If you were lucky this time, save this expert advice on how to address home repairs and other storm-related problems. The hurricane season isn't over.

If you did take a hit, perhaps your solution is here.

INSURANCE

* Call your agent.

* Take photographs of the damage.

* Keep receipts if you must stay in a hotel or buy boards, tarpaulins or other home repair materials. These expenses may be covered by your insurance.

FOOD

You can't tell by look or smell whether food has spoiled. Most experts say perishable foods are safe for only two hours at room temperature.

If you lose electricity, food usually stays cold in a refrigerator for four to six hours. However, if the room is quite warm, food could spoil faster.

Some thawed foods can be refrozen if they still have ice crystals or if they have been kept at 40 degrees or lower for no more than two days. If the temperature is above 50, throw the food away.

Thawed foods and frozen dinners that are cold but have no ice crystals should be cooked immediately. Toss the food if there's an offensive or questionable odor.

Don't drink tap water until there's an official all-clear.

GETTING HELP FOR YOUR HOME

When checking your home or business for damages, watch out for fallen power lines, standing water that may be electrically charged and wild animals driven into the open. Plumbing * Exposed polyvinyl pipe is vulnerable in high winds when flying debris can break it. Check pipes on well pumps and irrigation systems.

* If you need to turn off your water, locate the meter - usually in the ground near the street - and remove the lid. You will see a valve you can turn with a wrench or water key. Shut-off valves for specific areas are near toilets and under sinks.

* If sewage is backing up in the shower or under the toilet it means your whole system is backed up. Don't make the problem worse by using other sinks or toilets.

* If you hire a plumber, expect to see a state or county license number on the vehicle. It's the law.

Roofing * If the neighbor's roof is missing shingles, yours probably is, too.

If only a few are gone, try covering the area with a garbage bag. Slide one edge of the bag under the shingles about two rows above the affected portion and secure the other edge two rows below. Or, caulk the exposed nailheads: Water gets in by running down the nails.

* If you have a large area of ripped tar paper or wood, cover it with a tarpaulin and call a roofer quickly.

* Be sure the roofer has Workers' Compensation insurance - he should have a card showing the carrier - and a business license. If the roofer does not have insurance and gets injured on the job, you will be fined and be responsible for medical bills.

* Seek roofer recommendations from the municipal building department or major roofing supplies stores.

Electric

* Most damage to electrical systems comes from water. Appliances exposed to water should be serviced before being used.

* Check for sparks or frayed wires. If you have any structural damage or wires have been exposed, call an electrician. Don't turn the power on: You could energize standing water and electrocute yourself.

* Breaker boxes are supposedly rain-tight, but may not withstand a hurricane. If you suspect water has infiltrated the box, call an electrician before turning on the breaker.

* Avoid fallen or dangling utility wires and metal fences, which may carry a charge. If a limb or tree has fallen on a power line, turn off the power and call the utility company. It is responsible for removing the limb at no charge.

If the limb touches your property, it becomes your responsibility. Call an electrician. Do not attempt to cut or clear fallen trees. They may be tangled in power lines.

* Expect to see a county or state license number on the electrician's work vehicle. It's the law.

SCAM ALERT

* Don't pay for work until it is finished and you are satisfied. If a reasonable down payment is required, get a written contract detailing all the work to be performed, costs, completion date, quality of materials, warranties, start and finish dates, and who will be responsible for clean-up and trash removal.

* Avoid paying with cash; Use a check or a credit card.

* Beware of a contractor who tries to rush you or comes to your home offering assistance. If an offer is only good ``now or never,'' find someone else.

* Obtain three written estimates for the work and compare bids.

* Beware of charity scams that might use a storm to make pleas for donations more plausible.

AUTOMOBILES

* Notify your insurance agent of any damage.

* If the interior has been flooded, don't try to start the car. It could cause more damage.

* Cover broken windows if the car appears salvageable.

* List valuables in your car that have been washed out or damaged. Some insurance covers these losses.

FLOODING * Floodwaters may contain contaminants such as sewage, oil and pesticides. Wear gloves, goggles and a mask.

* If the room is soaked, check whether you're insured for water extraction. If a restoration company can't come quickly, you need to minimize the damage. Pump or squeegee out the standing water. Use a vacuum only if it's a true wet-dry vacuum. Remove carpeting, carpet padding, furniture and draperies. Then use air movers and dehumidifiers to dry out the space.

