COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL | SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 | 5B Post-flood safety tips Natural disasters can strike at any time, and no disaster is more likely to strike than a flood. According to the World Health Organization, floods are the most frequent type of natural disaster, affect- ing more than two billion people worldwide between 1998 and 2017. And the WHO reports that floods are increasing in frequency and intensity. The Insurance Informa- tion Institute notes that flood damage is excluded under standard homeown- ers and renters insurance policies. However, flood insurance can be purchased from the Federal Emergen- cy Management Agency via the National Flood Insur- ance Program. Purchasing flood insur- ance prior to flooding can be a wise move for renters and homeowners who live in areas vulnerable to flood- ing. And should flooding occur, victims can take these steps to be safe as they try to get back to normal. • Dress the part. When returning to your property to assess any damage, wear appropriate safety gear. The Centers for Disease Con- trol and Prevention recom- mends homeowners and renters wear a hard hat, goggles, respirator mask (with an N95 rating or higher), thick work gloves, and waterproof, steel-toed boots when returning to their homes after a flood. If there’s been a sewage leak, wear rubber gloves and rubber boots during the in- spection. • Conduct a self-inspec- tion of your home. Local authorities often dictate when people can reenter their homes after flooding has occurred. Once they get the go-ahead to go back home, residents should first inspect the property to see if it’s safe to reenter. A walk- around of the property may reveal downed power lines, wildlife and leaky utility lines that can make it dan- gerous to reenter a home. In addition, the Red Cross recommends checking the home exterior for structural damage like cracks in the foundation, roof damage or missing beams. Any such damage should be inspected by a professional before anyone moves back into the home. • Assess utilities and appliances. If the home is safe to enter, Allstate Insurance recom- mends checking the utilities and appliances in- side the home. The CDC advises against turning on any light switches, as doing so could OLD MILL FARM STORE -Est 1870- spark a fire if there are any gas leaks or electrical prob- lems. Leave the property immediately if you smell gas and call the fire department to report the leak. If there is no standing water around the electrical box and your clothes are dry, turn off the electrical system if you did not do so prior to evacuat- ing. Do not use any dam- aged appliances until they have been deemed safe by a professional. Homeowners and renters victimized by flooding must make safety a priority when returning to their homes to assess the damage. ARE YOU AND YOUR PETS PREPARED? EMERGECY PET CHECKLIST For animals larger than 100 lbs. Horses, Goats, Pigs, etc. • Prepare your trailer with emergency gear, 10 days of food, water, two buckets, medicines, and stress relief formula. • Practice loading before an emergency, use a labeled leather harness with a minimum 10 ft . lead, and have a route planned or considered. • Label hooves and horns with your goats name, owner name, and contact info with a permanent in marker. For animals smaller than 100 lbs. Dogs, Cats, Birds, etc. • Have a backpack stocked for 10 days with food, water, extra collar/leash, medicines, stress relief formula. • Carry a clear and recent photo of your pet in your backpack and cell phone with emergency contact info. • Bring your licenses and any additional information along with pre-scented homely or toy items for comfort. Come by and Chat! Open Mon-Fri 10-5 Saturday 10-4 942-3042 • 327 S. River Rd. • Cottage Grove