What to Do NOW, Before a Storm/And AFTER!
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What to Do NOW, Before a Storm/And AFTER!
by Boats Tue May 19, 2009 5:50 am
What to Do NOW, Before a Storm/And AFTER!
The best way to protect your family against potential weather disasters and emergency situations is to be prepared. Here's what you can do.
Compile a disaster supply kit.
Ensure your family KNOWS the following:
Where/what is your "safe room" (basement or interior room)
Where will you meet if separated?
Who is your out of town contact?
Where your Disaster Supply Kits are located
Take pictures or videos of your home contents for insurance purposes and store at a friend's or relative's house. (Having more than one copy is advisable)
Locate gas and water shut-off valves. (And know how to shut them off!)
Get cash (without power, credit cards are unusable).
Fill up the gas tank in your vehicle. (And keep an extra 10 gallons on hand in case of evacuation)
Plan for your pets:
Contact emergency shelters to find out if they accept pets.
Make sure vaccinations are up-to-date.
Listen to emergency announcements and follow directions.
What to Do AFTER a Storm
Call your out-of-town contact or other family members to let them know you are OK.
Listen to emergency announcements:
Wait for "all clear" to know it is safe to return home.
Check for damage in your home.
Contact your insurance provider to report any damages.
Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasolines, and other flammable liquids immediately.
Do not enter a building if you smell gas. Call 911. Do not light a match or turn on lights.
Wear waterproof boots and gloves to avoid floodwater touching your skin.
Wash your hands often with soap and clean water, or use a hand-cleaning gel with alcohol in it.
Avoid tetanus and other infections by getting medical attention for a dirty cut or deep puncture wound.
Clean Your Home and Stop Mold
Take out items that have soaked up water and that cannot be cleaned and dried.
Fix water leaks. Use fans and dehumidifiers and open doors and windows to remove moisture.
To remove mold, mix 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water, wash the item with the bleach mixture, scrub rough surfaces with a stiff brush, rinse the item with clean water, then dry it or leave it to dry.
Check and clean heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems before use.
To clean hard surfaces that do not soak up water and that may have been in contact with floodwater, first wash with soap and clean water. Next disinfect with a mixture of 1 cup of bleach in 5 gallons of water. Then allow to air dry.
Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles when cleaning with bleach. Open windows and doors to get fresh air. Never mix bleach and ammonia. The fumes from the mixture could kill you.
Protect Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Do not use generators, pressure washers, charcoal grills, camp stoves, or other fuel-burning devices indoors or in enclosed or partially enclosed areas such as garages, even with doors or windows open. Do not put these devices outside near an open door, window, or air vent. You could be poisoned or killed by carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless gas from burning fuel such as gasoline, charcoal, or propane.
Keep Drinking Water and Food Safe
Listen to public announcements to find out if local tap water is safe for drinking, cooking, cleaning, or bathing. Until the water is safe, use bottled water or boil or disinfect water.
If a "boil water" advisory is in effect, do not drink tap water or use it to brush your teeth unless water has come to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute or is treated with unscented household chlorine bleach (add 1/4 teaspoon bleach to 1 gallon of cloudy water, 1/8 teaspoon bleach to 1 gallon of clear water).
Do not eat food that smells bad, looks bad, or has touched floodwater. When in doubt, throw food out.
Prevent Electrical Injuries
Do not touch fallen electrical wires. They may be live and could hurt or kill you.
Turn off the electrical power at the main source if there is standing water. Do not turn on power or use an electric tool or appliance while standing in water.
Avoid Contact with Animals and Insects
Reduce mosquito bites. Consider avoiding outdoor activities during the evening and early morning, which are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Use an insect repellent with DEET or Picaridin.
Stay away from wild or stray animals. Stray dogs may be hurt or afraid and may bite. Call local authorities to handle animals.
Get rid of dead animals according to local guidelines.
Drive Safely
Stop and look both ways at all intersections. Drive slowly and keep space between you and other vehicles. Watch out for trash on the road.
Wear your seatbelt.
Do not drive if you have been drinking.
If you have pets:
Confine your pets during the clean-up period.
Walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home.
If pets cannot be found; contact local animal control office.
Check on your neighbors, especially elderly or disabled persons.
Repair or block access to anything in your home that is damaged and could cause injuries.
Stay away from downed power lines.
THINK BEFORE YOU ACT! The life you save could be your own!
