After The Storm: Tips to Help Keep Your Family Safe After a Disaster

Chances are, you know the steps to take before a disaster or storm hits. But what about after a disaster? When waters recede, winds calm or clean-up begins, there are many new dangers that may arise that you might not have thought of. Don't take safety for granted. Commit a Minute now to learn how to help keep your family safe as you recover. Consider printing out this article and keeping it with your disaster preparedness kit. (Click here to learn what to keep in your kit.)

• Stay clear of downed wires and floodwater. Avoid downed wires and power lines as they may still be active. Also, floodwater is frequently contaminated with septic waste, oil and/or dangerous debris, so avoid walking in it if at all possible.
  
• Check for gas. If you have appliances such as hot water heaters, stoves or clothes dryers that use gas, check for leaks. If you smell gas, turn off the main gas valve and get out of the house. Use a neighbor's phone to call the gas company.
  
• Watch animals closely. Don't forget that your pets have been through a disaster too. Pets may become disoriented, particularly if the disaster has affected scent markers that normally allow them to find their homes. Be aware of hazards at nose and paw level, particularly debris, spilled chemicals and fertilizers.
  
• Keep generators outside of the home. As gasoline burns to fuel the generator, carbon monoxide (CO) gas is released into the air and poses a threat of carbon monoxide poisoning if the generator is not placed outdoors in a well-ventilated area. Generators should never be placed in a garage or near a ventilating system. Most generators are also not weatherproof and can pose a risk of shock when used if it is raining. Be sure that your home is equipped with carbon monoxide detectors on all levels of the home, including the basement and/or garage.
  
• Check your wiring. If you have experienced significant damage or flooding, you will need a professional technician to check all wiring in the home for shock and fire hazards. Never touch electrical wires or outlets that are still wet. If appliances are water damaged, have them inspected by a qualified technician and then either refurbish or replace.