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Article Topic: Relocation
Article Title: Always be Prepared
The National Fire Protection Association advise you to test and maintain your smoke alarms at least once a month, or follow the manufacturer’s instructions. The chief cause of failure of alarms is due to missing, dead or disconnected batteries. Replace the batteries at least once a year. You should also replace the smoke alarms if you move into a new home.
Have handy a list of contacts such as relatives and school phone numbers, insurance agents, doctors, dentist, neighbors phone or cell phone numbers and out of state emergency contacts.
Heavy wet snowstorms and electrically charged thunderstorms can sometimes lead to power outages.
Be prepared for power outages by keeping flashlights, fresh batteries and battery-powered radios on hand.
If power goes out, unplug or turn off all appliances. If you leave appliances on during a blackout, the circuits can be overloaded when power is restored. Leave a single lamp on so you know when power is back on.
If your lights flicker or dim but don’t go out, follow the same power outage precautions.
If a power line comes down near you, treat it as live, carrying an electric current. Do not touch it; keep everyone a safe distance away.
Gas stoves will work in a power outage. (You may be feeding your neighbors.)
Know how to manually open your garage doors.
A loss of electric power can interrupt your supply of water from a well. Don’t flush the toilets.
Have at least one old fashioned phone with a cord connecting the receiver to the phone. Cordless phones depend on a transmitter receiver that has to have power to transmit and receive a signal. Having your cell phone charged at all times will also help.
Lightning is dangerous in the high country. If indoors, do not handle electrical equipment or telephones because lightning could follow the wire; television sets are particularly dangerous at this time. Avoid sinks, water faucets and bathtubs because metal pipes can transmit electricity. Turn off your computer.
Always have a non-electric can opener, food and bottled water on hand. It’s good to have a filled five-gallon fresh-water jug also.
Always have in your car the following items, just in case:
- A bottle of water
- Something to eat (an energy bar or crackers)
- Gloves, hat and blanket
- Small shovel
- Charger for your cell phone
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