How to Stay Safe After a Storm Has Passed
When you are in the path of a hurricane or other kind of storm, right now is what matters most. However, it’s important to remember that after the storm passes, there are risks and dangers present too. Once a severe storm has passed, some immediate concerns include structural safety, fire hazards, carbon monoxide hazards, protection from mosquitos, food and water safety, and cleanup activities. Here are some safety tips to consider to keep yourself and your loved ones safe after a hurricane.
Check for Immediate Danger
It is best to remain inside for around thirty minutes after you hear the final sounds of the storm to ensure that it is over, and you are safe to go outside. Once you are outside safely you should check any problems that might cause an immediate safety risk to you or others in the area such as broken tree branches or downed power lines. If you notice that power lines have been knocked down, stay away from them and call your local electricity provider to report the problem as soon as possible.
Contact Storm Damage Professionals
After a severe storm, there will often be a lot of serious damage to properties. Once the storm has passed and you and your family are safe, one of the first things that you need to do is take action to ensure that any damage to your property does not get any worse, and that the building is made safe. Immediate action is often needed to reduce the risk and prevent any further damage when your property has experienced damage to the roof and structure, windows, or if there has been a power outage. Visit https://ncricat.com/services/storm-damage/ to get access to a network of disaster recovery resources that can help.
Avoid Driving Through Floods
After a storm, it is not unlikely for roads to be flooded. It’s important to avoid driving through flooded roads, even if you want to get out of the area and to somewhere safe, as there is a risk that your vehicle will break down or even be swept away if the flooding is particularly severe.
Use Tap Water with Caution
Hurricanes can cause contamination to the public water supply, especially in the event of flooding or tidal surge. Listen to local media announcements before drinking any tap water to find out if it is safe to use. Follow any instructions that are given for using tap water safely. If you are not sure whether or not the water is safe to use, boil the water for one minute before using it for anything.
Be Aware of Building Hazards
A hurricane or other severe storm can lead to possible structural hazards in your home and other buildings that can make them dangerous to be in. It’s also important to be aware of any electrical or gas hazards that may have been a result of the hurricane before you try to do anything like switch on lights or use the gas supply to boil water. If you are safe and not injured, then it’s best to wait until disaster recovery teams arrive to assess the property; stay outside if you can to stay safe. If water has got near to any electrical equipment or electrical circuits, turn off the power at the main fuse or breaker and use flashlights and battery-powered lanterns instead.
Protect Yourself from Mosquitos
There are often lots of mosquitos present after a storm, so take steps to protect yourself from them. If you can, change into clothing that has long sleeves and long legs, to ensure that your body is protected by clothing as much as possible. You can also use insect repellents containing DEET.
Cleanup and Bacteria Growth Prevention
To prevent the growth of some bacteria, mold, mildew and viruses that might lead to illness after a storm, it’s important to focus on how you clean up. Before you start working on your property to repair any damage that has been caused, it’s important to thoroughly disinfect it and allow the building and its contents to completely dry out.
Check Your Food
Food can also become contaminated during a hurricane. This might be due to the fact that the food has been touched by the flood water, or it has become unsafe to eat due to a power loss that has caused your refrigerator or freezer to stop working correctly. It is best to throw any such food away.
The immediate aftermath of a storm can often pose as many hazards as the storm itself. It’s important to know what to do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.