November 6th

By Mutt Mulligan

Storm clean-up safety tips

Millions of people affected by Hurricane Sandy last week will be cleaning up for months. Whether you were impacted by Sandy, find yourself in the path of another hurricane before the season ends on Nov. 30, or are affected by a different type of disaster altogether, here are a few tips to keep in mind when cleaning up after a storm.

Photo courtesy of Trust.org.

Yard work: The storm’s high winds caused a lot of debris to blow around, so you likely have some work ahead of you.  Before you begin anything; however, it’s important to ensure that there are no downed power lines in your yard.

Storm drains:As soon as you can, clear your storm drains of debris so water can drain properly.

Tree damage: Be extremely careful with tree limbs and branches, as they can be tangled in downed power lines without you realizing it. For big branches or toppled trees, or any that are touching a power source, contact a tree expert to do the work.

Shrub damage: You probably have lots of debris in your shrubbery, so clean that out, and then survey the damage. If you notice a lot of broken limbs you will need to do some pruning. Unless the shrubs were completely destroyed, they will likely rejuvenate by summer.

Power equipment safety:Take the time to familiarize yourself with your owners manual before using any power equipment for clean up. For more safety tips visit this link.

Generator safety: Keep generators outside in a well-ventilated area to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Contractors: If you need the help of a professional, take time to research a reputable contractor, and don’t be cheated by people claiming to be experts. Sad but true, many scam artists use the cover of tragedies like Sandy to victimize victims yet again.

Do you have other tips for weather storm clean-up? Share them here or on our Facebook page.