|
As the Hawkeye Chapter continues to respond to the tornados in
Parkersburg, Dunkerton and New Hartford, we offer the
following tips for those in the affected area to stay
safer:
Continue listening to local radio or television stations
or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and
instructions. If you are away from home, return only
when authorities say it is safe to do so.
When
it is safe to return home, wear long pants, a
long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy shoes when examining your
walls, doors, staircases and windows for damage.
Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and
report them to the utility company immediately.
Avoid damaged areas as your presence might hamper rescue
and other emergency operations and put you at further
risk from the residual effects of tornadoes.
Stay
out of damaged buildings.
Use
battery-powered lanterns or flashlights when examining
buildings. DO NOT USE CANDLES.
If
you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a
window and get everyone out of the building quickly.
Turn off the gas using the outside main valve if you
can, and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If
you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned
back on by a professional.
Clean up spilled medications, bleaches, gasoline, or
other flammable liquids that could become a fire hazard.
Check for injuries. If you are trained, provide first
aid to persons in need until emergency responders
arrive.
Take
pictures of the damage, both of the building and its
contents, for insurance claims.
Use
the telephone only for emergency calls. Telephone
lines are frequently overwhelmed in disaster situations.
They need to be kept clear for emergency calls to get
through.
Watch your animals closely. Keep all your animals
under your direct control. Your pets may be able to
escape from your home or through a broken fence. Pets
may become disoriented, particularly because tornadoes
and the heavy rains that accompany them will usually
affect scent markers that normally allow animals to find
their homes. |
