Stay Safe

Overview

From power outages to extreme weather events, follow these tips to stay safe.

Power Line Safety

• Stay away from downed power lines: Always assume that any downed power line is energized and dangerous. Stay at least 10 feet away from the downed line and anything that it may be touching.

• Avoid contact with anything in contact with the downed line: If a power line has fallen on a car, fence, or tree, avoid touching these objects as they may be energized.
• Never attempt to move a downed power line: Only trained professionals should handle downed power lines. If you see a downed power line, call your local power company or emergency services immediately.
• If you're in a vehicle that encounters a downed power line: Stay inside the vehicle and wait for help to arrive. If you must exit the vehicle, jump out with both feet together, landing on the ground without touching the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Shuffle away from the vehicle, always keeping your feet close together and on the ground.
• Report downed power lines: If you see a downed power line, report it to your local power company or emergency services immediately.

Additional Resources:

• Central Hudson – Electrical Safety
• Electrical Safety Foundation International - Downed Power Lines
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Power Outages
• Ready.gov – Power Outages

Generator Safety

In the event of an electric failure, generators are typically used as a source of secondary power. Unfortunately, this emergency equipment can present serious health and safety concerns.  

The following information is sourced from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Red Cross, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The primary hazards that arise when using a generator include: 

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning 

• Never use a generator inside a closed space, including but not limited to, homes, garages, basements, crawlspaces, or any partially enclosed area. 
• Ensure devices are outside and are kept at least 20ft away from doors, windows, and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to circulate indoors. 
• CO cannot be seen or smelled, leading to incapacitation or death. Do not attempt to use fans, open doors, or windows to allow for air flow. Rather, if you begin to feel sick, dizzy, or weak – get to fresh air immediately and seek medical attention. Do not re-enter the area until it is determined to be safe by trained and properly equipped personnel. 
• Install CO alarms in central locations with your home. Test batteries frequently and replace when necessary. Ensure alarms are located on every level and in close vicinity to sleeping areas to ensure proper warning of accumulating carbon monoxide. 

Fire 

• Generators increase in temperature while running and may remain hot even after they are stopped. Ensure proper cool off time before refueling, relocating the generator or placing objects nearby.
• Generator fuels (gasoline, kerosene, etc.) are flammable and will ignite when spilled on a hot engine part. All fuels should be stored in containers with proper designs, ventilation, and labeling for contents. Fuels should NOT be stored in the home. 

Electrocution 

• Always use heavy-duty extension cords when connecting a generator to other appliances.
• An increase in voltage or a surge to outside power lines can occur when hooking your generator directly into your home power supply. This action could lead to potential injuries or electrocution of utility linemen but may also bypass circuit protection devices, resulting in a surge electricity leading to major injury or death.

Additional Resources: 

• Generator safety video (Includes American Sign Language (ASL) translation)
• How to operate a generator
• CDC carbon monoxide video or call 800-232-4636 

Snow and Ice Safety

If you are under shelter:

• Remember to service snow removal equipment.
• Stay inside – avoid driving in dangerous snow or ice.

If you are outdoors:

• Avoid overexertion. Cold weather puts added strain on the heart. Shoveling or pushing a car can cause a heart attack.

If you are in a vehicle:

• Stay in your car. DO NOT leave the vehicle to search for assistance unless assistance is visible within 100 feet. You can become disoriented and lost in blowing snow.
• Display a trouble sign. Hang a bright colored cloth on the car radio antenna, raise the hood and turn on flashing hazard lights.
• Occasionally run the engine to keep warm. Keep the window slightly open and beware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep the exhaust pipe clear.

Summer (Hot and Humid) Safety

• Wear sunblock and protective clothing to prevent sunburn, skin caner and premature aging.
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Avoid strenuous activity in hot weather.
• On very hot days, stay in air-conditioned shelter.

Tornado Safety

Environmental clues to look for:

• Dark, often greenish sky
• Large hail
• Wall cloud
• Loud roar, similar to that of a freight train

What to do during a tornado

If you are outdoors:

• Seek shelter in a substantial building immediately. It there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in a ditch or low spot with your hands shielding your head. DO NOT try to outrun a tornado in your car; instead, leave it immediately and seek shelter.
• Avoid all downed power lines. Assume they are live with electricity.

If you are at home or in a small building:

• Go to the lowest floor.
• Stay away from windows.
• Closets, bathrooms and other interior rooms offer the best protection.
• Get under something sturdy or cover yourself with a mattress.

If you are in a school, hospital or shopping center:

• Go to a pre-designated shelter area.
• Stay away from large open areas and windows.
• DO NOT go outside to your car.

If you are in a high rise building:

• Go to an interior small room or hallway on the lowest floor possible.
• DO NOT use the elevators. Use the stairs.

If you are in a mobile home or vehicle:

• Get out! Mobile homes and vehicles are easily tossed about by strong winds in the tornado.
• Take shelter in a substantial structure.
• If there is no shelter nearby, lie flat in a ditch or low spot with your hands shielding your head.

Thunderstorm Safety

What to do during a thunderstorm

If you are outdoors:

• If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately.
• Move to a sturdy building or car. DO NOT take shelter in small sheds, under isolated trees, near fences, poles or in convertible automobiles. Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding.
• If you are in the woods, take shelter under the shorter trees.
• If you feel your skin tingle or your hair stand on end, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands on your knees and your head between them. Make yourself the smallest target possible; minimize your contact with the ground. If lightning occurs and sturdy shelter is not available, get inside a hard top automobile and keep the windows up.
• Get out of boats and away from water.
• Stay away from telephone lines and metal pipes, which can conduct electricity.

If you are under shelter:

• DO NOT take a bath or shower.
• Turn off air conditioners. Power surges from lightning can overload the compressors.
• Unplug appliances not necessary for obtaining weather information. Use the telephone only for emergencies.

Hurricane Safety

Tips

• Learn safe routes inland and the location of official shelters. Fuel and service vehicles.
• Put up storm shutters and store loose objects. Brace exterior doors. Close all interior doors.
• Set refrigerator to maximum cold. Open only when necessary.
• Stay away from windows and doors. If you are in a multi-story dwelling, go to the lowest floor. Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, hallway, or under a table.
• If you are told to leave your home, do so! Plan to evacuate if you live in a mobile home, high-rise, on the coastline or offshore island, or near a river or flood plain.

Flooding Safety

If you are outdoors:

• Get to higher ground.
• Watch out for washed out roads, earth slides, broken water or sewer mains, loose or downed electric wires and falling or fallen objects.
• DO NOT attempt to drive over a flooded road. Most flash flooding deaths occur in automobiles.

If you are under shelter:

• Find out how many feet your property is above and below possible flood levels.
• Keep materials like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber handy for emergency water-proofing.
• If you are in a multi-story swelling, move essential items and furniture to upper floors.
• Disconnect electric appliances that can’t be moved. DO NOT touch them if you are wet or standing in water.