Avoid Personal Injuries By Considering These Items Before, During And After A Hurricane
Michael Babboni
Personal Injury
Emergency situations seem to bring out the best in residents. Hurricane Irma recently ravished our coastal community, and catastrophic storms appear to be growing at an alarming rate. So, if you were lucky enough to come out unscathed after Irma, just remember that you might not be so fortunate next time. Mandatory evacuations become necessary when emergency crews are not able to gain access to an area. If a person sustains an injury during or after the storm, medical attention might not be available to see them through the crisis. In other words, the person may have to tend to the wound on their own.Heed the warnings and act accordingly to ensure that your health stays intact during these trying times. Hurricanes Harvey and Irma both dropped overwhelming amounts of rain in Texas and Florida. Flood waters grew steadily and caught many residents off guard, which eventually led to them becoming trapped on the upper levels or roofs of their homes. Rescuers then have to put their lives in jeopardy to get victims to safety. Snakes, downed power lines, and various other hidden contaminants lie in wait in the darkened waters, so stay safe when emergency situations arise and please apply your common sense to situations before acting.
Don't Forget To Batten Down The Hatches
High winds force shingles and other building materials rip loose from structures and turn into flying projectiles. Once you have decided to stay put, avoid poking your head outside just to look around. A piece of flying debris could easily strike you, resulting in a concussion, laceration, brain injury, or even loss of life. It is also notable to mention that if it turns calm outside for a moment, these elements could only be due to the eye of the storm passing over the area. Inclement weather can present itself again at a moment's notice, and not being prepared could have lasting consequences on one's way of life.
Ensure that you have enough time to clean your front and backyards properly. We owe it to our friends and neighbors to not let debris from our yard come crashing through their windows. Place lawn chairs, patio furniture, toys, and other items that high winds can pick up and throw around like a rag doll in the garage or shed. While a homeowner can not control a roof flying off or what happens from that point on, they will have done their part to try and keep their friends and family members safe.
Avoid Driving Your Vehicle Through High Water
Road and bridge integrity becomes brought into question after torrential rainfalls, especially when the added weight is sitting on and all around the surface. Even if the liquid is only a few feet deep, that amount is usually enough to sweep a vehicle off the street if a swift current is present. Much like with the other scenarios mentioned above, emergency crews may not be able to reach your car, and drivers and passengers can become trapped inside if water pressure is pushing against the doors and windows. The risks of sustaining an injury or even losing one's life increase significantly during a crisis such as this, so just avoid them by not ever driving through flood waters.
Weakened concrete or rebar used in road construction may lead to sinkholes forming or collapses occurring. It hard to tell if a path is weak under normal conditions, but the low visibility can cause you to miss something. These actions can cause vehicles to disappear beneath the water quickly. Stay on your toes, watch the backs of fellow residents, and with any luck, we will all come out of the emergencies unharmed.