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Article Series: Hurricanes
Hurricane Facts, Tips and Safety Protocols
Health
and Safety Procedures After a Hurricane
If you live in a hurricane prone area, you probably know
what to do ahead of the storm. After all, there is plenty
of literature available that will help you and your family
to put together a family preparedness plan, a survival
kit, and anything else that will help you to get ready
for the storms that may come knocking this season. There
is decidedly less information available that deals with
the proper behavior to have during a storm. In part,
this is due to the fact that each storm is different,
and there really are no hard and fast rules.
Yet what
about the behavior each survivor should exhibit after the
storm? Once the clouds are cleared out, the sky is once
again blue, the rain has stopped, and the twisters are gone,
what should you do? Are there certain things you should not
do? Here are some safety and health procedures to follow after
the hurricane is over.
First and foremost, do
not leave your safe room of shelter until you receive an
official go ahead. After all, perhaps
you are simply experiencing the relative calm of the storm
that is associated with the eye of the storm, rather than the
end of the storm itself. To this end, your battery operated
radio will be your best bet for information.
Once you are given the okay to go outside, do so with extreme
caution. Remember that the storm has probably picked up debris
and sometimes even heavy items and simply deposited them at
random all over the landscape. You may have some things precariously
balanced on your roof or in the trees near your home. So be
sure to look up!
Similarly, the storm may have damaged the trees surrounding
you. Maybe there are tree limbs that are hanging on barely,
or trees that may fall over at the slightest provocation. Be
aware of the state your landscape is in.
Of course, you also want to look
down. Are there downed power
lines that have fallen on your property? If you see any lines
– it does not matter if they are phone lines, power lines,
or any other kind of utility line – stay away from them and
instruct your children to do the same! If these lines are touching
puddles of water, stay away from these puddles as well. Water
is a conductor for electricity, and if you get in contact with
a puddle that has a power line in it, you may get electrocuted.
Stay
away from rushing waters. Flooding will be a problem
for a while, and the fast-running waters are strong enough
to sweep you off your feet and drag you to deeper waters. Instruct
your children to stay away from them as well.
If
you are returning to your home and find it flooded, but you
will be able to do some clean up, do so cautiously. Some
animals, such as snakes and even alligators, may be in the
water and you will need to be on the lookout for them. In addition,
the water may also be contaminated with raw sewage and other
illness causing objects, and it is important
to thoroughly wash yourself after you have gotten in contact
with the flood waters.
Even though you might be tempted to light a fire in your charcoal
grill inside your home to stay warm, do not do it! You may
get exposed to carbon monoxide which will kill you.
As you can see, the proper behavior in the aftermath of a
storm is just as important as the preparation before the storm.
Do use common sense, and make sure you are aware of the dangers
around you before you venture out of your home.
Emergencies and disasters can happen anytime, anywhere without warning. Protect yourself and your family. Click to see valuable emergency preparedness supplies and information. Be ready. Be prepared. I love this website. It's my SolveYourProblem recommendation.
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by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2007
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