Emergency Tips for Special Situations
Fires & Floods
1. Fire - Evacuate home to avoid personal injury.
- Notify Home Solutions after emergency situation is over.
2. Flood - Can occur anywhere particularly in low-lying or oceanfront areas.
- Peak months are April through September, but can occur any month.
- If you live in a flood area keep insurance policies, documents and valuables in a safe deposit box, prepare an evacuation plan, be prepared at all times with sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber for constructing water barricades, keep your fuel tank filled in case of evacuation.
- A Flash Flood Watch - heavy rains may cause a flood.
- A Flash Flood Warning - flash floods are taking place or will occur soon - move to safety immediately.
- If you are told to evacuate - do not drive around police barricades, stay away from drains and ditches, do not walk or drive through floodwaters even if they appear shallow.
Hurricanes, Tornados & Earthquakes
1. During a Tornado - stay in Southeast corner of an inside room.
- Peak months are March through August, but can occur any month.
- A Tornado Watch - a tornado may develop.
- A Tornado Warning - a tornado has been sighted or will occur soon - seek shelter immediately.
- Best shelters - basements, storm shelters, STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. If no basement, move to small rooms, such as closets or bathrooms in the center of the building. In open country, lye face down in a low area and COVER YOUR HEAD. In a car: STOP! Get out. Lye flat in a low area. In a high rise office-building, move to the interior, preferably a stairwell.
- DON’T open windows; DON’T try to outrun a tornado in a car.
2. During a Hurricane - seek high area, away from possible flooding.
3. During an Earthquake - try to stand under an inside or strongly supported doorframe.
Lightning & Winter Storms
1. Lightning - Peak months is May through August, but can occur any month.
- If caught outdoors
• Do not take refuge in a shed-metal or wood. Seek shelter in your automobile or in low areas under small trees.
• Do not stand on a hilltop - avoid being the tallest object, stay away from isolated trees, metal pipes, rails, metal fences and wire clotheslines.
• Do not use metal sporting equipment such as golf clubs, golf shoes, tennis rackets or bicycles, stay off tractors and mowers.
- If you’re with a group, spread out, keep several yards apart.
- Stay away from water.
- If your hair stands on end, you are in immediate danger, drop to your knees and curl your head forward, make your body as small a target as possible.
- When a companion is struck
• The victim carries no electrical charge and may be handled safely.
• Even if the victim feels fine, immediate medical attention is recommended.
• Keep the victim warm and elevated.
2. Winter Storm - The major cause of winter storm deaths is exposure. Nearly one-third of people killed in winter storms die in vehicles.
- Precautions
• Avoid unnecessary travel before, during and after a storm.
• If you must go outside, remember that several layers of clothes will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat.
• Be particularly careful with portable heaters; there is danger of fire or poisonous fumes.
- Snow Driving
• Keep gas tank full for emergency travel and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Before every trip, let someone know your destination, route and estimated time of arrival.
• Keep emergency supplies in the trunk of the car.
• If you get stuck, remain visible to rescuers by keeping the overhead light on and attaching a brightly colored cloth to your antenna.
• As you sit in a stalled car, move your arms and legs to keep blood circulating.
• Keep one window slightly open to let fresh air in.
