When a basement floods, it can be a distressing experience. The water can damage your belongings, your home’s structure, and even your health. That’s why it’s important to take action quickly and safely to clean up the mess.
## Safety Measures
* **Turn off the electricity.** Before you do anything else, turn off the electricity to your basement. This will help prevent electrical shocks and fires.
* **Put on protective gear.** Wear gloves, a mask, and goggles to protect yourself from contaminated water and debris.
* **Ventilate the area.** Open windows and doors to air out the basement. This will help remove harmful fumes.
* **Call your insurance company.** Report the flood to your insurance company as soon as possible. They will be able to help you file a claim and get your basement back to normal.
## Initial Steps
* **Remove standing water.** Use a pump or wet/dry vacuum to remove standing water from your basement.
* **Clean up debris.** Remove any debris from your basement, including furniture, appliances, and personal belongings.
* **Dry out the basement.** Use fans and dehumidifiers to dry out the basement.
* **Disinfect the area.** Once the basement is dry, disinfect it with a bleach solution to kill any bacteria or mold.
* **Restore your belongings.** If possible, restore your belongings to their original condition.
## What is the first thing to do when basement floods?
The first thing to do when your basement floods is to turn off the electricity and put on protective gear. Then, ventilate the area and call your insurance company. Once you have done these things, you can begin to remove the standing water and clean up the debris.