STORM SAFETY KEEP YOUR FAMILY AND HOME SAFE CONTRIBUTED WRITER The tristate area is no stranger when it comes to severe weather or tornadic activity. Make sure you don’t miss a beat during a power outage or home damage this storm season.
Invest in a generator A power generator may prove a wor thwhile investment. Generators come in two basic types. A portable generator can be rolled into place and uses gasoline as fuel. Keep these generators outside and dr y. A whole-house generator can be hard-wired to a home’s electrical system and automatically engage should a power outage occur.
Prepare in advance In anticipation of a power outage, stock up on battery-powered devices like flashlights, lanterns and radios. Charge mobile phones and other devices so they’re at 100 percent power. Keep refrigerators and freezers closed as much as possible. Maintain a cache of nonperishable food and plan to use any perishable items that are in the refrigerator first. A refrigerator can keep food cold for about four hours after power has ceased, states Ready.gov, while a freezer can keep the temperature for about 48 hours if full. Packing these appliances with ice or frozen bottles of water can help.
During a power outage Report the power outage to the power company if it seems localized; otherwise, wait for updates to see who is affected. Try to remain cool or warm if the HVAC system is not functioning. Pool resources by having everyone in the family gather in one room of the house. Older adults and children are especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures. Maintain food supplies that do not require refrigeration, including two gallons of bottled water per individual. People who take refrigerated medications should only ingest drugs that have been at room temperature until a new supply is available, advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Power outages routinely occur and require planning and safety precautions until power is restored. It’s recommended that you shut of f all natural gas, propane tanks and electrical power to avoid fire or electrocution, the CDC cautioned. If the smell of gas is present and you suspect a leak,
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turn off the main gas valve and leave the house immediately. The CDC recommends these additional post-tornado safety precautions to keep in mind: • Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long sleeves and gloves when handling or walking on or near debris. • Look out for exposed nails and broken glass. • Don’t touch downed power lines or objects in contact with them, and report electrical hazards to the police and utility company. If you smell natural gas or hear any hissing sounds, you may have a gas leak. You should open a window and leave the premises immediately. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor’s home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional. If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice. If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.
After a power outage Toss foods that have been exposed to temps of 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more. Inspect all food for unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out. Make sure to take pictures of before, during, and after clean-up. Document any damaged valuables you find, and take pictures of all damage to the interior or exterior of the home before any repairs are done. These will all bode well for you during an insurance claim. You should immediately call an agent and report that a storm came through the area and your house is one that is damaged. In instances of tornados or severe weather, they may already be prepared for the influx of calls for insurance claims. You should find out how long it will take to get an inspection and file a claim. In order to be safe, you need to make some proper repairs that would cause immediate danger to you or your family. Clear these with your insurance company as you should be able to include these into your filed claim.
POST-DISASTER CLEAN-UP REMOVE ANY WATER – If your basement or house has flooded, the first thing to do is extract the water. Your sump pump should be able to
do its job, make sure if you lost power that it has a backup power source or backup battery. Make sure any drains are clear of debris then call a local professional clean up of the water damage to prevent mold growth. KEEP AIR CIRCULATING – Open vents and windows and set up a fan to keep fresh air circulating. Run a dehumidifier in the basement and any room that had water damage. Mold and mildew can start growing within 48 hours, so the faster water is cleaned up and everything dries, the better. REMOVE WET DRYWALL – If your drywall gets wet, there is no chance to dry it out, that portion has to be removed and replaced. It holds too high of a potential for mold if left untouched. The same goes for insulation behind the drywall. BROKEN GLASS – If windows have blown out or shattered, carefully lean up all the pieces of glass, and wear shoes whenever you are cleaning up inside your house to protect yourself. You will have to board them up until repairs can be made. Contact your local glass store or contractor for help. YARD CLEANUP – Collect large items first and put them to the curb. Use a saw or chainsaw to cut up larger pieces of wood, and rake everything else. ROOFING DAMAGE – Inspect your roof for shingles that might have come loose, blown, or have divets from hail and debris damage. Any exposed roof can cause future leaks and damage to your roof, so a consultation should be done as soon as possible for repairs. If damage if very bad, lay tarps on the roof to prevent leaks in the meantime.
