There are many tasks you need to complete if your home is damaged or lost due to a disaster. Before you start, make sure you are taking care of yourself and your family. A disaster is a traumatic event, and it can take some time to recover. It’s common to feel confused or shocked. You should:

• Rest often and eat well
• Make a list of tasks and do one task at a time
• Get as much (gentle) physical activity as possible
• Accept help from others

If your home is damaged, here’s what you can do:

• If you are insured, contact your agent, broker or insurance company 
• If you rent, contact your building manager 
• Find temporary housing for your family 
  • Notify people if you move e.g., banks, schools, utilities, family and friends  
• Remove valuables from your home (if it's safe to enter) 
• Secure your property 
• Take care of your pets 

• Assemble supplies 
• Before going inside  
  • Look for loose power lines 
  • If you smell 'rotten eggs' it can be a sign of a gas leak 
  • Check the building foundation, roof, chimney and steps for damage  
  • Don't go inside if there's standing water around the house 
  • Take pictures of outside damage for insurance claims 
• When entering the building 
  • use extreme caution 
  • Check for gas leaks 
  • Look for electrical system damage 
  • Check for sewage and water line damage 
  • Watch for animals 
  • Keep track of your expenses and time in cleaning up 
• Check food and medicine. The motto to remember is 'if in doubt, throw it out'. Think too about water safety, water purification and sewage disposal 
• Clean up  
  • Tackle one room at a time 
  • Protect your hands – wear rubber gloves 
  • Clean walls from the bottom up so you can easily see where you have already cleaned 
  • Follow a three-step process: (1) Clean the room or item; (2) Disinfect it to kill germs and the smell left by floodwaters or smoke; (3) If necessary, get rid of mildew, which shows as fuzzy splotches 
  • Carefully follow directions on cleaning products. When using them, wear rubber gloves and goggles, keep children and pets away, and keep the materials away from flames. 
  • Make sure you have proper ventilation. Never mix ammonia with bleach or any other cleaning products. Do not use bleach on aluminum or linoleum
• Replace documents and money 
• Manage any insurance matters 
• Repair your home