Recovering from a disaster

Once the immediate threat is over, the recovery phase begins. You will want to go back to a state of normality, although in most major disasters life will change, and 'normality' will have to include the effects that the disaster has had on you, your family and your community.

The local authority will do everything it can to facilitate a speedy recovery to normality, but some responsibilities have to stay with you as an individual, especially where your health and property are concerned.

Your first concern after a disaster is your family's health and safety:

• Be aware of new hazards created by the disaster. Watch for washed out roads, contaminated buildings, contaminated water, gas leaks, broken glass, damaged wires, slippery floors and similar situations
• Be aware of exhaustion. Don't try to do too much at once. Set priorities and pace yourself.
• Drink plenty of clean water. Eat well and get enough rest.
• Wear sturdy boots and work gloves when working with debris. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water often, especially when in contact with floodwater.
• Inform your local authority or Emergency Services about health and safety hazards, such as chemical releases, downed power lines, washed out roads, smouldering insulation, and gas leaks or dead animals.

The Recovery from a Disaster – returning home

• Returning to a damaged home can be both physically and mentally challenging. Above all, use caution.
  Wear sturdy boots and work gloves.
• Before going into your house, walk carefully around the outside of your home and check for loose power lines, gas leaks and structural damage. If you smell gas, do not enter your home and leave immediately
• If your home was damaged by fire, do not enter until authorities say it is safe.
• Check for cracks in the roof, walls and chimneys. If it looks like the building may collapse, leave immediately.
• A torch is the best source of light for inspecting a damaged home. CAUTION: Switch it on outside. It may produce sparks that could set leaking gas alight, if present. Don't use open fire inside your house, if you suspect leaking gas.
• If you cut off your gas supply before you left, it needs to be switched on by a professional and gas systems tested before you can safely use it.
• If you enter a house and smell gas or hear a hissing sound, leave immediately.
• Check electrical appliances. If they are wet, they need to be checked by a professional before use.
• Open windows and doors to get the air moving again. Especially if you have been sheltering in your house, you need to get a draught going to vent your property of any gases that may have built up.
• Throw out fresh food, cosmetics and medicines that have been in contact with floodwater.
• Do not let your children play with toys that have been in contact with floodwater, before you have disinfected them.
• Check with your local authority or Water Supply Company before using the water; it may be contaminated.

Call your insurance provider as soon as possible. Take pictures of damages and keep good records of any repair work and cleaning costs. Always get a written quotation; your insurer will require this. Make sure that it is on letter headed paper with landline contact numbers and an address you have verified. Never pay in advance and only pay up when the work is done to your satisfaction and obtain a receipt for the payment.

To be sure, check with your local authority's Trading Standards department to get advice.

Securing Council premises after incidents

After a major incident, Wirral Council have plans in place to secure all council owned buildings such as our offices, leisure centres and schools etc. If you wish to report a problem with any council owned buildings, please call Streetscene on 0151 606 2004. (Out of hours call 0151 647 7810.)