arrive. Meals may not be available during the first 24 hours. Bring snacks.
- Bring your identification, valuable papers and medications in their original containers.
- Bring baby supplies.
- Bring blankets/sleeping bags, pillows. Those are either not provided or limited in supply.
- Bring cards/games/books to pass the hours.
- Bring flashlights and a battery operated radio or TV with extra batteries for all.
- Stay inside and follow directions that are given for your comfort and safety.
- You will not be allowed outside until the official "all clear."
Have a safe and Happy Holiday season.
Brian S. L'Hommedieu
Owner, Drimaxx and After the Storm Emergency Management
www.drimaxx.com
www.helpafterthestorm.com
Water damage at home can cause a big trouble and burden in our pockets particularly if it is neglected. Once water damage takes place in your home, you should give an immediate attention to the problem before it becomes worst. Even though water is not as devastating as fire, it can still initiate health risks and damage to properties. In order that you can prevent this to happen, here are some tips on how to deal with water damage at home.
The first thing to do is check for the actual cause of the water damage.
If you know the source, it will be easy for you to deal with it on the next steps. The damage can be minor or due to negligence. It can also be from natural disasters like floods caused by heavy rains or storm. Minor water damage is often unintended like accidental spills on the carpeting of the floor or a faucet left unclosed in the bathroom.
There are some that can't be noticed right away because you initially thought that it’s just a simple negligence and it doesn't need urgent attention. Nevertheless, later you will sooner or later realize the damage it has taken on the carpet due to the buildup of molds or mildews. Molds are not only damaging to the carpet but they can also trigger health problems and allergic reactions to humans. Even a minor leak in your pipes or on your roof can cause devastating damage, if not fixed at once. Cracks on the wall can easily absorb moisture and they might cause it to collapse at no given time.
On the other hand, if the water damage is caused by flood due to a storm or when a pipe bursts from irrigation or a dam then the damage can be more extensive than you would expect. As soon as you already assessed the cause of the water damage your next step is now to apply the possible solutions.
For minor water damage like spills on the carpet, it is likely that it has been contaminated with molds. Although there are disinfectants or decontaminators that can be used, there are some kinds of molds that you can’t totally kill by these. Perhaps the best solution for these is to throw away the carpet and replace it with a new one before further contamination takes place in other places of your house.
For pipe leaks, turn off first the source of the water, then call up a plumber right away to fix it as soon as possible. If the water damage is too extensive as a result of a flood, it is best to hire an expert like Drimaxx to work on the issue. We are the ones who can assess well on the damage and help you to decide what possible solution to apply. Drimaxx is the company of choice to help you out on water damage removal. We have complete tools and equipment plus a well-trained staff to handle the jobsfor you. For more infomation, please visit our website www.drimaxx.com.
Thank you.
Brian S. L'Hommedieu
Owner at Drimaxx
Mold and Your Health
Exposure to damp and moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects. Some people are very sensitive to molds. Molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have even more severe reactions. Those who are immune-compromised with chronic lung illnesses, such as obstructive lung disease, may get serious infections in their lungs when they are exposed to mold. People with these health issues should stay away from areas that are likely to have mold, such as compost piles, cut grass, and wooded areas.
In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people. Also, asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition. The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children.
Causes
Mold grows where excess moisture is present. A variety of conditions can cause moisture problems, including roof, window and plumbing leaks; condensation; flooding; and excess humidity (generally above 60% - 70%). Tightly sealed buildings, such as those constructed during the energy crisis 20-30 years ago, may be a fertile environment for mold because they do not allow moisture to escape easily. There is also documented evidence indicating a high level of mold problems in newly constructed buildings, due to poor construction practices or using modern, water-permeable building materials such as gypsum board, plywood and paper-type insulation.
Mold Screening
If you would like to find out if your home is at risk for mold, Microscope offers a mold screening service. At Microscope, our inspector will do a limited number of sampling to capture a snap shot of the indoor air quality. If high concentrations of mold spores are found from the sampling, the client will be advised about additional investigating may be needed. This service is our most popular inspection service. Contact us today at 239-220-5114 to keep your home safe. For more information check out our website at www.moldscope.com.
