After the Storm Has Passed

The storm has gone through and it’s time to assess the damage. Hopefully you have stored enough batteries to keep your radio running if power is out because you’ll want to hear news reports about damage, road closures, power outages and all other emergency instructions. Expect between three to seven days of uncertainty, depending on the storm, so you’ll need to rely upon what you’ve stored for food, water, medications and entertainment.

The stronger the storm, the more severe the damage. If Pinellas County is hit with a category 3, 4 or 5 hurricane, it could be weeks or months before life gets back to normal. Consider these realities in your planning! Also heed the following common-sense safety steps during the recovery.

• Wait for authorities to give word before going outside or returning home. The clear skies and calm winds of the hurricane eye can be deceiving.
• At first, stay off the roads. Emergency vehicles have priority.
• When safe to return home, avoid flooded areas, downed power lines and debris.
• Have valid I.D. with your correct address for security checkpoints.
• Be patient. It may take up to three days for emergency workers to reach your neighborhood; up to a month for utilities to be restored.
• Don’t let children play in flood waters or near storm drains.
• Clean up the most dangerous conditions in your home, such as broken glass. Take photos for insurance purposes.
• Use 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies only – not damages or power outages.
• Watch for downed or dangling utility wires, especially when cutting or clearing debris or walking through standing water.
• Don’t try to help a stranded animal. Call Pinellas County Animal Control, (727) 582-2600.
• Use caution when opening doors, cabinets and closets. Items may have moved around during the storm and could fall and cause injury.
• Sterilize tap water for drinking or cooking with purification tablets.
• Use foods from the refrigerator and the freezer first, non-perishable foods last.

Generator Safety

Those who use a home generator will have limited power during a prolonged
power outage. Use them to keep a refrigerator cold, run a fan, recharge
your cell phone or operate a microwave oven. Portable generators can help
make your storm recovery more comfortable, but they can also kill if not used
correctly. Read instructions carefully and fully understand how to use your
specific generator. Important tips on generator safety:

Carbon Monoxide (CO): A colorless, odorless gas produced when the
generator burns fuel. CO is deadly in very small concentrations.

• Always use generators outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents.
• NEVER use generators in homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, or
  other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation.
• Install battery-operated or plug in (with battery backup) CO alarms in your home.
• Test CO alarms often and replace batteries when needed.

Electrical Hazards
Generators create electricity, which can kill if you receive a shock.

• Keep the generator dry. Operate on a dry surface under an open, canopy-like structure.
• Dry your hands before touching the generator.
• Plug appliances directly into generator or use a heavy-duty outdoor rated
  extension cord. Make sure entire extension cord is free of cuts or
  tears and the plug has all three prongs, especially a grounding pin.
• NEVER plug the generator into a wall outlet. This practice, known as
  backfeeding, can cause an electrocution risk to utility workers and others
  served by the same utility transformer.
• If necessary to connect generator to house wiring to power appliances,
  have a qualified electrician install appropriate equipment and teach you
  how to use it.
  

Fire Hazards
Generators use flammable fuels to generate power, increasing the chance of an accidental fire that can threaten your life and property.

• Before refueling the generator, turn it off and let it cool. Fuel spilled on hot
  engine parts could ignite.
• Always store fuel outside of living areas in properly labeled containers.
• Store fuel away from any fuel burning appliance.

Chainsaw Safety

While it is necessary to clear downed trees and branches, take great caution when using a chainsaw. Important safety tips to help keep you safe and injury-free:

   Before Starting the Chainsaw

• Read your owner’s manual.
• Wear proper safety gear, including eye and hearing protection, heavy
  work gloves and work boots.
• Check controls, chain tension, and all bolts and handles to ensure they are
  functioning properly.
• Fuel your cool saw at least 10 feet from sources of ignition.

   While Running the Chainsaw

• Keep hands on the handles, and maintain secure footing while operating
  the chainsaw.
  
• Clear the area of obstacles that might interfere with cutting, especially
  downed power lines.
• Do not cut directly overhead or over reach with the saw.
  
