Submitted by the Georgia Department of Human Resources

ATLANTA — Hurricane season just officially started June 1 but the state of Georgia has already been hit hard by various tornados and strong winds that have downed power lines and destroyed buildings. The Georgia Division of Public Health wants to remind residents to use precaution during clean-up activities and properly store food and water in order to prevent any health risks.

Clean-up activities after a disaster:

• Do not enter a building if you smell gas. Call 911. Do not light a match or turn on lights.

• Wear waterproof boots and gloves to avoid floodwater touching your skin.

• Wear hard hats, goggles, heavy work gloves and watertight boots with steel toe and insole (not just steel shank) for cleanup work.

• Wear earplugs or protective headphones to reduce risk from equipment noise.

• Wash your hands often with soap and clean water, or use a hand-cleaning gel with alcohol in it.

• Avoid tetanus and other infections by getting medical attention for a dirty cut or deep puncture wound.

• Do not touch fallen electrical wires. They may be live and could hurt or kill you.

• Turn off the electrical power at the main source if there is standing water. Do not turn on power or use an electric tool or appliance while standing in water.

• Never use generators, pressure washers or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, basement, garage or camper, or even outside near an open window, door or vent. Carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless gas from these sources that can cause sudden illness and death, can build up indoors and poison the people and animals inside.

Food and Water