Before the Storm: Prepare Your Home
•Keep all trees and shrubs well-trimmed and clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
•Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
•Bring in all outside furniture, decorations, garbage cans, etc.
•Turn off propane tanks.
•Fill bathtub or buckets with water for cleaning and flushing toilets.
•Put copies of important documents in a waterproof, portable container in an easily accessible location
Never try to power the house with a generator (back feeding); this is an extremely dangerous practice and could overload circuitry and burn down your home.
There is always a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when using portable generators that are not well ventilated. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, tasteless, invisible, poison gas. Every year, 1,500 people die of CO poisoning and 10,000 others need medical attention because of it. CO poisoning is a real threat, one that you cannot see, smell, or taste, but that you can prevent.
During The Storm
Portable Generators
•Operate generators in well ventilated locations outdoors away from all doors, windows and vent openings.
•Locate generators so that exhaust fumes cannot enter homes through windows, doors or other building openings.
•Do not refuel generators while they are running.
•Turn generators off and let them cool before refueling.
•Generators get extremely hot and will cause severe burns if not handled with caution.
•Do not store gas or flammable liquids in your home.
Candles
•Keep candles at least 1 foot away from things that can catch fire, like clothing, books and curtains.
•Use candle holders that are sturdy, won’t tip over easily, are made from a material that cannot burn, and are large enough to collect dripping wax.
•Keep candles and open flames from flammable liquids.
•Never leave candles or kerosene lamps burning unattended or within the reach of small children or pets.
•Extinguish all candles when leaving home or going to bed.
Immediatly After The Storm
•Use extreme caution going out of doors. Be ready for broken glass, and damage to building foundations, streets and bridges, and coastal or hillside erosion.
•Stay away from downed power lines.
•Keep listening to radio, TV, or NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards.
•Watch for closed roads. If you come upon a barricade or a flooded road turn around.
•If you evacuated, do not return to your home until local authorities say it is safe.