What to do when a natural disaster strikes: Recovery tips from CSA International

CLEVELAND, OH, July 13 /PRNewswire/ - When disaster strikes, making it safely through an earthquake, tornado, storm, flash flood or other catastrophic event may only be part of the challenge. Many storm-related fatalities and injuries can occur when people return home to assess damage and begin repairs. CSA International, a leading testing and certification organization, offers the following tips to aid in safe storm and disaster recovery efforts:

Before Entering a Building

    -   Return home only when advised by local authorities, obey all
        emergency personnel instructions, and be prepared with safety apparel
        and equipment that is certified by an accredited certification
        organization, such as CSA International. Basic items should include
        protective footwear, gloves, headwear, eyewear and protective masks;
        personal first aid kit with antiseptic wipes; portable battery,
        solar, or crank-operated radio; clean drinking water; and flashlight
        or chemical glow sticks.
    -   Before approaching your home, check the surrounding area for hazards
        such as downed power lines, debris, or other dangers. Mark and report
        any hazards or hazardous goods to local authorities. All power lines
        should be treated as live - never touch them.
    -   Examine the home's exterior for gas leaks. If possible, turn the gas
        off at the meter.
    -   If you can access your main electric box without going through
        standing water or entering the home, turn off the main breaker. If
        the gas or electrical controls are inside the home, turn them off
        only after it has been deemed safe to enter your home by qualified
        emergency personnel or a building inspector.
    -   Check outside the home for obvious structural faults. Do not enter if
        serious structural damage is evident or if you have doubts about the
        safety of the building.

    Once Inside a Building

    -   Upon entering, move slowly and carefully while watching for hazards.
        Beware of jammed doors, sagging ceilings or floors that suggest
        structural collapse. Leave immediately if you hear shifting or
        unusual noises.
    -   Do not operate gas or electrical appliances until they have been
        dried, cleaned and inspected. Replace only with certified equipment.
    -   Check chimneys and vents for dirt, debris, and leaks before using
        wood burning or gas appliances. Any blockages may lead to unsafe or
        fatal levels of carbon monoxide in the home.
    -   Check for broken, leaky or shifted water and gas pipes and lines
        before use.
    -   Fuel-powered generators, pumps, barbecues, camping stoves, and fuel-
        burning equipment exhaust is dangerous within confined spaces. Never
        use such items indoors or in an attached garage. Using battery-
        operated, certified carbon monoxide alarms can alert you to dangerous
        levels of gases.
    -   Beware of standing water inside and outside the home that can act as
        a breeding ground for micro-organisms, such as viruses, bacteria and
        mold. When floodwaters have sewage or animal carcasses present,
        infectious disease is an added concern. Do not use contaminated or
        potentially contaminated water for cooking or washing.
    -   Everything that has been touched by floodwater should be cleaned and
        disinfected. Materials that cannot be effectively cleaned, such as
        carpeting, mattresses, and stuffed toys or furniture should be
        discarded. Remove and discard wet wallboard, drywall, gypsum and
        insulation. Start the drying process as soon as possible by opening
        all windows and doors to circulate fresh air inside the home. Use
        fans and dehumidifiers certified by an accredited organization, such
        as CSA International, to aid in the drying process.
    -   If your basement remains flooded, removing water too quickly from
        your basement may put pressure on your home's outer walls and
        significantly damage or collapse your foundation. Drain your basement
        slowly and carefully only when standing water outside the home is no
        longer visible on the ground.
    -   Heating and air conditioning ducts may have mud or debris and may
        need to be cleaned and disinfected.

    Generators and Tools

    -   Use generators carefully and always follow instructions, ensuring
        your generator is rated for the amount of electricity you will need.
        To prevent shock, the generator must be properly grounded. Only use
        generators or tools that have been tested and certified by an
        accredited organization, such as CSA International, and always follow
        manufacturer's instructions.
    -   Do not connect a generator directly to a home's wiring, which could
        send high-voltage current or "backfeed" to outside power lines
        connected to your house. Backfeed could be fatal to electrical
        workers, neighbors or anyone that touches the power line and may
        cause additional damage to your home.
    -   To prevent fires, never refuel a generator while it's running or
        still hot and keep an appropriate fire extinguisher nearby at all
        times. Be sure to store fuel containers outside and away from
        buildings or combustibles.
    -   If you must use an extension cord, ensure it's certified for outdoor
        use and check it often for overheating. Do not attach multiple
        extension cords.
    -   Consider using portable solar panels and battery units for smaller
        appliances.
    -   Do not use electrical tools in wet locations and make sure all tools
        and appliances are properly grounded and double insulated. Mud or
        dirt in a grounded outlet may prevent the grounding system from
        working and lead to electrocution. If unsure about the condition of a
        grounded outlet, call an electrician.
    -   Use the electrically-operated tools one at a time to avoid
        overloading circuits.
    -   Beware of scammers offering counterfeit goods or structural repair
        assistance. Opportunists often use disasters to take advantage of
        people in need to make empty promises for repairs or sell fake goods.
        Be cautious of people selling flimsy or suspect tools and products.
        Look for a certification mark.

For more everyday consumer tips and safety advice, please visit www.csasafetytips.com

About CSA International

CSA International is a provider of product testing and certification services for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a variety of other products. Recognized in the U.S., Canada and around the world, CSA International certification marks appear on billions of products worldwide. CSA International is a division of CSA Group, which also includes CSA Standards, a leading solutions based standards organization, providing standards development, application products, training and advisory services; and OnSpeX, a provider of consumer product evaluation, inspection and advisory services for retailers and manufacturers. For more information, visit www.csa-international.org

SOURCE CSA International