The Ultimate Home Improvement

(HIT) - Circumstance, whether by nature or human activities, can wreck havoc on the best of family homes without warning. A flood, fire, windstorm, accident or illness not only makes high watermarks and smoke smears on plaster walls; it devastates the people who have worked years to build, refine and decorate their dwellings. To heal the people and restore order in the lives of family members requires putting the home in order as quickly and decisively as possible. The steps below are intended to provide a framework for coping with unexpected emergencies the shortest possible distance between chaos and the return to order:

Planning, Prevention and Preparedness

As anyone who has experienced even the smallest kitchen fire, or shattered garage door, or flooded upstairs bathroom, can tell you, your homeowners insurance policy (required by most home financing institutions) can be the soundest home investment of all. A few dollars a month with a reasonable deductible maintains enough protection to get rid of the burned cupboards, clean the smoke damage, and get on with life in short order. And as anyone without insurance who has kicked through the rubble of every worldly possession can tell you, it’s too late for that part of your reconstruction plan when the alarm is sounded.

A typical comprehensive home owner policy, available in most states, includes repair and replacement for damaged furniture and other property, liability for injuries on the premises and allowance for housing while the necessary work is done. Renter insurance is likewise an absolute necessity for peace of mind and pocketbook.

Big emergencies involving homeowner insurance require prompt action and careful selection of a reliable restoration service—who will remove, clean, repair, and restore your home and belongings to their former beauty. Provision is usually made for safe living conditions away from the disaster site. Pay attention to every step of the process. A homeowner who is ill or injured needs to designate a friend or neighbor to oversee this process and ask for receipts listing each item thrown or taken away.

In situations where there is no insurance— a practical order would be: safety and health concerns first; repair work as it can be done; and emphasis on organizing the chaos in the meantime.

While it certainly would be inconvenient to seal off a room and live around it for a pay-as-you-go repair project; it beats living in utter bedlam with potentially unsafe air and chemicals. Plastic drops are effective means of containing contaminants, when used according to manufacturer directions.

Also remember, the American Red Cross has experience far beyond passing out coffee at the scene of emergencies. If your situation needs help, ask for it.

Emergencies involving natural gas are not ever do-it-yourself projects. Get out. Get help. And don’t forget to Give Thanks that you lived to tell the story. Likewise electricity and water are not a good mix. In the event of downed electric wires as in a storm; stay out, stay dry, stay where you are if necessary until rescued.

Accidents And Unplanned Illnesses

Few families plan for accident and severe illnesses, yet a few months of inactivity by the family breadwinner can take it all. Supporting Community Volunteer Fire Departments and Ambulance Service is a rock bottom protection for everything in your home. No amount of paint or wallpaper can ever remove the trauma of a preventable fire or personal injury

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center



Posted On: Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Source: Home Improvement Time