After the disaster: returning home safely and cleaning up

The dangers after a disaster are often invisible. Water can wash out foundations, an earthquake can loosen walls, and a fire can weaken beams from inside. Visible cracks in load-bearing walls, sagging ceilings or a house that leans are clear signs: do not go in; call in professionals or the authorities. This entry does not replace a professional structural assessment.

Gas and electricity are the second big danger. Pipes and cables may be torn or shifted. A single spark – from a light switch, for example – can ignite leaking gas. If water stands in rooms with sockets or wiring, it may be live. After water has got in, the power is switched back on only once a qualified electrician has checked the installation.

The third danger is sometimes one you bring along yourself: carbon monoxide. Generators, combustion-engine dryers, petrol pressure washers and grills produce this gas. It has no smell, is invisible and can quickly become life-threatening in closed rooms, basements and garages. Such equipment always belongs outdoors and well away from windows and doors.

First: safety. Return only when the authorities clear the area, preferably in daylight and not alone. Sturdy shoes, long clothing and gloves protect against glass, nails and mud. A headlamp is better than a candle or lighter, because a naked flame would be dangerous if gas is leaking. Start with a walk around the house and, when in doubt, stay outside.

Second: documentation. Before you move anything, photograph and film everything – every room, the waterline on the walls, damaged items and rating plates with serial numbers. Inform your insurer early and ask which things you must keep and which you may throw away. If you clear up too early, it can be harder to prove the damage later.

Third: restoring. Electricity, gas and heating are checked by professionals after damage. Use tap water again only when the water utility gives the all-clear – until then, your drinking-water reserve covers you. Only then does the actual cleaning and drying begin.

After water damage, moisture is the biggest enemy. Mould grows quickly on wet materials. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) therefore recommends drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours where possible. Everything wet comes out of the house, windows and doors are opened for airing, and electric dryers are only used once the electrics have been cleared.

Soaked porous materials such as carpets, upholstered furniture, mattresses and insulation fill up like a sponge and often do not dry in time. They are usually discarded – after checking with the insurer. Hard surfaces such as tiles, metal or glass, on the other hand, can usually be cleaned and dried.

With mould, wear a particle mask, goggles and gloves, because scraping releases spores into the air. You can clean and dry small areas on hard surfaces yourself; leave large-scale growth to professionals. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions stay away from the work.

Flood mud is not ordinary dirt. It can contain sewage, oil and chemicals. Wear waterproof gloves and boots, cover wounds and wash your hands thoroughly after work and before eating. Food that has come into contact with floodwater should usually be thrown away.

Anyone injured during clean-up should have their tetanus protection checked by a doctor. Clearing up is heavy physical work: plan breaks, drink enough and lift heavy, wet items in pairs. Many accidents happen when people keep working while exhausted.

If you smell gas, the rule is always: do not go in, do not operate switches, no flame, move away and call the gas emergency service or the local emergency number (112 in the EU) from outside. Work on gas, electricity or load-bearing parts is a job for professionals.

A disaster hits not only the house but also the people in it. Exhaustion, sleep problems, irritability or images that keep coming back are common reactions and not a sign of weakness. For many people they fade over time.

Accepting help is wise. Neighbours, family, aid organisations and advice centres can help with clearing up, with forms or simply by listening. Children need plenty of explanation and normality, such as regular meal and bed times. If the strain lasts a long time or gets worse, professional support makes sense.