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    When the storm is over, the worst may not be. More people die after a hurricane than during. There may be no more wind or high water, but hazards still abound. A wrong step could be fatal.

    Downed power lines may still be live. If you touch one, you won't be. Gas lines may be leaking. A spark from a cigarette or an electrical switch could trigger an explosion. Broken glass can shred feet, especially children's. Nails and other sharp debris are everywhere. Snakes and other dangerous critters may be lurking. Your water is probably tainted.

    If your house has not fallen apart yet, it may still do so -- with you in it. Looters may be down the street. On top of all that, you and your neighbors have just gone through the scare of your lives. You'd like to think it's all over, but the work facing you seems overwhelming.

    "The storm is bad enough", said Arthur St. Amand, the Broward Emergency Preparedness director. "The recovery is long term. It's agonizing.".

    Now, more than at any time in your life, you need government help. It probably won't be there for a few days, at best. You are on your own, like the only doctor in a busy emergency room. Set priorities and tackle the life-threatening situations before you handle the small things.

    Six hours of living hell is over. Up to six months of working like hell are about to begin. Take your time. Do not overexert yourself. People need you.

    If your area is under a curfew, allow travel time to and from your home. Although unusual following a hurricane, crime can also increase. If your area is under martial law, obey all orders by authorities because they will be armed.

    During a hurricane and in the cleanup, injuries occur. To avoid injury, use common sense and wear proper clothing, including clothes with long sleeves and long pants, and safety shoes or boots.

When returning to your home after a hurricane:

1. Find out if the authorities have declared the area safe;
2. Watch for debris on the road while driving;
3. Return to your pre-determined assembly point and/or contact your pre-established out-of-area contact person. Make sure all family members have been accounted for and let others know of your status;
4. Make sure the main electrical switch to your home is off before entering the structure;
5. Be careful when entering a structure that has been damaged;
6. If you suspect a gas leak, leave immediately and notify the gas company;
7. If possible, listen to the radio or contact authorities to find out if sewage lines are intact before turning on the water or using the toilet;
8. Report utility damage to the proper authorities;
9. Continue to monitor your radio or television for up-to-date emergency information.

Inspecting the Damage

    Upon returning to dwellings evacuated before the hurricane's arrival, be aware of possible structural, electrical, or gas-leak hazards. Electrical power and natural gas or propane tanks should be shut off to avoid fire, electrocution, or explosions. Try to return to your home during the daytime so that you do not have to use any lights. Use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lanterns, or torches.

Gas Leaks

    If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open all windows, and leave the house immediately. Notify the gas company, the police, fire departments, or State Fire Marshal's office, and do not turn on the lights, light matches, smoke, or do anything that could cause a spark. Do not return to the house until you are told it is safe to do so.

Electrical Damage

    Your electrical system may have been damaged. If you see frayed wiring or sparks when you restore power, or if there is an odor of something burning but no visible fire, you should immediately shut off the electrical system at the main circuit breaker.

    You should consult your utility company about using electrical equipment, including power generators. Be aware that it is against the law and a violation of electrical codes to connect generators to your home's electrical circuits without the approved, automatic-interrupt devices. If a generator is on line when electrical service is restored, it can become a major fire hazard. In addition, the improper connection of a generator to your home's electrical circuits may endanger line workers helping to restore power in your area.

    All electrical equipment and appliances must be completely dry before returning them to service. It is advisable to have a certified electrician check these items if there is any question.

    PLEASE NOTE: Several deaths following past hurricanes have occurred due to fires. In many cases, fires were caused by the careless use of candles to light homes without electrical power. Use battery-powered lanterns, if possible, rather than candles. If you use candles, make sure they are in safe holders away from curtains, paper, wood, or other flammable items. Never leave a candle burning when you are out of the room.

Animals

    Wild or stray domestic animals can pose a danger during or after the passage of a hurricane. Remember, most animals are disoriented and displaced, too. Do not corner an animal. If an animal must be removed, contact your local animal control authorities.

    If you are bitten by any animal, seek immediate medical attention. If you are bitten by a snake, first try to accurately identify the type of snake so that, if poisonous: the correct anti-venom can be administered. Do not cut the wound or attempt to suck the venom out.

    Certain animals may carry rabies. Although the virus is rare, care should be taken to avoid contact with stray animals and rodents. Health departments can provide information on the types of animals that carry rabies in your area.

    Rats may also be a problem during and after a hurricane. Take care to secure all food supplies, and remove any animal carcasses in the vicinity by contacting your local animal control authorities.

    Also a lesson learned from Hurricane Floyd, Fire Ants will form floating colonies on top of flood waters. They will cling to anything that floats or in the absence of anything that floats they will cling to each other forming an "Ant Ball" with those ants underwater providing some buoyancy for the rest of the colony. When these "Ant Balls" come upon anything protruding from the flood water, the entire colony will swarm, they have no qualms about swarming onto a human or any other creature, including your pets. They WILL BITE & STING until you remove them or they have rendered the "host" stationary, and they can begin building a nest.

Drowning

    Although hurricane winds can cause an enormous amount of damage, wind is not the biggest killer in such a storm. Nine of every ten hurricane fatalities are drownings associated with swiftly moving waters. People who enter moving water with their cars, or who get on boats on lakes or bays when a hurricane strikes the area are at grave risk of drowning, regardless of their ability to swim. Even very shallow water that is moving swiftly can be deadly. Cars or other vehicles do not provide adequate protection. Cars can be swept away or may break down in moving water. Be alert and follow hazard warnings on roadways or those broadcast by the media. Police and public works departments should be contacted for up-to-date information regarding safe roadways.

Chemical Hazards

    Be aware of potential chemical hazards you may encounter when returning to your home, especially if the hurricane is accompanied by flooding. Floodwaters and high winds may have moved or buried hazardous chemical containers of solvents or other industrial chemicals. Contact your local fire department about inspecting and removing hazardous chemical containers. Avoid inhaling chemical fumes.

    If any propane tanks (whether 20-lb. tanks from a gas grill or household propane tanks) are discovered, do not attempt to move them yourself. These represent a very real danger of fire or explosion, and if any are found, the fire department, police, or your State Fire Marshal's office should be contacted immediately.

    Car batteries, while flooded, may still contain an electrical charge and should be removed with extreme caution by using insulated gloves. Avoid coming in direct contact with the battery surface or any liquids nearby.

Other Injury-Prevention Measures

To avoid other hurricane-related injuries, you should:

1. learn proper safety procedures and operating instructions before operating any gas-powered or electric chain saw;
2. with an electric chainsaw, use extreme caution to avoid electrical shock;
3. when using any power equipment, always wear a safety face shield or eyeglasses, and gloves;
4. avoid all power lines, particularly those in water;
5. avoid wading in water. Broken glass, metal fragments, and other debris may be present in the water; and
6. be careful of nails and broken glass when removing boards covering the windows.

    Contact your state or local health department or utility company if you need additional safety information.

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Last Revised: October 27, 2006 11:51 AM.