Emergency Preparedness

• Throw away food that may have come in contact with flood or storm water.
• Discard canned foods that are bulging or damaged.
• Throw away food that has an unusual color or odor.
• Throw away perishable foods left unrefrigerated for two hours or more.

• While power is out, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
• If possible, add dry ice if power is expected to be off for more than 4 hours. Wear gloves when handling dry ice.

• Local authorities will announce if tap water is safe for drinking or to use for cooking or bathing. Follow their instructions.
• To disinfect water:
1. Heat water to a boil for one minute to kill bacteria.
2. Use water purification tablets.
3. Do not use purified water with infant baby formulas. Use only canned or boiled baby formulas.

• Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that is poisonous to breathe.

1. Don't run a car in an attached garage, even if the door is open.
2. Don't use a generator, pressure washer, charcoal grill, camp stove or any other gas or charcoal device in your home.
3. Don't heat your home with a gas oven.
4. Call 911 immediately if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning,such as as feeling dizzy, lightheaded or nauseated.

• Do not drive any type of vehicle through water.
• If you are caught in area where floodwater is rising, wear a life jacket or use some form of flotation device
• During and following a flood, prevent mosquito bites by wearing long pants and shirts. Also, use insect repellents that contain DEET.

• Stay away from damaged buildings until they have been certified as safe by a government authority.
• Immediately leave any building if you hear shifting noises.

• Avoid wild or stray animals. Call animal control to handle animals.
• Call animal control immediately to report dead animals for proper disposal.
• To prevent contact with rodents, remove all food sources and garbage as soon as possible.

• Following a hurricane or a tropical storm, snakes will attempt to get to dry land and hide under debris or other objects.
• If you see a snake, back away slowly.
• If you are bitten by a snake try to remember its color and shape. Once bitten remain still and call 911.

• Never touch a fallen power line.
• Call the power company to report downed lines.
• If electrical circuits and equipment have gotten wet, turn off the power at the main breaker or fuse box to your home and call the power company.
•  Do not burn candles, if possible, and never leave candles unattended.

• Clean up and dry out the building quickly, within 24 to 48 hours.
• Open doors and windows and use fans.
• To prevent mold growth, clean wet items and surfaces with detergent and water.
• To remove mold growth, wear rubber gloves, open windows and doors, and clean with a  solution of 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water.
• Throw away porous items such as carpet and upholstered furniture that cannot be dried quickly.