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Safety and Emergency Preparedness

BELFOR build your own disaster kitDisaster can strike without warning.

Two-thirds of American homeowners are still unprepared in the event of a disaster, according to a new survey commissioned by BELFOR to measure household disaster preparedness and awareness.

Almost half of the survey respondents - 45% - did not know what items they should have on-hand in the event of an emergency.

BELFOR is dedicated to promoting preparedness. We want to educate and motivate our customers as well as all homeowners, business owners and families to prepare and protect themselves.

We offer easy-to-understand tips and recommendations for learning common steps you should take during a disaster so that you can greatly reduce the danger and distress your family or business may face.

Basic Guidelines For Dealing With A Disaster

The basic actions that you take may depend on different factors (cause and condition) but there are some general recommendations that can be applied to practically all types of damage:

  • Life safety issues should be always be addressed prior to starting the property recovery process.
  • Shore up, secure and/or evacuate all areas in danger of collapsing.
  • Secure the scene to prevent unauthorized entry.
  • Install protection barriers or secondary containment systems to prevent pollutants from flowing into drains or absorbing into the soil.
  • Switch off all equipment immediately. Do not reconnect them until it is safe to do so.
  • Shut down all systems - power, water, gas, compressed air supply and air conditioning systems. Do not reconnect until it is safe to do so.
  • Document the damage with photographs and written records.
  • Notify your insurance company.

Are You Prepared For Disaster?

BELFOR Preparedness Month 2019 Survey Infographic

Extreme weather poses risks all over the world. Across the USA hurricanes, tornados, floods, hail, ice storms, and wildfire are some of the biggest threats to safety and property.

The dangers of disaster are reduced with proper preparation. Have emergency kits ready to go, know where to check for warnings and updates, and run through plans with your family.

Being organized will also help in clean up and recovery. Knowing where everything was and who to contact means you can get on the road to recovery straight away. Find specific advice for different disasters with our safety and preparedness guides below.

Safety and Preparedness Guides

Clean and Repair

If disaster does strike, BELFOR has a scientific approach. We will assess:

  • Amount of property damage
  • Replacement costs vs restoration costs

It’s better to deal with property damage promptly. If left, it risks further deterioration adding to costs.