During the Storm


If you stay home during a hurricane you should take the following precautions in addition to those mentioned on the "Before the Storm" page as the storm approaches: 

   Stay away from windows and doors, even if they are covered. 

   Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, hallway or basement if available. If you
      live in a two story home, choose a room on the first floor. 

   Close all interior doors and brace exterior doors if possible. 

   Lie on the floor under a table, or another sturdy object. Some protection is afforded
      by covering with a mattress during the height of the storm. 

   If the eye of the storm passes over, it will be calm for a short period of time.
      REMAIN INDOORS! As soon as the eye passes over, winds will increase rapidly to
      hurricane force from the opposite direction. 

   Remain calm. It may take several hours for the storm to pass.

 

Safety Tips During a Power Outage 
Listed below are safety tips for power outages and use of generators during loss of power....

Whether a power outage in your home is caused by grid failure or severe weather, you can take the following steps to prepare and respond. 

   Include power outages in your family disaster plan.

  • Identify alternate means of transportation and routes to home, school or work. 

   Keep extra cash on hand. 

   Automatic teller machines and banks use electricity too.

   Keep a supply of nonperishable foods, medicine, baby supplies. 

   Keep a supply of pet food. 

   Have at least one gallon of water per person per day on hand. 

   Avoid opening the fridge or freezer. 

  • Food should be safe as long as the outage lasts no more than 4-6 hours.

   Have one or more coolers for cold food storage. 

   Have an emergency power supply for anyone dependent on medical equipment requiring
      electricity.

   Keep a supply of flashlights, batteries and a battery-powered radio on hand. 

  • Don't use candles, they pose a fire hazard.

   Connect only individual appliances to portable generators. Click here for additional information)

  • Never plug a generator into wall outlets.  

  • Use gas-powered generators only in well-ventilated areas. 

  • Don't plug emergency generators into electric outlets or hook them directly to your home's electrical system.

   Be careful at traffic lights, they may be out.

   Turn off any electrical equipment that was in use prior to the power. 

   Turn off all lights but one, to alert you when power resumes. 

   Check on elderly neighbors, friends or relatives who may need assistance if weather is severe
      during the outage.

   During a power outage, don't call 9-1-1 for information. 

  • 9-1-1 is for true emergencies only. 

  • For information use your battery powered radio. 

   Keep your car fuel tank at least half full. 

  • Gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.

   When power is restored, wait a few minutes before turning on major appliances to help
      eliminate further problems caused by a sharp increase in demand. 

Portable Electric Generator Safety Tips

Portable electric generators offer great benefits when outages affect your home. Below are guidelines for safely connecting and operating portable generators. 

Don't connect your generator directly to your home's wiring.
Connecting a portable electric generator directly to your household wiring can be deadly to you and others. A generator that is directly connected to your home's wiring can 'backfeed' onto the power lines connected to your home.
Our portable electric generator safety tips can help you avoid personal injury and expensive damage.

Utility transformers can then "step-up" or increase this backfeed to thousands of volts—enough to kill a utility lineman making outage repairs a long way from your house. You could also cause expensive damage to utility equipment and your generator.

The only safe way to connect a portable electric generator to your existing wiring is to have a licensed electrical contractor install a transfer switch. The transfer switch transfers power from the utility power lines to the power coming from your generator.

Never plug a portable electric generator into a regular household outlet.
Plugging a generator into a regular household outlet can energize "dead" power lines and injure neighbors or utility workers. Connect individual appliances that have their outdoor-rated power cords directly to the receptacle outlet of the generator, or connect these cord-connected appliances to the generator with the appropriate outdoor-rated power cord having a sufficient wire gauge to handle the electrical load.

Don't overload the generator.
Do not operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating of the generator. Overloading your generator can seriously damage your valuable appliances and electronics. Prioritize your needs. A portable electric generator should be used only when necessary, and only to power essential equipment.

Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage.
Just like your automobile, a portable generator uses an internal combustion engine that emits deadly carbon monoxide. Be sure to place the generator where exhaust fumes will not enter the house. Only operate it outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home, and protected from direct exposure to rain and snow, preferably under a canopy, open shed or carport.

Use the proper power cords.
Plug individual appliances into the generator using heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords with a wire gauge adequate for the appliance load. Overloaded cords can cause fires or equipment damage. Don't use extension cords with exposed wires or worn shielding. Make sure the cords from the generator don't present a tripping hazard. Don't run cords under rugs where heat might build up or cord damage may go unnoticed.

Read and adhere to the manufacturer's instructions for safe operation.
Don't cut corners when it comes to safety. Carefully read and observe all instructions in your portable electric generator's owner manual.

To prevent electrical shock, make sure your generator is properly grounded.
Consult your manufacturer's manual for correct grounding procedures.

Do not store fuel indoors or try to refuel a generator while it's running.
Gasoline (and other flammable liquids) should be stored outside of living areas in properly labeled, non-glass safety containers. They should not be stored in a garage if a fuel-burning appliance is in the garage. The vapor from gasoline can travel invisibly along the ground and be ignited by pilot lights or electric arcs caused by turning on the lights. Avoid spilling fuel on hot components. Put out all flames or cigarettes when handling gasoline. Always have a fully charged, approved fire extinguisher located near the generator. Never attempt to refuel a portable generator while it's running.

Turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting down your generator.

Avoid getting burned.
Many generator parts are hot enough to burn you during operation.

Keep children away from portable electric generators at all times.

 

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