The recovery and clean up after a natural disaster is tedious, slow, and depressing. After a family has lost valuables, furniture, clothing, and irreplaceable items it still must go on with daily living. It is important to remember that safety, during the clean up, should be your primary concern. Avoid low hanging wires and anything touching them. If traffic lights are down, treat every intersection as a four-way stop. Ventilate areas where charcoal or wood ( or anything) is being burned in order to prevent build up of carbon monoxide. Never pick up debris with your bare hands. Bugs, snakes, or other small animals may be seeking shelter there. Wear gloves, long pants, and a shirt or a jacket with sleeves for clean up work. Use rakes and shovels. Check all food for spoilage before eating. Drink only bottled or disinfected water. Water from a faucet may be contaminated.