Article: You know how forest animals like deer and mountain lions can move through the woods without causing a stir? People, on the other hand, tend to tromp noisily through the woods, alerting others to their presence from half a mile away. The key to moving like an animal is to be tuned in with your environment. Be aware of the terrain through which you're moving, and try to flow with it instead of moving against it. Notice your surroundings. If there's a low-hanging branch up ahead, carefully crouch under it instead of blazing through and causing the leaves to rustle. Walk where there's cover. Whether you're walking through trees, buildings or furniture, stay close to cover, like an animal would. Don't walk in open areas where it's easy for you to be seen. Have steady movements. Think of the way a cat moves when stalking its prey. Move your body in a steady rhythm so that the sounds you make are steady, too. Random sounds will be more noticeable. Go on stealth runs and practice moving as quietly and unnoticeably as possible. Don't worry about how fast you're going. When you crouch close to the ground, you exert less force with each footstep, making it possible for you to walk almost soundlessly. Practice walking in a crouched position, absorbing the weight of your body with your knees. Engage all of your muscles. Stepping down with your heel first usually produces a "thud" that others can hear. It also prevents you from being able to crouch easily and distribute your weight evenly across your body. Walk toe first so you can move quietly and fluidly over any terrain. This will feel unnatural at first, so it's important to practice often before you have to put your stealthy moves to the test. You can run toe first, too. It's easier to do this barefoot or with minimalist shoes that don't have a lot of cushioning. Your body will naturally tend to lead with the balls of your feet rather than striking the ground forcefully with your heels. When you're trying to be stealthy, walking the straightest line from point A to point B isn't always the best idea. Consider what path will get you where you need to go with the least chance of being seen or heard. Look for a way to get there without crossing someone else's path, spending too much time out in the open, or stepping on things that might make noise. If you're in a forest, walk along game trails or dirt paths mostly clear of leaves and sticks. Watch out for puddles, gravel, rustling bushes, and crackly sticks. If you're on city streets, edge along buildings and weave through alleys. Cross the street with large crowds of people. Avoid gravel, metal grates, and wooden boardwalks, which tend to be loud. Avoid areas where your footsteps might produce an echo, like tunnels and underpasses. If you're indoors, weave through large items of furniture. Stay out of rooms that have a lot of clutter. Take back entrances instead of front doors. Choose carpeted rooms and staircases instead of hardwood floors and stairs. If you are walking up wooden stairs, try stepping in the middle of the stair at the edge. It's structurally the strongest point on the stair and should reduce creaking to a minimum. Do not follow roads if you are running from a car. This should be obvious, but you would be surprised. If you're following someone from behind or trying to move to a new position without being seen, there will be moments when stillness is your greatest stealthy asset. When it's clear that someone heard you break a twig or graze a piece of furniture, find cover and stay as still as a log. Wait patiently until the person keeps walking and no longer seems aware of your presence, and then take extra care to move quietly to your destination. Breathe slowly and evenly to avoid being heard. Breathe through your nose instead of your mouth. If you're out of breath, try making your throat as wide as possible while remaining comfortable. It may sound strange, but it works. Practice makes perfect. If you're sneaking for the first time, you may be scared of getting caught, which could cause your breathing to quicken. If you feel panicked, try imagining that you're on a beach on a nice, warm, sunny day, or go to another "happy place" in your mind. Stay there until you feel calm. When you need to jump over obstacles like fences or benches, land softly by allowing your whole body to absorb the impact, not just your feet and knees. Land on the balls of your feet and immediately move into a crouch. Look for a landing spot clear of noisy materials like leaves or rocks.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Walk like an animal. Move close to the ground. Walk toe to heel. Flow with the terrain. Know when to be still. Control your breathing. Practice soft landings.
Article: All electrical equipment must be checked and dried before it can be turned on again. If you're not sure if the electricity is off, do not enter your home. The sooner you can talk to your agent, the sooner your claim will be filed. Send your insurance company pictures of everything that has been damaged (both inside and outside of the house). File a "Proof of Loss" form within 60 days of the flood in order to claim your flood insurance. Depending on how serious your flood was and what type of insurance you have, your insurance company might also cover the cost of clean up. Remove all wet contents immediately to prevent mold. If there are any severe issues like holes in your wall or broken windows, patch these with plastic sheets, duct tape, and wood strips. Brace any weak areas or sagging floors with plywood. Pump water out from flooded basements. When pumping water out of your basement, pump out about of the water volume each day to avoid structural damage to your home or basement. Open windows and doors to help the inside dry out as much as possible. If you live somewhere very humid, or the ventilation system isn't working for your home, consider using a dryer or air mover. Make sure your carpets, walls, ceilings, and floors are dry as quickly as possible. A recovery plan is a list of jobs that need to be done in order to get your house repaired after the flood. Planning can help you save time and money, and it can also put you back on track. When creating a recovery plan, be mindful of what you can and can't do, and don't push yourself too far or too fast. Depending on the scope and damage of the flood, your community might be eligible for state, provincial, or federal aid. Search online to discover if any funds have been freed up to assist victims in your flood area. Parse your home into manageable chunks and work your way through it. Start each room in the corner that received the most damage, and work your way out from there. Use a disinfectant spray to clean any surfaces that came in contact with water and wash clothing and bedding with hot water. Be patient, and trust that, with time and work, your home will improve.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Keep power off until an electrician can inspect your home. Contact your insurance company ASAP. Address immediate problems. Ventilate and dry your home. Create a recovery plan. Seek government emergency funding through DisasterAssistance.gov. Tackle one room at a time.