As tornado season gets under way, the Department of Commerce and Insurance would like to offer consumers some tips for interacting with insurance companies and for selecting contractors:
If a Warning is issued or if threatening weather approaches:Caught Outdoors During A Storm?
Making it through a thunderstorm can be pretty tricky in the great outdoors, but more extreme weather phenomena can complicate things further. Tornadoes occur during thunderstorms, and with wind gusts exceeding 200 miles per hour (322 kph), they can destroy everything in their paths. Keep an eye out for these tornado warning signs:
MYTH: Areas near rivers, lakes, and mountains are safe from tornadoes.
FACT: No place is safe from tornadoes. In the late 1980's, a tornado swept through Yellowstone National Park leaving a path of destruction up and down a 10,000 ft. mountain.
MYTH: The low pressure with a tornado causes buildings to "explode" as the tornado passes overhead.
FACT: Violent winds and debris slamming into buildings cause most structural damage.
MYTH: Windows should be opened before a tornado approaches to equalize pressure and minimize damage.
FACT: Opening windows allows damaging winds to enter the structure. Leave the windows alone; instead, immediately go to a safe place.
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How To Survive During A Power Outage
Shut off everything that's electrical that you don't need to use. Keep refrigerators and freezers plugged in and one small light so you'll know when the lights come back on, but unplug and turn off everything you can. Power surge cords are wonderful for making things safe from surges and because you can shut down several things at once.
Don't use gas grills, gas ovens or anything that uses gas or propane indoors. These will use the oxygen in the house up and they can release carbon monoxide and cause suffocation. Never burn anything without good ventilation.
Use a generator only outdoors, running the power cord inside. Never connect a generator to a power box. Utility workers have been hurt and even killed by this. If you have a fireplace, keep a store of wood close by for emergencies.
Keep emergency supplies on hand. Flashlights, candles, batteries, and a well stocked first aid kit should always be where you can find them quickly, even in the dark. Keep matches, a battery operated radio, a wall phone and a clock you wind by hand close by as well. Extra blankets and warm clothing are important if you live in a cold climate.
Keep food safe. If it's good and cold (as in below freezing), you can store cold and frozen items outdoors. Only open the fridge when it is absolutely necessary as it heats up quite a bit each time it's opened. Eat perishables first. If meats and perishables grow warm to the touch, throw them out. Keep canned goods, peanut butter, crackers and dry milk on hand.
Keep warm. Remember that many layers work best. Keep heavy curtains drawn and blinds or shades down if the cold is a problem. Stay in as few rooms as possible and close off the rooms you don't need to use. Put towels over doors and in cracks of windows and door bottoms. Newspapers are great insulation if you can tape them or tack them over windows.
Conserve everything you can. Watch how much food and water you are using. If you have no idea when you can get out, it's really important not to waste anything.
Boil water for three minutes if you're unsure of whether it's safe and if it looks clean when you run it. If it looks cloudy, boil it and pour it through a coffee filter, then add 1/8 tsp of bleach to one gallon of water. You need to let it stand for at least an hour before drinking.
Watch for downed power cords when you can get out. Don't joyride. It wastes gas and blocks the roads for utility workers. Don't walk around for no reason, either. You don't need to get cold and it can also be dangerous as downed cords can be hidden beneath snow or fallen leaves and branches. Inform the proper authorities of all dangerous situations.
Planning ahead makes emergencies livable. Keep a list of all these items inside your kitchen cabinet and write down where all of them are. We can't always think clearly when there's an emergency. Taking some precautions now will more than pay for itself later on.
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