No one can predict when and how long you might be displaced from your home when disaster strikes. Being prepared will lessen the stress.
The following information suggests ways to be prepared when disaster strikes.
Create a Plan
Discuss with children and family members a contact plan and place.
Include an out-of-town contact person or place where you might go, if you must evacuate the city.
Store valuable documents, such as passports, insurance policies, and titles in a safe place, such as a bank box. Place copies of these documents in the emergency kit.
Develop a contingency plan for family members with disabilities or special medical needs.
During an electric outage, the appliances we use on a daily basis will not work. Keep in mind, gas furnaces require an electric blower and well water uses an electric pump. You must be prepared to withstand these inconveniences or relocate to a community shelter.
To avoid fire or safety hazards later, turn appliances to the off position.
If you need to go to a shelter, bring your emergency kit, remain calm and be patient.
Pets may not be allowed at shelters, with the exception of service animals.
Listen For Information
During an extended disaster, public officials will use radio, television, and local newspapers to keep you informed of the situation.
In the case of an electrical outage, battery- or crank-operated equipment is a necessity.
Portable Generators
Portable generators can be hazardous to you and electrical workers, if used improperly.
Primary hazards include carbon monoxide poisoning, electrocution and fire.
Operate generators outdoors in a well-ventilated area, away from doors, windows, and vents, to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Do not run a generator in a garage, even with the door open.
Observe the generator maufacturer's instructions for safe operation and how to avoid electrocution.
Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet, a practice known as "backfeeding". This creates an electrocution risk and is extremely dangerous for utility workers and neighbors served by the same electric transformer.
Notify CU that you have a generator when reporting an outage.
Downed Utility Lines
Stay away from utility lines brought to the ground by storms - even if you are not sure if it is an electric, telephone or cable line.
On overhead service, check your weatherhead. A private, licensed electrician must repair damaged weatherheads before CU can reconnect electric service.
Avoid Carbon Monoxide
DO NOT ever use a charcoal grill indoors, even in a fireplace.
DO NOT sleep in any room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater.
DO NOT use a gas range or oven to heat your home, even for a short time.
DO NOT ignore symptoms of illness, particularly if more than one person is feeling them. You could lose consciousness and die if you do nothing.
DO NOT strike any matches until you are certain there are no gas leaks.
Frozen Water Lines
During cold weather, open cabinet doors and start a slow water drip to help avoid frozen water lines.
Beware of Heavy Snow and Ice
Keep your natural gas meter clear during deep snows.
Never use a shovel or kick the meter to break or clear ice. Damage to the meter could cause serious problems.
Also, be sure to clear chimneys and vents with a broom to enable proper appliance venting and to prevent carbon monoxide accumulation in your home or business.