The best way to protect your family against potential weather disasters and emergency situations is to be prepared. Here's what you can do.
Compile a disaster supply kit.
Ensure your family KNOWS the following:
Where/what is your "safe room" (basement or interior room)
Where will you meet if separated?
Who is your out of town contact?
Where your Disaster Supply Kits are located
Take pictures or videos of your home contents for insurance purposes and store at a friend's or relative's house. (Having more than one copy is advisable)
Locate gas and water shut-off valves. (And know how to shut them off!)
Get cash (without power, credit cards are unusable).
Fill up the gas tank in your vehicle. (And keep an extra 10 gallons on hand in case of evacuation)
Plan for your pets:
Contact emergency shelters to find out if they accept pets.
Make sure vaccinations are up-to-date.
Listen to emergency announcements and follow directions.
What to Do AFTER a Storm
Call your out-of-town contact or other family members to let them know you are OK.
Listen to emergency announcements:
Wait for "all clear" to know it is safe to return home.
Check for damage in your home.
Contact your insurance provider to report any damages.
Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasolines, and other flammable liquids immediately.
Do not enter a building if you smell gas. Call 911. Do not light a match or turn on lights.
Wear waterproof boots and gloves to avoid floodwater touching your skin.
Wash your hands often with soap and clean water, or use a hand-cleaning gel with alcohol in it.
Avoid tetanus and other infections by getting medical attention for a dirty cut or deep puncture wound.
Clean Your Home and Stop Mold
Take out items that have soaked up water and that cannot be cleaned and dried.
Fix water leaks. Use fans and dehumidifiers and open doors and windows to remove moisture.
To remove mold, mix 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water, wash the item with the bleach mixture, scrub rough surfaces with a stiff brush, rinse the item with clean water, then dry it or leave it to dry.
Check and clean heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems before use.
To clean hard surfaces that do not soak up water and that may have been in contact with floodwater, first wash with soap and clean water. Next disinfect with a mixture of 1 cup of bleach in 5 gallons of water. Then allow to air dry.
Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles when cleaning with bleach. Open windows and doors to get fresh air. Never mix bleach and ammonia. The fumes from the mixture could kill you.
Protect Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Do not use generators, pressure washers, charcoal grills, camp stoves, or other fuel-burning devices indoors or in enclosed or partially enclosed areas such as garages, even with doors or windows open. Do not put these devices outside near an open door, window, or air vent. You could be poisoned or killed by carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless gas from burning fuel such as gasoline, charcoal, or propane.
Keep Drinking Water and Food Safe
Listen to public announcements to find out if local tap water is safe for drinking, cooking, cleaning, or bathing. Until the water is safe, use bottled water or boil or disinfect water.
If a "boil water" advisory is in effect, do not drink tap water or use it to brush your teeth unless water has come to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute or is treated with unscented household chlorine bleach (add 1/4 teaspoon bleach to 1 gallon of cloudy water, 1/8 teaspoon bleach to 1 gallon of clear water).
Do not eat food that smells bad, looks bad, or has touched floodwater. When in doubt, throw food out.
Prevent Electrical Injuries
Do not touch fallen electrical wires. They may be live and could hurt or kill you.
Turn off the electrical power at the main source if there is standing water. Do not turn on power or use an electric tool or appliance while standing in water.
Avoid Contact with Animals and Insects
Reduce mosquito bites. Consider avoiding outdoor activities during the evening and early morning, which are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Use an insect repellent with DEET or Picaridin.
Stay away from wild or stray animals. Stray dogs may be hurt or afraid and may bite. Call local authorities to handle animals.
Get rid of dead animals according to local guidelines.
Drive Safely
Stop and look both ways at all intersections. Drive slowly and keep space between you and other vehicles. Watch out for trash on the road.
Wear your seatbelt.
Do not drive if you have been drinking.
If you have pets:
Confine your pets during the clean-up period.
Walk pets on a leash until they become re-oriented to their home.
If pets cannot be found; contact local animal control office.
Check on your neighbors, especially elderly or disabled persons.
Repair or block access to anything in your home that is damaged and could cause injuries.
Stay away from downed power lines.
THINK BEFORE YOU ACT! The life you save could be your own!
Boats- Posts : 22
Points : 28034
Reputation : 1
Join date : 2009-05-07
Age : 55
Location : South Alabama
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