do not be prepared do not strike any matches until you are ...disaster strikes be prepared when...
TRANSCRIPT
Be Prepared When Disaster Strikes
Be Prepared When Disaster Strikes
• DO NOT ever use a charcoal grill indoors, eveninafireplace.• DO NOTsleepinanyroomwithanunventedgasor kerosenespaceheater.• DO NOTuseagasrangeoroventoheatyourhome, evenforashorttime.• DO NOTignoresymptomsofillness,particularlyif morethanonepersonisfeelingthem.Youcouldlose consciousnessanddieifyoudonothing.
Do not strike any matches until you are certain there are no gas leaks.
No one can predict when and how long you might be
displaced from your home when disaster strikes. Being prepared
will lessen the stress. The following information suggests ways to be prepared when disaster strikes.
AVOID CARBON MONOXIDE
Keepyournaturalgasmeterclearduringdeepsnows.Neveruseashovelorkickthe
metertobreakorclearice.Damagetothemetercouldcauseseriousproblems.Also,besureto
clearchimneysandventswithabroomtoenableproperapplianceventingandtopreventcarbonmonoxideaccumulationinyourhomeorbusiness.
Duringcoldweather,opencabinetdoorsandstartaslowwaterdriptohelpavoidfrozenwaterlines.
BEWARE OF HEAVY SNOW & ICE
863-9000www.cityutilities.net
FROZEN WATER LINES
CREATE A PLAN
MAKE AN EMERGENCY KIT• Flashlights and extra batteries• Portable radio• Non-perishable food items to last three days, plus a manual can opener• Water, approximately 3 gallons per person• Medications• First Aid Supplies• Someformofidentification• Cash• Blankets• Extra Clothing• Pet Supplies
Discusswithchildrenandfamilymembersacontactplanandplace.Includeanout-of-towncontactpersonorplacewhereyoumightgo,ifyoumustevacuatethecity.Storevaluabledocuments,suchaspassports,insurancepolicies,andtitlesinasafeplace,suchasabankbox.Placecopiesofthesedocumentsintheemergencykit.
Developacontingencyplanforfamilymemberswithdisabilitiesorspecialmedicalneeds.
REPORT YOUR OUTAGE
Ifsevereweathercausesapoweroutageatyourhomeorbusiness,reportthepoweroutagebycallingCUat1-888-863-9001.Yourprimaryphonenumberallowsustoquicklyidentifyyouroutagearea.
PORTABLE GENERATORS
Portablegeneratorscanbehazardoustoyouandelectricalworkers,ifusedimproperly.Primaryhazardsincludecarbonmonoxidepoisoning,electrocutionandfire.Operategeneratorsoutdoorsinawell-ventilatedarea,awayfromdoors,windows,andvents,topreventcarbonmonoxidepoisoning.Donotrunageneratorinagarage,evenwiththedooropen.
Observethegeneratormanufacturer’sinstructionsforsafeoperationandhowtoavoidelectrocution.Nevertrytopowerthehousewiringbypluggingthegeneratorintoawalloutlet,apracticeknownas“backfeeding”.Thiscreatesanelectrocutionriskandisextremelydangerousforutilityworkersandneighborsservedbythesameelectrictransformer.NotifyCUthatyouhaveageneratorwhenreportinganoutage.
Duringanelectricoutage,theappliancesweuseonadailybasiswillnotwork.Keepinmind,gasfurnacesrequireanelectricblowerandwellwaterusesanelectricpump.Youmustbepreparedtowithstandtheseinconveniencesorrelocatetoacommunityshelter.Remember,toavoidfireorsafetyhazardslater,turnappliancestotheoffposition.Ifyouneedtogotoashelter,bringyouremergencykit,remaincalmandbepatient.Petsarenotallowedatshelters,withtheexceptionofserviceanimals.
COMMUNITY SHELTERS
DAMAGED UTILITY LINES
Stayawayfromutilitylinesbroughttothegroundbystorms—evenifyouarenotsureifitisanelectric,telephoneorcableline.ReportdownedlinesbycallingCUat(417)863-9000andchoose“ElectricServiceProblem.”
Checkyourweatherhead,aweatherproofservicedropentrypointtypicallyonyourroofwhereoverheadpowerentersyourhomeorbusiness.Iftheweatherheadisdamaged,customersmusthaveitrepairedbyaprivate,licensedelectricianbeforeCUcanreconnectelectricservice.TheelectricianisresponsiblefornotifyingCUoncethesestepsarecompletedandpowercanberestoredtoyourhouse.