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Please consider these safety tips when a hurricane
warning is issued to protect life and property.
- Make Plans for action:
- The best way to cope with a
hurricane is to always be prepared for one. A hurricane
warning is issued when hurricane conditions are expected
in a specified area in 24 hours or less. If a warning is
given, stay tuned to radio or TV for official bulletins.
Secure lawn furniture and other loose material outdoors.
Fill the bathtub with several
days supply of drinking water. Turn up refrigerator to
maximum cold and don't open it unless
necessary. Wedge sliding glass doors to prevent their
lifting from their tracks. Check batteries
in flashlights, stock up on canned foods and make sure
you have plenty of medical supplies.
Windows should be secured with either tape, plywood or
shutters.
- Stay or Leave:
- When a hurricane threatens your area,
you will have to make the decision whether to evacuate
or ride out the storm in the safety of your home. If
local authorities recommend evacuation, you should drive
carefully to the nearest designated shelter using
recommended evacuation routes. Make sure the house is
locked and the water and electricity is shut off at main
stations. Leave food and water for pets, since many
shelters do not allow them. Take small valuables with
you, but travel light.
- Freezers/Refrigerators:
- First, open the freezer door
as little as possible. With a freezer that's full, foods
can stay frozen up to 72 hours. A half-full freezer can
still keep food frozen up to 24 hours after the power
goes out. Should the power stay off for several days,
dry ice can preserve the food in the freezer.
- Be cautious:
- During high winds, electric lines can be
torn down by limbs and trees. Any dangling line or lines
on the ground can be deadly. STAY AWAY FROM DOWNED POWER
LINES. Call SLECA's office to report a downed line,
outage or any hazardous situation. SLECA's crews will be
on the job 24 hours a day.
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