Cleaning up in the aftermath of a disaster

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The devastation in Florida this morning could happen just about anywhere. Here's what you need to do right away if you find yourself in an emergency situation.

First, take stock of your situation.

If you smell gas or hear a hissing or blowing sound, open a window and leave immediately. Carefully inspect the outside of your home, checking for loose power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage.

Turn off the main gas valve from the outside, if you can. Do not smoke or use oil, gas lanterns, candles, or torches for lighting inside a damaged home until you are sure there is no leaking gas or other flammable materials present. Keep a battery-powered radio nearby.

Call your insurance agent pronto.

The sooner you pick up the phone, the better chance you'll have of getting financial help to rebuild or repair.

Compile a room-by-room inventory of missing or damaged goods, and if you can, include manufacturer's names, dates and places of purchases, and prices. You'll want to take as many pictures as you can of the damage.

Clean up safely.

Have an electrician check the house's electrical system before turning the power on again. If you have to leave and return, open doors and windows to let the house air out for awhile (at least 30 minutes) before you stay for any length of time.

Mold is a big problem if you have flooding in your home from rain driven by the high winds. Use fans and dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture. Fans should be placed at a window or door to blow the air outwards rather than inwards, so not to spread the mold.

And if you haven't been affected by the storm, this is a good time to take precautions now in case disaster strikes. Figure out a meeting place for your family and designate someone who lives outside the area as your main contact.

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