Department of Health Urges Safety Precautions in Storm, Tornado Aftermath
As residents in several Tennessee counties work to move forward in the aftermath of devastating storms this week, the Department of Health reminds citizens to take precautions to stay safe from illness and injury.
“Our hearts are with all those who have lost loved ones and suffered injury and loss of possessions,” said Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN. “Now that cleanup efforts are underway, we are working to help protect the health of Tennessee citizens and make them aware of the risks of injury and illness that can be caused by situations encountered after such severe weather.”
Thousands of residents in communities impacted by Tuesday’s storms lost electrical service to their homes and businesses, and many are still without power. Environmentalists with the Department of Health have been visiting restaurants and schools in these communities to ensure food supplies are safe, and that all food items are handled properly. Individuals also need to be aware that home food safety could be compromised by lack of electricity. Perishable foods such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk, eggs and leftovers that are not kept adequately refrigerated or frozen may cause illness if consumed, even when they are thoroughly cooked. Discard any perishable food that has been above 40° for two hours or more. Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was out for no more than four hours. Throw away food that may have come in contact with storm water.
Residents who are using combustion space heaters during power outages are urged to follow safety precautions. Keep all heat sources at least three feet away from furniture and drapery, never place a space heater on furniture or near water, and never leave children unattended near a space heater. Outdoor grills and portable gas camp stoves should not be used indoors for heating or cooking, as they pose a risk of potentially deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
Cleanup efforts may involve the use of power tools and heavy equipment to remove fallen trees and limbs and remove other debris. Each year, approximately 36,000 people in the U.S. are treated in hospital emergency departments for injuries from using chain saws, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Department of Health reminds citizens to be cautious and follow all manufacturer instructions when using any such equipment, especially if the user is unaccustomed to operating such machinery. Equipment operators should wear appropriate protective items, including hard hats, safety glasses, work gloves and ear covers to protect against hearing loss. Do not use any piece of equipment that appears to be damaged in any way, including damage to an electrical cord.
To learn more about staying safe after a disaster and how to prepare your home and family for future emergencies, visit the CDC Web site at http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/.