Hurricanes: 4 Tips To Stay Safe

With hurricane season now underway, here are four tips to stay safe:

1) When entering a building, turn off all electrical power, natural gas, or propane tanks to avoid fire, electrocutions, and explosions. If you notice power lines down, contact your local power companies so they can repair them as quickly as possible. The Yellow Pages has a list of Rhode Island power companies with contact information for your use in case of lost power. If you smell gas in your building, avoid any actions that would cause a spark and contact your gas company so they can take care of the spill.

2) Beware of water damage; it is common for stairs and foundations to become weakened due to water building up inside a home or building. Proceed with caution to avoid falling or breaking through stairs, floors, and walls, which could cause personal injuries. Contact your local emergency services if you fall in the rubble and need assistance.

3) Use caution when choosing food and water. Having a battery-powered radio can be very helpful to listen to news instructions regarding the safety of tap water. If necessary, boil water before using for brushing teeth, cooking, and drinking.

4) If you are injured at all during the clean-up process, even if it was a minor cut or scrape, you may need a tetanus shot to avoid infection of the nervous system. Contact your healthcare provider to ensure your protection.