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Hurricane Preparations Safety
- Part Two
Heatstroke
The rain and wind of a hurricane may be followed by days of hot and humid weather. It can
be an almost unbearable adversary if you do not take some steps to try and keep yourself
cool. Protect yourself from heat exhaustion and heatstroke, here's what you can do to stay
cool while rebuilding under the blazing sun. Wear loose, light colored clothing and a hat.
Dampen yourself and your clothes as the water evaporates, your skin will cool. Drink
plenty of liquids and eat smaller, lighter meals.
Avoid alcoholic drinks. They will raise your body temperature and tend to dehydrate you.
Always wear a strong sunscreen.
Pets and Animals
Wild or stray domestic animals can pose a danger during or after the passage of a
hurricane. Remember most animals are disoriented and displaced as well. Do not corner an
animal. If an animal must be removed, contact your local animal control authorities. If
any animal bites you, seek immediate medical attention. If a snake bites you, first try to
accurately identify the type of snake so that, if poisonous, the correct anti-venom can be
administered. Do not cut the wound or attempt to suck the venom out. Certain animals may
carry rabies. Although the virus is rare, care should be taken to avoid contact with stray
animals and rodents. Health departments can provide information on the types of animals
that carry rabies in your area. Rats may also be a problem during and after a hurricane.
Take care to secure all food supplies, also remove any animal carcasses in the vicinity by
contacting your local animal control authorities.
Chemical Hazards
Be aware of potential chemical hazards you may encounter in the aftermath of a storm,
especially if the hurricane is accompanied by flooding. Floodwaters and high winds may
have moved or buried hazardous chemical containers of solvents or other industrial
chemicals. Contact your local fire department about inspecting and removing hazardous
chemical containers. Avoid inhaling any chemical vapors. Never "sniff" any
container to see if you can identify the contents, one sniff of some chemicals and kill
you grave yard dead. If any propane tanks (whether 20-lb. tanks from a gas grill or
household propane tanks) are discovered, do not attempt to move them yourself. These
represent a very real danger of fire or explosion, and if any are found, the fire
department, police, or your State Fire Marshal's office should be contacted immediately.
Car batteries contain sulfuric acid, which is very caustic. Removal of automotive
batteries from your property can be accomplished safely, but they should be removed with
extreme caution. It is best to use "chemical" gloves and other safety equipment.
Avoid coming in contact with any acid that may have spilled from a damaged car battery.
Use baking soda to neutralize any acid spillage. |
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