Your
school isn't just a business site. It's also a community and a place
to help the next generation grow to maturity. And when a disaster
strikes that school, it has unique needs in order to get it back up
and running. To best meet those needs, professional restoration
assistance is vital — perhaps even more so than in other affected
locations. Why? Here are a few key reasons to hire professional help
after a disaster.
1.
Mold Causes Serious Health Problems
Many
types of disasters — not just flooding — can cause mold issues.
After a fire, moisture can easily be trapped in walls, flooring, and
furniture. Storms may damage the roof and break windows, causing wind
and rain to damage the interior of the building in unexpected ways.
Damp
locations and growing mold or fungi may cause respiratory issues
ranging from coughing and wheezing to asthma to allergic responses.
To avoid placing your students at unnecessary risk, you need to raise
a professional response to any emergency that may involve dampness on
any level.
2.
Kids Are at Particular Risk
Children's
minds and bodies are still developing. That often means they are more
vulnerable to lingering health risks after an emergency.
Smoke
and ash, for instance, quickly seeps into walls and furnishings and
becomes trapped in the air. It will then cause respiratory issues and
serve as an irritant to the skin, eyes, mouth, and nose. Children who
already have a higher incidence of asthma or allergies and who
breathe in more air per pound are more at risk than the adults around
them.
Unfortunately,
their young age also makes protecting themselves harder. While an
adult might quickly realize that their asthma is triggered by being
in certain areas and prompt an investigation, children are much less
likely to reach those same conclusions as quickly. The safest path is
to do the work for them and remove those potential problems.
3.
Your Community Needs the School
Being
involved in a serious disaster can affect children's view of the
world for years to come. One of the best things that anyone can do to
help them deal with and recover from such a trauma is to get them
back to school. Why?
First,
returning to school is a return to normality. Kids generally benefit
from a good routine and familiar places — and never more so than
when they have weathered a large upset. And parents often need kids
to be in safe hands at school if they must deal with any
disaster-related issues themselves.
Secondly,
the school is able to provide professionals who are trained to help
children with what they face. This may include teachers and
experienced administrators, but it often includes child
psychologists, counselors, therapists, and social workers. If the
school, is not functioning, though, you cannot help the students.
4.
You Can't Afford Liability Risks
Any
business that employees people and has customers carries some level
of liability risk. But when that business has minors on-site, those
risks multiply. Parents are focused on their child's safety and will
be intolerant of cutting corners in recovery.
Schools
also have to contend with public perception. Your reputation is a
large part of what keeps families enrolled at your school. So any
damage to the public perception — such as by exposing children to
un-repaired damage or unsafe infrastructure — may cost your school
thousands of dollars and future enrollment.
Clearly,
a school has additional responsibilities due to its unique service to
families. If your school has experienced any kind of disaster, act
quickly for the best recovery. Call the professionals at C&Z
Construction today.
