After storms pass, put safety first for your family and home

Whether it’s a tornado, hurricane or a severe thunderstorm, the danger is not necessarily over when
the storm passes. Here are some valuable tips to remember:

Use caution in the aftermath of a severe storm

Never leave your storm shelter until the official “all clear” is given, or when it’s obvious the danger has passed.

Make sure all the people around you are safe

Check for injuries and call for help. Do not move a seriously injured person unless there’s danger of further injury
in that person’s location.

When outside, take these precautions

• Watch for broken glass, gas leaks and downed power lines.
• Stay out of damaged buildings. You could be injured by collapsing walls, ceilings or roofs.
• If you can’t perform emergency repairs to your property safely, contact your insurance company or a professional repair service.
• Enter your home with caution. Beware of snakes, insects and animals driven to higher ground by flood water.

Be aware of electrical dangers

• Be careful when entering a flooded area. Submerged outlets or electrical cords could be lethal.
• Never use electrical appliances that have become wet – such as furnaces, freezers, refrigerators, washing machines and dryers – unless they have been reconditioned by a qualified service repairman.
• Use caution with portable generators. If installed, vented or operated improperly, they may become deadly.
• Make sure your generator is dry and properly grounded. Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to help prevent electrocutions and electrical shock injuries.