Disasters, by their very nature, are unpredictable and often destructive. The physical damage they cause is often widespread and can be extremely costly to repair. But there is another, often hidden, cost associated with disasters: secondary damage.
Secondary damage is the damage that occurs after the initial disaster as a result of things like fires, flooding, and power outages. It can be just as costly as the primary damage, and sometimes even more so.
The good news is that there are steps you can take to prevent secondary damage. Here are four tips to get you started:
1. Be prepared for power outages.
Have a backup power source ready in case of a power outage. This could be a generator, solar power, or a backup battery.
2. Be aware of the risks of fire.
If there’s a risk of fire, make sure you have working smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher. And if a fire does break out, evacuate immediately.
3. Be prepared for flooding.
If there’s a risk of flooding, sandbag your doors and windows and have a plan for evacuating if necessary.
4. Be aware of the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning.
If there’s a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors and a plan for evacuating if necessary.
By following these tips, you can help prevent secondary damage after a disaster.