Clear your lawn signs. Sandy is coming.
The point is that political signs, like Halloween décor, random toys, lawn chairs, trampolines and other implements of enjoyment that can become airborne threats when Hurricane Sandy arrives.
Gov. Peter Shumlin put it this way: Prepare for every contingency. “Clear storm drains, gutters, and culverts so water can drain properly,” he said, “and make sure there’s nothing in the yard that can be blown around in high winds.”
If you see a downed power line, however, resist the temptation to touch it. Burlington Assistant Fire Marshall Barry Simays explained in a message on behalf of the Burlington Fire Department, working in conjunction with Vermont Emergency Management: “Power lines should be treated as if they are live at all times.”
Also exercise caution when inspecting damage after the storm. Downed or hanging electrical wires can be hidden by trees or debris, and can still be live. Don’t attempt to move them, and keep children and pets away. In fact, don’t touch anything power lines are touching. Trees can conduct electricity. Instead, call your utility company to report outage-related problems.
Simays also advises that if you do lose power and use a generator, make sure it is run outdoors – away from windows and doors — and isn’t blowing exhaust back into your home. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be working, preferably with fresh backup batteries.
He also warns against plugging a generator directly into household wiring, known as “back-feeding.” This is dangerous and presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer, Simays explains. It also bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices.
Other hurricane preparedness tips in advance of potential power outages include:
* Find a working flashlight, portable radio and extra batteries. A battery-powered radio can bring you crucial weather and emergency information during the storm.
* If your water supply is affected by a power outage, fill a bathtub and spare containers with water. Pouring a pail of water from the tub directly into the bowl can flush a toilet. NB: Bathtub water should be used for sanitation purposes only.
*Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings. During an outage, don’t unnecessarily open the refrigerator or freezer door. Food can stay cold in a full refrigerator for up to 24 hours, and in a well-packed freezer for 48 (or 24 hours half-packed).
*If you have medication that requires refrigeration, check with your pharmacist about proper storage during an extended outage.
“We need to be mindful that there is a great deal of anxiety in the state based upon our recent experiences with Irene,” remarked Public Safety Commissioner Keith Flynn, reiterating Shumlin’s analysis. “And the best way we can respond to that anxiety level as a state is to be prepared, to be aware, to be mindful of what’s happening around us.
“We believe that if we take those precautions, if we have the resources that we need, hopefully it will serve to reduce the anxiety level and will help our response in a meaningful way,’’ Flynn said.