The Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1st. To keep your family safe this hurricane season and to minimize risks from severe weather, follow this advice from Salisbury’s public safety officials:
• Sign up to receive RoCo Alerts from the City of Salisbury and Rowan County. The community-wide notification system informs residents about emergency situations and community advisories.
• Go to the City of Salisbury website:
salisburync.gov/RoCoAlerts to sign up.
• Check in on family members and neighbors who may need help.
• Powerful storms will knock down tree limbs and power lines, causing electricity to go out. Never touch a downed power line, stay away from it, and report it to the power company. If any hazardous conditions are present call 911.
• The Salisbury Fire Department warns that portable generators have fire and burn dangers and can cause carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, a colorless, odorless gas. The exhaust from generators contains high levels of CO which can be deadly, thus they need good ventilation and should be located outside.
• Expect prolonged electrical outages after a major storm. Buy flashlights, and stock up on batteries. During power outages, never use the oven for heating.
• A good emergency plan includes a supply of prepared foods that don’t have to be cooked. Camp stoves and barbecue grills must be used outdoors only. Otherwise, they can cause CO poisoning.
• If you are required to leave your home, you may be placed in a community evacuation shelter. In the shelter, immediately identify two exits closest to your location. Make sure that you can get outside from both exits.
For more tips, visit
www.ready.gov/hurricanes.