WHAT TO DO

DURING A FLOOD

With floodwaters rising, here are things you can do to make sure your family stays safe until the water levels drop again.

* Fill bathtubs, sinks, and jugs with clean water in case water becomes contaminated.

* Listen to a battery-operated radio for the latest storm information.

* If local authorities instruct you to do so, turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve.

* If told to evacuate your home, do so immediately.

* If the waters start to rise inside your house before you have evacuated, retreat to the second floor, the attic, and if necessary, the roof.

* Floodwaters may carry raw sewage, chemical waste and other disease-spreading substances. If you’ve come in contact with floodwaters, wash your hands with soap and disinfected water.

* Avoid walking through floodwaters. As little as six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.

* Don’t drive through a flooded area. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way. A car can be carried away by just 2 feet of flood water.

* Electric current passes easily through water, so stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires.

* Look out for animals — especially snakes. Animals lose their homes in floods, too.

AFTER A FLOOD

Your community has been flooded, and your property has suffered flood damage. Stay calm and stay safe in the days ahead by following these instructions.

* If your home has suffered damage, call the agent who handles your flood insurance to file a claim. If you are unable to stay in your home, make sure to say where you can be reached.

* To make filing your claim easier, take photos of any water in the house and save damaged personal property. If necessary, place these items outside the home. An insurance adjuster will need to see what’s been damaged in order to process your claim.

* Check for structural damage before re-entering your home. Don’t go in if there is a chance of the building collapsing.

* Upon re-entering your property, do not use matches, cigarette lighters or other open flames since gas may be trapped inside. If you smell gas or hear hissing, open a window, leave quickly, and call the gas company from a neighbor’s home.

* Keep power off until an electrician has inspected your system for safety.

* Check for sewage and water line damage. If you suspect damage, avoid using the toilets and the tap and call a plumber.

* Throw away any food — including canned goods — that has come in contact with floodwaters.

* Until local authorities declare your water supply to be safe, boil water for drinking and food preparation.

* Make sure to follow local building codes and ordinances when rebuilding. Use flood-resistant materials and techniques to protect your property from future flood damage.

USE GENERATORS WISELY

• * While portable generators are useful when temporary or remote electric power is needed, generators also can be extremely hazardous and even life threatening.
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• * The primary hazards when using a generator are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust, electric shock or electrocution, and fire. Most of the deaths and injuries associated with portable generators are from CO poisoning from generators used indoors or in partially enclosed spaces.
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• * Follow these safety tips:
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• * Never use a generator indoors or in partially enclosed spaces, including homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, and other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO build-up in the home.

* Locate the unit outdoors and away from doors, windows, and vents that could allow CO to come indoors.

* Install battery-operated or plug-in CO alarms with battery back up in your home, according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions. The CO alarms should be certified to the requirements of the latest safety standards for CO alarms (UL 2034, IAS 6-96, or CSA 6.19.01).

* Test your CO alarm batteries frequently and replace dead batteries.

* Keep the generator dry and do not use in rain or wet conditions. To protect from moisture, operate it on a dry surface under an open, canopy-like structure. Make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator.

* Plug appliances directly into the generator, or use a heavy duty, outdoor-rated extension cord that is rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance loads. Check that the cord is free of cuts or tears and that the plug has all three prongs, especially a grounding pin.

* Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet, a practice known as “back feeding.” This extremely dangerous practice presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer.

* It also bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices.

* If you must connect the generator through the house wiring to power appliances, use a qualified electrician to install the appropriate equipment in accordance with local electrical codes. Or, ask your utility company to install an appropriate power transfer switch.

* Never store fuel for your generator in your house. Gasoline, propane, kerosene, and other flammable liquids should be stored outside of living areas in properly labeled, non-glass safety containers. Do not store them near a fuel-burning appliance, such as a natural gas water heater in a garage. If the fuel is spilled or the container is not sealed properly, invisible vapors from the fuel can travel along the ground and be ignited by the appliance’s pilot light or by arcs from electric switches in the appliance.

* Before refueling the generator, turn it off and let it cool down. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite. (Source: FEMA)