• Turn off electricity if there is water on the walls, and remember that soaked ceilings may fall. Also, use caution on wet, slippery surfaces
  
  
• Eliminate the source of the water. Know where your water shut-off vales are, or contact a plumber
  
  
• Remove as much excess water as soon as possible by mopping and blotting
  
  
• Remove personal belongings and furniture. Your furniture can bleed, swell and delaminate if left on wet carpet. Water travels underneath carpet several feet further than evident on the top side
  
  
• Wipe as much excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and table top items
  
  
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying (check for possible bleeding)
  
  
• Remove valuable paintings and art objects to a safe place
  
  
• Place aluminum foil, plastic or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
  
  
• Open drawers and cabinet doors for complete drying. (Do not force open, however)
  
  
• Open suitcases and luggage to dry, in sunlight if possible
  
  
• Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer
  
  
• Water needs to be removed from the carpet, walls and floors, then treated to stop mildew and mold growth. These structures need to be dried with special equipment to insure a healthy environment. If the drying process is started quickly, damage can be minimized
  

• Wait for a response from an insurance representative before doing the necessary emergency services or calling a professional
  
  
• Leave fabrics in place; dry as soon as possible, 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 TV or other 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
  
  

REMEMBER...

• Most water damage is not weather related! Toilet overflows, broken washing machine supply lines, faulty plumbing and other indoor accidents cause the majority of floods
  
  
• Save thousands of dollars in property damage, days or weeks of inconvenience and serious injuries, just by taking a few minutes to follow the Do's and Don'ts
  
  
• The insured homeowner is authorized and required by their insurance company to take prudent action to minimize loss. Failure to do so may absolve the insurance carrier from liability