Check your Brooklyn New York Home after Earthquake

Brooklyn New York Experiences Earthquake 2011

I was working in my office,( Fillmore Real Estate ) in Brooklyn New York when I felt my first earthquake!  News reports are still coming in, but the reports are the earthquake started in Virginia and has been felt up and down the East Coast.  News reporters are saying the magnitude of this earthquake is 5.8 which is very unusual for Brooklyn New York.

I asked myself ,what should I to do after an earthquake comes to your Brooklyn home.  Here are a few initial things you might want to to do after you make sure everyone in your household is safe:

•   Inspect gas lines
Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor’s home.  If you turn off the gas yourself, it should be turned back on by a professional.

•  Look for electrical system damage
If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker.


•  Clean up
Make sure to clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable or potentially toxic liquids immediately. Make sure to leave your home if you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals.


•  Inspect your chimney
Look at the entire length of chimneys for damage. Unnoticed damage could lead to a fire.  If you aren’t sure, get a licensed chimney sweep company out prior to using the chimney.

•  Check for sewage and water lines damage
If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, call a plumber and avoid using the toilets.  If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from your tap.  Drink bottled water or melt ice cubes until you have a pro check it out .


•  Open cabinets cautiously Beware of objects that can fall off shelves.

Get additional tips from FEMA

If you need help determining if now is the best time to sell your Brooklyn home, call Charles D’Alessandro Your Brooklyn Realtor® with Fillmore Real Estate at 718/253-9600 ext 206 or email me at [email protected],

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