The skinny on how to stay safe after losing power, being flooded
When your neighborhood floods and/or your power goes out, it's enough that you're inconvenienced -- you don't want to be injured or killed on top of it. ComEd, Nicor Gas, health department and fire officials and storm water management experts give these tips.
Q. If I have power but my neighbor doesn't, can I run an extension cord over to his house?
A. Bad idea. Exposed power cords pose a safety hazard more involved than just people tripping or cars running over them. If the cords come in contact with water, the result may be shocking. There is no safe way to do this, so just don't.
Q. Should I move a downed power line out of the way?
A. Absolutely not. Treat any downed power lines as live. Do not approach them. Call (800) EDISON-1 to report it.
Q. Is it safe to use a match to light a gas burner on an electric ignition stove?
A. Unless you have experience lighting gas stoves with matches, don't do it. People may not know how long to leave the gas on or put themselves too close to the flame. Electric furnaces and electronic ignition water heaters have safety devices so they won't operate in a power outage. Call (888) 642-6748.
Q. If there's water in my basement, how can I check whether there's risk of getting electrocuted?
A. If the water comes into contact with electrical appliance or outlets, there really isn't a test to know whether there is a live electric current there or not. If you can get to your main breaker panel and turn it off, it would be safe at that point. But most of the time breakers are located in basements so you would have to walk through the water to get to them. Be safe. Call an electrician.
Q. How long do foods last if the refrigerator/freezer door is kept shut?
A. That depends on how chilled you keep the refrigerator/freezer in the first place, and how well it stays at that temperature. The refrigerator should be kept at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below. A freezer needs to be at zero degrees Fahrenheit or below. If the power is out for several days, fresh foods probably won't hold that temperature.
Q. What about cooked food that's stored in the fridge?
A. If not properly refrigerated, a few hours is the life expectancy for cooked food. Beyond that, it's eat at your own risk.
Pitch fresh foods into the trash. Chances are those toxic microorganisms have already started growing. If it's $50 worth of groceries, don't take the chance because any illness will cost you a lot more.
Unless you cook and consume immediately, chuck any meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, poultry products. They breed infectious, toxin-forming microorganisms that can make you pretty sick.
Q. Is it safe to wade in flood water?
A. No. Don't have contact with flood water if you can help it because there's a chance the water may have come into contact with septic fields. If you have to walk through flood water, wash your hands and shower promptly.
Q. When should I get a tetanus shot?
The general rule of thumb is get one if you haven't had one in the last 10 years. If you can't remember how long it's been, get one. If you are working in flood waters, get one. Call your doctor for an appointment.
Q. Can I drive through the flood water in an SUV?
A. Avoid driving into flood waters as a rule of thumb. The problem isn't so much getting stuck, but getting carried away. As little as 6 inches of flowing water is sufficient to actually lift and start moving a car; be wary of swift-moving currents.