Whether water, fire or storms, disasters can strike your home when you least expect it. Natural disasters like flood water damage or storm damage are heartbreaking and can leave a wake of damage in their way. Damage from sources found closer to home such as burst pipes, sewage backflows and kitchen fires while more common, are no less damaging and sudden. Read on to learn about the 5 most common sources of disaster in your home and how to deal with and hopefully prevent them from occurring in your home.
Burst Water Pipes
When a water pipe busts, litres and litres can spurt out in just a minute and can cause serious structural damage if not remediated as soon as possible. If this happens, shut off the main water valve and call you plumber, insurance agent and experienced water damage remediation experts immediately.
Sewage Backflows
Sewage backflows can occur for a number of reasons including storms that cause river overflows. The most contaminated floodwater contains dangerous pathogens and sewage which can seriously harm anyone who comes into contact. This kind of water is referred to as black water. If you must walk through or near sewage backflows, always wear protective clothing. If is a matter of urgency that you call a professional restoration company to handle the clean up. To prevent sewage backflows, install backwater valves that stop the backflow on the sanitary sewer line during a flood or sewer blockage.
Washing Machine Overflows
Washing machine overflows account for a large portion of all water damage events in Australia. If your washing machine overflows, switch off the power supply and mop up the water as soon as possible to ensure your laundry walls and flooring does not develop further water damage. To prevent washing machine overflows, inspect the hoses regularly to ensure leaks, cracks, blisters and bulges have not occurred.
Kitchen Fires
Kitchen Fires can happen suddenly but can cause severe damage to your property. Common kitchen fires include grease fires, toaster fires, stovetop fires and over fires. When dealing with pan fires, never carry the pan outside as spilt oil can further damage your kitchen and cause burns. Use a fire extinguisher, or if safe, put a lit on the pan to extinguish the fire.
For toaster fires, unplug the cord if safe to do so and use a fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire.
If an over fire occurs, turn off the heat and leave the door closed to wait for the fire to self extinguish.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon Monoxide poisoning is one of the main causes of accidental poisoning deaths. Carbon Monoxide poison symptoms include headaches, dizziness, fatigue and vomiting. Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home to prevent CO poisoning and never ignore the alarm. Even if no one feels ill, CO poisoning can still occur as CO is an odourless, colourless and tasteless gas. The after hours GP helpline is an extension of the healthdirect nurse triage service providing you with free* medical advice and support if you have any concerns you or a family member may be suffering from Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
The 5 disasters mentioned are just some of the incidents that can cause damage in your home. As with any disaster, information and preparedness is key. Crime Scene Clean Ups is an Australia-wide restoration company providing prompt, reliable and discreet remediation services.
