Safety first after a storm
Call 911 if anyone is in danger. After a storm, leave right away if you smell gas, stay away from downed power lines, run generators outside only and more than 20 feet from the home, get to fresh air if carbon monoxide symptoms start, throw out unsafe food, and stay out of floodwater, which can hide sewage and live wires.
Information may be delayed or incomplete. Always verify with official sources and follow local officials.
Life-threatening emergency? Call 911.
If someone is hurt, trapped, or in danger, call 911. For shelter, food and local help, dial 211. Follow evacuation orders from your county.
Source: Ready.gov: Hurricanes
Smell gas? Get out.
If you smell gas (rotten eggs) or hear hissing, don't go in, or leave right away on foot. Don't flip switches or use anything that could spark. From a safe distance, call 911 and your gas company. Never turn the gas back on yourself.
Stay away from downed power lines.
Never touch a fallen line or anything touching it, and don't drive through water with lines in it. Report it to your utility. If someone is shocked, call 911.
Source: CDC: Floodwater safety
Carbon monoxide can kill. Know the signs.
Headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain or confusion ("flu-like") can mean CO poisoning. Get everyone into fresh air now and call 911. Sleeping people can die before they feel symptoms.
Source: CDC: Carbon monoxide basics
Generators: outside only, 20+ feet away.
Never run a generator, grill or camp stove inside a home or garage, even with doors open. Keep it more than 20 feet from windows, doors and vents, keep it dry, let it cool before refueling, and use a battery CO alarm inside. Never plug it into a wall outlet (backfeeding can kill line workers).
Source: CDC: Carbon monoxide basics
Power out? When in doubt, throw it out.
A closed fridge keeps food safe about 4 hours; a full freezer about 48 hours (24 if half full). Throw out meat, dairy, eggs and leftovers that sat above 40°F for over 2 hours. Never taste food to check it.
Flooded home: power off before you go in.
If wiring or outlets got wet, turn power off at the main breaker only if you can do it without standing in water; otherwise call an electrician or your utility. Never use electric tools while standing in water. Have an electrician check before turning power back on.
Stay out of floodwater.
It can hide sewage, chemicals, debris, snakes and live wires, and six inches of moving water can knock you down. Wash hands and any cuts with soap and clean water, keep kids out of it, and wear boots and gloves for cleanup. Turn around, don't drown.
Source: CDC: Floodwater safety
Chainsaws: gear up or don't cut.
Use one only if you're trained. Wear a hard hat, eye and ear protection, heavy gloves, chaps and boots. Stay clear of power lines, and watch for bent "spring pole" limbs that snap back.
Source: CDC: Chain saw safety
This page summarizes guidance from CDC, EPA, Ready.gov and FoodSafety.gov. If anything here differs from the agency or your local officials, follow them. Leer en español · Printable checklist