• Be prepared for kickback. DURING a storm
  
  

Food Safety and Guidelines

A hurricane can cut power to your home for days – even weeks. While power outages can be annoying, they also present health concerns from food spoilage, especially when held above 40°F. Tips to help keep you safe:

• Before a storm’s arrival, take an inventory of the items in your refrigerator
  and freezer. Put this list on the refrigerator door. This way, you know where everything is located.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
  
• A full freezer with minimal door opening can keep frozen items
  safe for about two days.
• Refrigerated foods should be safe as long as the power is out no more than about four to six hours. Discard any perishable food that has been above 40°F for two hours or more and any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture.
• If power will be off more than six hours, transfer refrigerated perishable foods to an insulated cooler filled with ice or frozen gel packs. Keep a thermometer in the cooler to be sure the food stays at 40 °F or below.
• Never taste food to determine its safety! Some foods may look and smell fine, but if they’ve been at room temperature longer than two hours, the bacteria that causes foodborne illness can multiply very rapidly. For more information about food safety, call the Pinellas County Health Department at (727) 824-6900 www.pinellashealth.com

Drinking Water

A boil-water order can be issued during a heavy rain, a hurricane, a water main break or another significant event that affects the drinking water supply. What that means is that the possibility of some microbial contamination exists for tap water. How do you make your water safe to drink? While there are advanced and
expensive filters and specialized water treatment tablets on the market that can accomplish this, there are two methods that are typically used by homeowners:

Boiling
Boiling is the most effective way to kill bacteria, viruses and parasites in water. According to the Florida State Health Department and the Center for Disease Control, bringing a pot of water to a full rolling boil for one minute is enough to kill pathogens and make the water safe to consume. A very important thing to remember is that the water must be brought to a full rolling boil before you start counting one minute. Let the water come to room temperature before drinking.

Bleach
Bleach is a less effective way to sanitize water, but can work if you don’t have access to power or cooking fuel. Add 1/8 tsp. of common unscented household bleach (check the label, it should contain 5.25% sodium hypochlorite) per gallon of water and let the water stand for at least 30 minutes. Remember, these methods work with water that is clear but possibly contaminated. These methods won’t work for sanitizing murky water taken from a ditch, for example.
For more information, visit the Center for Disease Control food and water safety page at www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater.asp.

Restroom Facilities

Flooding and power outages can affect the sanitary sewer system. Improperly disposed human waste can lead to outbreaks of cholera, dysentery and other filth. Tips for a sewer outage

• When instructed, do not use and flush your toilet. Powered sewer lift stations may be out of order, which could lead to a sewage back up into homes.
• Use a chemical toilet if one is available.
• Create an emergency toilet by using a five-gallon plastic bucket with a
  tight fitting lid, a heavy duty trash bag and household bleach.
• You can also use your toilet bowl. Turn off water, flush one time to empty water and line with a heavy-duty trash bag. Add chlorine bleach to serve as a deodorant and disinfectant
• DO NOT use ‘kitty litter’ in your emergency toilet. This cannot be flushed
  after the sewage system is operational.
• Once given the ok, dispose of the toilet’s contents into your household
  commode.
• Thoroughly sanitize your emergency toilet with bleach before storing or disposing.
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or use a hand sanitizing gel
  after handling the emergency toilet.

Driving Safe

A hurricane can turn a familiar neighborhood into an unfamiliar place very quickly. Downed street signs, traffic lights and debris can make even a short drive dangerous. When you get behind the wheel, consider these tips:

• DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH STANDING WATER. You will not know the depth of the water nor will you know the condition of the road under the water.
• Match your speed to road conditions. Cars can quickly become uncontrollable
  when driving on damaged, debris-choked roads.
• Visibility may be limited. Increased traffic on congested roadways and large trucks can obstruct your line of sight.
• Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.
• Traffic patterns may be shifted in work zones; obey posted work zone speed limit at all times. Be aware of equipment and workers on or near the road.
• Constantly scan for pedestrians who can quickly lose their footing.
• Obey all ‘road closed’ signs. Just because you can’t see roadway damage doesn’t mean it is safe to drive on.
• Traffic signals may not work. Treat any intersection with nonworking traffic signals as an “allway” stop. Be prepared to stop at every intersection.
• Not all road signs that were damaged or destroyed have been replaced; be prepared to yield to a pedestrian or another driver, or to stop unexpectedly.
• Know where you are going and give yourself ample time to make your trip.
• Drive with car lights on in rainy conditions, and slow down.