The facts are, injuries and deaths occur after a Hurricane! This is due to a number of things. Cleaning up, injuries from nails, broken glass, ect. Tree limbs falling on you. Falling off the roof. Electricution, by downed power lines, shorts in and around the home. Heart Attack, Heat Stroke, Food/Water contamination causing Poisoning. But, thats not all! It's just as dangerous after a Hurricane, as it was during, if not more! The problems of fatigue, stress, and other issues can create a person not to be aware of their surroundings, and especially where children are concered, it's best to think of their safety first. Being they may not know what to watch for! So be CAUTIOUS, take your time, and first and not least, expect and look for the unexpected!

Return home only after authorities advise that it is safe to do so.

• Avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company, police, or fire department.
• Enter your home with caution.
• Beware of snakes, insects, and animals driven to higher ground by flood water.
• Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.
• Check refrigerated foods for spoilage.
• Take pictures or video tape the damage, both to the house and its contents for insurance claims.

Drive only if absolutely necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
Use telephones only for emergency calls.

INSPECTING THE EXTERIOR OF A DAMAGED HOME

Take a good look around the exterior of the home. Be careful to notice downed power lines, antennas, chain link fences, and other items that may be being touched by a downed powerline.

Take an assesment of the roof, without climbing up onto the roof. Is it missing shingles, tiles, plywood sheeting? Is the roof structure damaged? Is there any damage to the eaves?

While your completing an exterior inspection. Are any of the windows, doors, or garage door (if you have one) damaged? Is there any visible damage to the exterior walls?

INSPECTING THE INTERIOR OF YOUR HOME

The first thing to look for prior to walking into your home, after opening the door. Is there any visible damage? Ceiling, walls, floor. Water damage from a damaged roof will weaken the ceiling, and could fall on you! Is there visible water damage to interior walls? Wind driven rain, and a damaged roof could allow for water to be in the walls. This would create an electrical hazard if you still have power to the home. You should also be aware for the possibility of snakes, rodents, alligators, and other animals. Animals are driven inside from the wind, and rising flood waters!

INSPECTING THE CONTENTS OF YOUR HOME

This will take time, and extreme care. Many things could have happened in your home during the storm. If the roof, windows, doors, utilities, ect, have been damaged, there is a variety of things that you should watch for. So be careful, and take your time!

INSPECTING UTILITIES IN A DAMAGED HOME
Check for gas leaks--If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.

Look for electrical system damage--If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.

Check for sewage and water lines damage--If you suspect sewage lines are damaged avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid the water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.