If you have storm damage and flooding, please call ITS Environmental Services for immediate assistance. We offer free inspections and estimates. We are leading experts in flood & storm damage mitigation and restoration. Let us restore your home or business with our expert care.
At ITS Environmental Services, the safety of our customers is our number one priority. Information is crucial when it comes to protecting your family, loved ones and your employees. We have included several resource pages on our website to provide information concerning various natural and environmental disasters.
After a storm or hurricane has passed, there are still many risks and hazards that can be present. It’s important to know the risks in order to help keep you and your family safe.
Please read the below CDC recommendations for staying safe after a storm, hurricane or flood.
Stay out of floodwater
Always follow warnings about flooded roads.
Don’t drive in flooded areas—cars or other vehicles won’t protect you from floodwaters. They can be swept away or may stall in moving water.
If you have to be in or near floodwater, wear a life jacket—especially if the water is rising.
Wash your hands with soap and water if you have been in floodwater. If you don’t have soap or water, use alcohol-based wipes or sanitizer. Floodwater can contain many things that may harm health, including germs, dangerous chemicals, human and livestock waste, wild or stray animals, downed power lines, and other contaminants that can make you sick.
Never use a wet electrical device
Turn off the power at the main breaker in your house if the device is still plugged in.
Wait for an electrician to check the device before using it.
Follow safety instructions when using generators.
Preventing Electrocutions Associated with Portable Generators Plugged Into Household Circuits
When power lines are down, residents can restore energy to their homes or other structures by using another power source such as a portable generator. If water has been present anywhere near electrical circuits and electrical equipment, turn off the power at the main breaker or fuse on the service panel. Do not turn the power back on until electrical equipment has been inspected by a qualified electrician.
If it is necessary to use a portable generator, manufacturer recommendations and specifications must be strictly followed. If there are any questions regarding the operation or installation of the portable generator, a qualified electrician should be immediately contacted to assist in installation and start-up activities. The generator should always be positioned outside the structure.
When using gasoline- and diesel-powered portable generators to supply power to a building, switch the main breaker or fuse on the service panel to the “off” position prior to starting the generator. This will prevent power lines from being inadvertently energized by backfeed electrical energy from the generators, and help protect utility line workers or other repair workers or people in neighboring buildings from possible electrocution. If the generator is plugged into a household circuit without turning the main breaker to the “off” position or removing the main fuse, the electrical current could reverse, go back through the circuit to the outside power grid, and energize power lines or electrical systems in other buildings to at or near their original voltage without the knowledge of utility or other workers.
Effects of Backfeed
The problem of backfeed in electrical energy is a potential risk for electrical energy workers. Electrocutions are the fifth leading cause of all reported occupational deaths.
If the power is out, use flashlights instead of candles
If you have to use candles, keep them away from anything that can catch fire. Always stay near lit candles.
Keep a fire extinguisher handy, and make sure your family knows how to use it. Read the National Fire Protection Association’s tips for using fire extinguishers.
Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
Fuel-burning equipment creates carbon monoxide (CO). This can include equipment like generators, pressure washers, charcoal grills, and camp stoves. You can’t smell or see carbon monoxide, but if it builds up in your home, it can cause sudden illness and death.
Never use portable gasoline or coal-burning equipment or camp stoves inside your home, basement, or garage. Keep it outside and at least 20 feet from any window, door, or vent.
Use a battery-operated or battery backup CO detector any time you use a generator or anything else that burns fuel.
If you have a CO detector and it starts beeping, leave your home right away and call 911.
Be careful near damaged buildings
Do not enter a damaged building until local authorities determine it is safe. Hurricanes can damage buildings and make them unsafe.
Leave your home or building if you hear shifting or unusual noises. Strange noises could mean the building about to fall.
Stay away from power lines
Watch out for fallen power lines that may be hanging overhead.
Stay clear of fallen power lines. Call the electric company to report them.
Protect yourself from animals and pests
Use insect repellent (bug spray) with DEET or picaridin. Wear long sleeves, pants, and socks when you’re outside.
Stay away from wild or stray animals after a storm. Call 911 or your public health department to report them.
Report dead animals to local officials.
Drink safe water. Eat safe food
Throw away food that may have come in contact with flood or storm water. Unsafe food can make you sick even if it looks, smells, and tastes normal. Throw away perishable foods that have not been refrigerated properly due to power outages; also discard foods with an unusual odor, color, or texture. When in doubt, throw it out.
Listen to reports from local officials for advice on water precautions in your home. Do not use water you suspect or have been told is contaminated to make baby formula, make ice, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, wash your hands, or wash dishes.
Bottled, boiled, or treated water are safe for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene. Your state, tribal, local, or territorial health department can make specific recommendations for boiling or treating water in your area.
Wash your hands
Good basic personal hygiene and handwashing are critical to help prevent the spread of illness and disease. Clean, safe running water is essential for proper hygiene and handwashing. Hygiene is especially important after an emergency like a hurricane, but finding clean, safe running water can sometimes be hard.
Take care of any wounds or injuries to prevent infection
The risk for injury during and after a hurricane and other natural disasters is high.
Get first aid quickly to help heal small wounds and prevent infection.
Learn more about proper
Clean up your home safely
Take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones during cleanup after a hurricane.
Follow the safety precautions in our resources before reentering your flooded home.
Follow the cleanup tips in our resources and monitor your radio or television for up-to-date emergency information.
Take care of your emotional health
During and after a hurricane, it is natural to experience different and strong emotions. Coping with these feelings and getting help when you need it will help you, your family, and your community recover from a disaster.
Connect with family, friends, and others in your community.
Take care of yourself and each other, and know when and how to seek help.
The safety of our customers is our top priority. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us anytime. We are here to help.