SAFETY PROCEDURES

The results of a hurricane often present major safety hazards. After the storm, BE SAFE!

Please follow these guidelines to prevent accidental injury:

Follow Generator Safety Guidelines

• Never use a generator indoors including garages and patios. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent carbon monoxide from building up in the home.
• Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet, a process known as "backfeeding". This is an EXTREMELY dangerous practice and presents an electrecution risk to utility workers and neighbors same served by the same utility transformer.
• Before refueling your generator, turn it off and let it cool down. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite.
• Protect your generator from coming into contact with water.
• Do not let any protection impede air flow that cools the engine and generator.
• Ensure you have correct cords and connectors.
• Don't fill the fuel tank until just before the storm.

Store Fuel in the Appropriate Place

Never store fuel in your home. Gasoline, propane, kerosene, and other flammable liquids should be stored outside of living areas in properly labeled, non-glass safety containers that are strapped down securely prior to the storm's arrival. Do not store fuel near a fuel-burning appliance such as a natural gas water heater in a garage. If the fuel is spilled, or the container is not sealed properly, invisible vapors from the fuel can travel along the ground and be ignited by the appliance's pilot light or by arcs of electric switches from the appliance.

Dispose of Wet Appliances

Home fires are a threat after a natural disaster. Fire trucks may have trouble getting to your home. If your home was flooded, look for signs that your appliances have gotten wet and throw them away to protect from shock or fire. Have a professional evaluate your home and replace all gas control valves, circuit breakers, and fuses that have gotten wet during a flood.

- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Avoid Down Powerlines

Never touch a downed power line or anything in contact with one. If a power line falls on your car, remain inside unless the car catches fire or authorities tell you to get out. Shut off the electricity and natural gas in your home, and do not turn power back on until equipment has been inspected by a qualified technician.

- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Avoid Driving in Floods Exceeding 6 Inches

After a storm, many roads may be flooded. Avoid driving through these areas, especially when the water is moving fast. Drownings can result from driving through water. In fact, as little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle, and as little as two feet of water will carry most cars away.

- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Last Modified July 28, 2009
Adapted from the 2009 Hurricane Preparedness Guide

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