OT-Post Hurricane Precautions

[ricki]

and -



After A Hurricane
Remain indoors until the official “all clear” is given. Continue to monitor television and/or radio on your battery-powered unit. Channel 7 News, 97.3 - The COAST and WPYM 93.1 will be issuing official announcements from the National Hurricane Center and all local officials.

If you have evacuated, do not return home until officials announce your area is ready. Be sure to have proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or a utility bill.

Telephone communication: Do not use your telephone unless you have an emergency. Do not call 911 except for life-threatening situations. Do not report individual interruptions in electric, gas, water or telephone service. These companies have plans to restore service as quickly as possible. However, call police or utility companies to report downed power lines, broken gas or water mains. Report individual trouble only after service has been generally restored to your area.

Boil-water order: Water supplies may be contaminated during a hurricane. The Public Health Department will issue a boil-water order immediately after the hurricane passes. The order will remain in effect for at least 72 hours or longer. During this time, use only your pre-stored, dry or canned food.

Avoid injuries: Many injuries occur after the storm passes. Careless equipment use causes the greatest number of post-storm injuries. Be careful with open flames. Avoid carbon monoxide injuries by using hibachis and gas grills outside, never inside your house. When cutting fallen trees, be extremely careful, especially if you are using a chainsaw. Serious injuries can occur when these powerful machines snap back or when the chain breaks.

Portable power generators: Connecting a portable or recreational vehicle (RV) generator to home wiring can injure utility workers and is a fire hazard. Before using an RV or portable generator, it is important to turn off the electricity at your main circuit breaker or fuse box. Disconnect portable generators before turning on power to your home. A portable generator should be operated OUTSIDE the house (you can then run a heavy duty, properly grounded extension cord to power your electrical appliances).

Electrical safety after a hurricane: Do not touch fallen or low-hanging wires of any kind under any circumstances. A wire that seems harmless could be crossed with a live wire. Treat every power line you see as deadly. Whether it’s on the ground, hanging loose or attached to an object--do not touch it. Stay away from puddles with fallen wires in them. Call FPL immediately to report hazards such as downed power lines.


http://www2.wsvn.com/hurricane/after/