What to do until help arrives!

Pekin, IL – Jason Fletcher, owner of SERVPRO® of Peoria & North Central Tazewell County is issuing the “WHAT TO DO UNTIL HELP ARRIVES” Emergency Tips for Your Home in the wake of possible heavy rains & flooding in Central Illinois in the next 48 hours. “Servpro will be ready to assist Central Illinois residents with emergencies – our teams will be ready around the clock and can be reached at (309) 346-5600”, says Jason Fletcher.

As a leader in fire and water damage cleanup and restoration, SERVPRO® receives numerous inquiries from homeowners and media contacts about how to deal with water damage whenever severe weather and natural disasters occur.

“Safety is, of course, the most important issue,” says SERVPRO® of Peoria President, Jason Fletcher. “If flooding, contaminated water, sewage and other factors are involved, homeowners clearly should evacuate – or at the very least obey what local government authorities are advising.”

“Providing the home is structurally safe, SERVPRO® recommends several actions homeowners can take after an incident to help in the cleanup and recovery from water damage to their home while they await the help of a professional cleanup service,” says Fletcher.
The tips help homeowners save valuable possessions and money – particularly when storm and water damage is so severe that cleanup crews cannot respond immediately.

Fletcher says homeowners should:
• Safely turn the home’s water main off if running water inside the house is the source of the problem.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery and pillow cushions for even drying.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Turn air conditioning on the maximum drying (in summer).
• Remove Oriental rugs or other colored rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpeting.
• Remove valuable paintings and art objects to a safe, dry place.
• Open and place luggage in sunlight to dry, if possible.
• Gather loose items, toys, etc. from floors.

Fletcher says homeowners should not:
• Leave wet fabrics in place. Dry fabrics as soon as possible and hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
• Leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors.
• Use your household vacuum to remove water.
• Use televisions or other household appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.
If water damage has resulted in exposure to sewage and other harmful waste, Fletcher advises to:
• Stay out of the affected areas.
• Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life-threatening.
• Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.
• Turn off the HVAC system if there is sewage system damage.
Fletcher says not to:
• Attempt cleanup of any kind.
• Touch or handle items that might be contaminated with bodily fluids.
• Eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics or handle contact lenses in affected areas.
Fletcher also notes that OSHA recommends a post-exposure medical examination for anyone encountering a hazardous waste problem and suggests contacting your local health department or physician.
Complete tips list for both fire and smoke damage and water damage are available at the SERVPRO® web site:
• http://www.servpropeoria.com/water-damage-tips
Founded in 1967, Servpro Industries, Inc. franchise system is a national leader and provider of fire, water, mold and other specialty cleanup and restoration services. SERVPRO’s professional services network of more than 1,600 individually owned and operated franchises responds to property damage emergencies ranging from multi-million dollar disasters affecting entire communities to those suffered by individual businesses and homes. Providing coverage in 48 states, SERVPRO® has established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients, as well as individual homeowners.