Number one your list is to locate all your family and animals that were in the home, do you have everyone? Is anyone missing, is everyone accounted for?

Is anyone hurt or injured, do you need to get medical help? Who has had their tetanus shots? Do you need to get refills on any medication? Work through the medical issues first, remember the clean up can wait a little bit, medical issues can not, start with health and medical first.

Second, think communication; cell phones or landlines do you have service? Can you get in contact with family and friends? Can you dial out? Being able to get help from the outside world will prove to be invaluable, in times of great need.

O.K. your family is not hurt, no ones is injured and you have all your medical issues resolved. The really important items are health and family, property can be replaced,

Again make sure no one is hurt-you do not need a Doctor?

Now you can turn to living accommodations, food, shelter, drinking water, a place to clean-up.

Inspect your property only after you determine that it is safe to enter. Gas and power lines are safely out of the way, with no leaks or downed electrical lines. If you're not sure get a hold of the utilities to confirm that everything is safe.

Now with safety behind you think about your property, can you stay there? Do you have power? Do you have electricity? Is it safe to stay there? Can you store food there? Will your family be safe there?

Remember that you need a safe and clean place to work from, a place where you can sleep, eat and relax.

If your property is too damaged from flood waters or has sustained too much , think about relocating to a safer place. This may seem overwhelming at a time like this, but it's for the better.

It's often the little things that we take for granted. Now is the time to think about them.

Keep in mind, safety, shelter and medical. In future articles we will discuss the steps necessary to dryout and repair your home.