* Throw away all foods, even canned goods, if they have been submerged in floodwaters. This also applies to medicines and cosmetics.

* Look for hidden moisture, such as in drywall, and take out damaged portions to avoid mold.

* Disinfect floors and cabinets by washing them with detergent, then a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water.

* Keep a photographic (or video) inventory of anything you must throw out.

* Don't take pets into a storm area until you're sure it's safe for them to walk there. Don't let them drink standing water.

FIRING UP THE CHAIN SAW

* Felling a dead or broken tree or clearing away a large downed tree can be dangerous. Consider calling a professional.

* Be careful of young trees that other trees have fallen on. They act like spring poles and may propel the chain saw back into your leg.

* Walk only with the chain saw engine off.

* Do not use a chain saw when you are on a ladder or in a tree.

* When felling a tree, keep everyone at least two tree lengths away. For yourself, plan a clear escape route at a 45-degree angle from the direction the tree is expected to fall.

CRITTER WATCH * Heavy rains may drive raccoons, possums, snakes, rats and alligators to higher ground - like the inside of your house. Raccoons, squirrels and rats like attics. Possums go for garages or sheds.

* If a nonvenomous snake gets into your home, put on a glove, pick up the snake and release it outdoors.

To identify a snake, you can visit a Web site such as www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/ herpetology/fl-guide/venomsnk.htm. www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/ herpetology/fl-guide/venomsnk.htm.

Try trapping the snake by placing strips of duct tape, sticky side up, on the floor.

Or look in the Yellow Pages under ``Animals-Pests-Trappers'' for help.

* Use traps to catch rodents indoors. Rat poison may pose a threat to children and pets and the poisoned rodent could die in a wall. Traps are sold at home improvement and pest control stores.

POOL TIPS

* Lower the water level if necessary, but be careful. Too low and your pool could pop out of the ground.

* Check the water's pH. Typically, after a good rain, you should add a half-gallon of muriatic acid.

* The bacteria in your pool water will probably be high. Add a 2.5-gallon jug of chlorine, or one packet of granular chlorine for every 10,000 gallons of water.

* If the pool pump was submerged by floodwater and the breaker was left on, you will likely need a replacement.

* Check your pool deck for erosion.

* If your pool has heavy debris, saltwater or glass in it, have a professional drain the pool and refill it.

IF YOU CAN HELP OTHERS * Metropolitan Ministries needs nonperishable foods, cleaning materials and volunteers to help clean damaged homes. Donations can be dropped off at 2010 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. Call (813) 209-1000.

* The American Red Cross prefers donations of money because given items may not meet rapidly changing needs. It also needs volunteers. Donate by calling 1-800-435-7669.

* The Salvation Army requests only monetary help now so needed items can be purchased. To donate, call 1-800-725-2769. WHO TO CALL Emergency Management * Hillsborough County: www.hillsboroughcounty.org; (813) 272-6900

* Pinellas County: www.pinellascounty.org; (727) 464-4333

* Pasco County: www.pascocountyfl.net; New Port Richey (727) 847-8959 and Dade City (352) 521-5137

* Polk County: www.polk- county.net/; (863) 534-0321

* Hernando County: www.hernando.fl.us/em; (352) 754-4083

Utilities * Tampa Electric Co.: Hillsborough County customers call (813) 223-0800; customers outside of Hillsborough call 1-888-223-0800.

* Progress Energy: For downed lines and outages call 1-800-228-8485.

Emergency Response American Red Cross:

* Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties: (877) 741-1444

* Polk County: (863) 534-0321

* Hernando County: (352) 754-4083 or (866) 245-9180

Price-Gouging * To report price-gouging call (800) 357-4273

Sources: Nicole Niemi of AAA; Bill O'Hara of Heaberlin Roofing; Randee Steinacker of Elite Pool & Spa; Jim Manning, United Pool Spa Association; David Carrow of Critter Control; Johnny Felicione of Expert Wildlife and Animal Removal Specialists; Tom Hagerty of State Farm Insurance; Peter Duncanson of ServiceMaster Clean; Jerry Burns of Burns InStar Services Group; Jim Ingold of Paul Davis Restoration; Robert Dietz of A B &T Cleaning and Restoration Services, Inc.; American Red Cross.

B.C. Manion, Cloe Cabrera and Penny Carnathan, Jody Habayeb