Natural disasters come in many forms, but often we are not prepared to deal with them. When Hurricane Katrina destroyed the levies in Louisiana, the water left people stranded on their rooftops. Flood waters in some places were up to the roofs, and in others, filled the basements of homes. One of the most often overlooked problems after storms, hurricanes, and other natural disasters is the risk of electrocution. Many individuals who perish in these disasters do so because of the destruction caused that results in downed power lines, water-immersed household appliances, and the like.
Here are some important things to keep in mind to keep you and your family safe:
· If you think someone has been electrocuted, follow these precautions:
- Look, but do not touch the person. They may still be in contact with the source of electricity, and the current can pass to you
- Have someone call 911 or find a trained medical professional
- Turn off the source of electricity, if possible. If you use an object that will not conduct electricity (such as a piece of wood, cardboard, or plastic) you can move the
source away from the victim
- After the person is free from the electric source, begin CPR if necessary after you’ve checked his/her breathing and pulse rate.
- Elevate the person’s legs to slightly higher than the had–the victim look pale, or may feel faint, or show other signs of shock.
- Be sure the individual gets medical help because burns can occur inside the body due to electrical shock. Do not remove clothing–or cover burns–these are important clues as to what injuries the victim may have sustained internally
· Never turn power on or off or use any type of electrical appliance or tools if you are standing in water–even if it’s only a small amount! Items that have been exposed to water need to be checked by a Certified Electrician.
· Call your local power company to report fallen or damaged power lines
· NEVER touch a fallen power line, and avoid any contact with overhead lines even if you
are trying to clean up an area.
· If there are downed power lines in standing water, do not drive your car through that water.
· If a power line falls across your car when you are in it, stay inside the car and drive away. If the engine stalls, DO NOT turn off the ignition. Let other people know who may try to help you that they should not touch the line, or your car. Emergency services and the local utility company need to be called to assist you. It is too dangerous for individuals who are no professionally trained to aid you.
· Generators must have automatic interrupt devices–In the event of an electrical outage, these units—if attached to your home’s electrical circuit became dangerous and may become a major fire hazard once power is restored.