Stay Safe During Storms!

8/19/2022 (Permalink)

Storms are unavoidable, but taking a few steps of precaution can avoid most of the risks!

We've had quite a rainy and stormy summer, and with these storms comes the risk of personal and property damage. Keeping yourself and your loved ones safe during a storm is the top priority, so here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Get inside! Be it inside your home or the home of a trusted neighbor, staying outside during a storm exposes you to many risk factors. If you’re away, seek shelter at a local business, or a public restroom. Public restrooms in parks are typically built to be stormproof. Should there be no other options, shelter in your car to reduce risk and stay dry as you wait out the storm.

Stay away from windows. The safest place to be during a storm is a basement. Unfortunately, many houses in the south don’t have basements. As such, centralized bathrooms are a great alternative.

Try to stay away from appliances. Showering or talking on a wired phone is especially dangerous during a storm. Lightning can travel through plumbing fixtures or home wiring; to that end, try to avoid using your washer and dryer during a storm. Lightning strikes can cause those appliances to short and catch fire.

Once the storm has passed, be cautious when walking around, especially outside. Be alert for down powerlines and tree branches. If you smell gas, be sure to contact authorities immediately. Storms can be scary to witness but following these steps can help to put your mind at ease during the next one. If you find that a storm has caused damage, call SERVPRO of Greenville today and let the experts take care of it!