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One of the important things learned from natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina is the need to include your pets in the family’s emergency disaster plan. Images of homeowners who would not evacuate their homes because they did not want to leave a pet behind and those of abandoned pets still cause animal lovers and pet owners to cringe and wish they could have done something to help. The time to help protect your pets is now, before a disaster happens.

The Pine River Cheese and Butter Co-op suffered major fire damage after a September 7, 2010 blaze broke out in the northwest corner of the building, causing smoke and water damage throughout the facility. As a result, the food processing facility will be closed during the remediation process. The cause of the fire is unknown.

Gutters are one the homes most neglected accessories, but one of the cheapest defenses against water damage, mold, mildew and problems with a home’s foundation. When gutters are not well maintained, however, rainwater and debris can collect on your roof. If the situation is not remedied quickly, water can seep through roofing materials and cause major water damage.

If your home or office building was affected by recent water damage, such as floods, you may not be done with the cleanup process even though the water may appear to be gone. Anything that got wet must be completely dried to prevent structural damage and mold.

Smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a fire in half. According to the National Fire Protection Association, two-third of fire-related deaths occurred in a home that did not have a smoke alarm or a working smoke alarm.