Protecting your belongings from storms

8/3/2020 (Permalink)

We’ve all done it, left something out in the rain that we weren’t supposed to. Maybe you’ve left the window down in your car overnight, and woken up to a soggy seat on the way to work. Maybe you forgot that book you were reading in the hammock as a storm rolled in and your sunny afternoon disappeared and you disappeared inside your house. Whatever the reason, you don’t think about rain affecting the belongings you keep IN your house…Right?

When we think about storms here in Oregon, we think about wind damage and flooding. Flooding is one of the things that can cause the most damage to your precious belongings. Flood water is also considered contaminated water (due to the unknown materials it had traveled through before it invaded your home).

Keeping your belongings safe in your home is pretty simple and here are some tips to get you started:

~When storing clothes, papers, or cardboard boxes, never leave them on the floor. Instead place them on shelving off the floor.

~Also, if you don’t have shelving, buy some storage totes with lids and use them in place of cardboard boxes…especially if you store things in a basement or garage with concrete flooring.

~Place your family pictures higher on walls.

~Store your valuables off the floor.

~Make sure your homeowners insurance is up to date on the value of your belongings.

~If a flood does happen, don’t place the safety of your belongings over the safety of your life, get to a safe place first! Then call emergency for help.

These are just some ideas to help you get started. Your belongings are something you are proud of and want to keep safe, the same as your home. If your belongings are damaged, call SERVPRO of Salem West (503) 393-9999, we have an amazing content restoration team and we are here to help!