Frequently asked questions
immediate safety questions
When should I leave and contact emergency services?
Leave when you can do so safely and contact local emergency services for an immediate threat to life, trapped occupants, fire, suspected gas, serious injury, or another rapidly developing danger.
Do not re-enter or remain in danger to protect property.
Sources
External links are supplemental; the core safety boundaries are included on this page.
Can I enter a building that may be structurally damaged?
Stay outside when you see or hear signs of instability, including collapse, shifted walls, sagging surfaces, or unusual structural sounds.
Wait for the appropriate public authority or qualified inspector to determine whether entry is safe.
Sources
External links are supplemental; the core safety boundaries are included on this page.
What should I do if I smell gas after water damage?
Leave the building and contact emergency authorities from a safe location.
Do not operate lights, switches, flames, or anything else that could create a spark, and do not return until authorities say it is safe.
Sources
External links are supplemental; the core safety boundaries are included on this page.
Should children or pets be in a water-damage cleanup area?
Keep children and pets away from the affected area until hazards are controlled and cleanup is complete.
Do not allow them near standing water, damaged structures, electrical equipment, sewage, floodwater, mold, debris, or cleanup chemicals.
Sources
External links are supplemental; the core safety boundaries are included on this page.
