Kovels Offer Tips for Dealing with Disaster If you were spared the devastation of Katrina but are dealing with flooding, the Kovels offer advice to help save your household goods and collectibles in the special report, “Dealing with Disaster.”
News-Antique.com - Nov 30,-0001 - If you were spared from the terrible devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina but are faced with the effects of less-serious flooding, you may be able to save most of your household goods and collectibles. The Kovels, whose own “country store” basement flooded a few years ago, offer lots of advice in their special report, “Dealing with Disaster.”
Here are a few quick tips.
Don’t sign anything quickly. Lawyers, adjusters, builders, and others will contact you with offers to “help.” Be very careful. You are emotionally on edge, tired, overworked, and simply not at your best. It might be helpful to have a trusted friend or family member help screen calls, check references, and review policies.
After the water has cleared, get permission to re-enter the premises and wait for a claims adjuster. Once the adjuster has surveyed the damage, you can begin the cleaning process. Remove valuables and salvageable items for cleaning, storage, and/or repair.
For your safety:
It may take several washings to completely sanitize your dishes, cookware, utensils, and flatware.
Wash cans and jars of food in soap and water. Have a marker handy if labels fall off.
Do not refreeze thawed food, even if it is still cold.
Do not use any electrical appliances until they have been checked by a professional. Replace soaked surge protectors.
Discard any medications that have been exposed to water or temperature extremes.
For more information, read “Kovels’ Dealing with Disaster.” To order, go to www.kovels.com and click on the “Dealing with Disaster” link. Check our site next week for more information on dealing with flooding.
Antiques and collectibles experts Ralph and Terry Kovel are long-time collectors. Their country-store basement flooded a few years ago, an experience that led to the advice they offer in their special report, “Dealing with Disaster.” The Kovels have written more than 90 books on collecting, including the best-selling annual KOVELS’ ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES PRICE LIST. The Kovels also write a nationally syndicated newspaper column and a subscription-based newsletter and have appeared in “Flea Market Finds with the Kovels on HGTV (Home and Garden Television).
