When a natural storm affects your home or business, it can have devastating results. Wind, water and debris can tear roofs and buildings apart, shatter glass and down trees. While you may be understandably worried about your property, it is most important to remember to stay safe after a storm. It may only be natural to want to assess damage and try to proactively clean up any messes but certain precautions must be kept in mind when doing so. Even if you and your property have not been adversely affected, it is still imperative to be aware of the potential issues that could affect you and others.
Avoid Water
Any pooled water should be avoided entirely, including walking and driving. Many times during storms, heavy rains can bring large amounts of water to an area. The added threat of high winds can then knock down power lines into standing water and the ground. This can serve to be a high potential risk for electrocution. It is also best to avoid any excess water as it is not certain what may be underneath. Sinkholes, bacteria or sharp objects can be disguised under the shallow depth and rear their harmful head when contact is made.
Fumes And Chemicals
To be on the safe side, always turn off the gas source in your home after a storm. Sometimes you may not be able to smell a leak, but you should be on the lookout for any damage to any gas lines, and shut it down just in case. If you smell anything that resembles rotten eggs or hears any strange hissing sounds coming from the area, evacuate immediately. Other things to look out for are cloudiness around the area of the gas source or possibly plants or flowers that are damaged or dying for no visible reason.
Water Supply
The filtration system for most homes and businesses is run by city electricity. If your power is out, do not use the water for drinking, cooking, or cleaning as the water that flows into the pipes may be unsafe if power is out for an extended period of time. An adequate supply of bottled water is suggested to have on hand to last through the storm and for some time after. Another option is water purifying tablets, which can be purchased online or in most local home improvement stores.
Steer Clear of Debris
After the storm, you will most likely encounter a lot of debris, such as broken glass, downed trees, electrical lines, types of wood, some of which may contain nails, and could be rusty. It’s a good idea not to take any chances around heavily destructed areas to avoid injury to yourself or others.
When To Return Home
If you had to leave your home due to the storm, you may be wondering when would be a good time to return. While it may be tempting to return, it’s best to follow your local city news station for updates on weather and power outage restorations or call your local utility company for up to date info. Keep in mind that it may take a while for the cleanup crews to take care of the debris, it is best to wait for the approval from your local sources for your safety and the safety of your loved ones and neighbors.
Some other important things to consider are reviewing insurance policies for homeowners and medical insurance and keeping them close by, purchasing a generator, and of course keeping plenty of extra supplies and water on hand. Depending on the severity of the storm, it may be some time before things return back to normal again and it is best to be prepared.
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