⚠️ Neighbors: The worst of the storm may be over, but hidden dangers lurk. Review and share these safety tips
🚨 COASTAL NEIGHBORS: IF YOU EVACUATED, DO NOT RETURN HOME UNTIL OFFICIALS SAY IT IS SAFE
Do not enter your damaged home if:
→ You smell gas
→ Floodwaters remain around the building
→ Authorities have not declared it safe to enter
🌊 STAY OUT OF FLOOD WATERS
→ Do not drive, walk, or swim in flood waters. They are dangerous and hide hazards like downed power lines, debris, chemicals, waste, animals, and more.
→ Do not cross or move a barricade. Turn around, don’t drown.
🔌 ELECTRICAL DANGERS
→ Stay away from electrical utility equipment after a storm to prevent being electrocuted
→ Do not touch or cut any downed lines. Assume they are live. Report downed lines to your power company or call 911.
→ See sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, or popping noises? Get out! Stay out of water that may have electricity in it.
→ Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water
🤝 NEED A HAND WITH CLEANUP? Or can you lend one? Post to your neighborhood here → https://nextdoor.com/stormhelp ⚡ IF YOU USE A GENERATOR
→ Use portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas at least 20 feet from all doors, windows, and vents.
→ Keep the generator dry. Touching a wet generator or anything connected to it can cause electric shock.
→ Make sure you have battery-operated or battery-backup carbon monoxide (CO) alarms.
🚫 Never use a generator in an attached garage, even with the door open.
🚫 Never plug a generator directly into a wall outlet. It can seriously injure or kill line workers.
🧹 ONCE THE WEATHER CLEARS, CLEAN UP SAFELY
→ Take photos of the damage before you begin cleaning up
→ Wait until daylight to clean up
→ Wear heavy work gloves, protective clothing, and boots
→ Be very careful with chainsaws and other power tools
→ Children should not take part in cleanup
→ Take lots of breaks and stay hydrated to avoid straining your body
→ If you come in contact with flood water, wash with soap and clean water as soon as possible
→ When in doubt, take it out. Remove carpet, drywall, and insulation that have been wet more than 48 hours and cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried.
→ Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners. It creates toxic fumes.
Below are links to find helpful information:
👉 For the latest alerts, go to https://nextdoor.com/alerts/ 👉 To find updates from local public agencies, go to https://nextdoor.com/agency/feed 👉 For the latest forecast, see https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ 💛 Last but not least, please check in on neighbors who are elderly or have an access or functional need.
If you have other tips, share them in the comments below. Please 🔁 repost this message by clicking the “Share” button/arrow below, then “Repost,” so more neighbors see it.
