CALL BEFORE YOU DIG
You may be eager to remove large trees or other debris after a hurricane hits. But your underground utilities could pose a real danger. More and more utilities are buried underground and some aren’t buried as deep as you may think. The result can be costly, even deadly. Before you dig, call 811 if you don’t know where underground utilities are located on your property. Or go to www.sunshine811.com for more information.
FOOD AND WATER SAFETY
- If power goes out, avoid opening refrigerators and freezers to keep items from spoiling and/or thawing.
- Food in a refrigerator is safe if power is out for only a few hours. If the temperature inside exceeds 40°F for more than two hours, perishable foods are unsafe to eat. (Get a small thermometer to keep inside your refrigerator.)
- If there are ice crystals on freezer items, the food can safely be refrozen.
- If you’re unsure whether an item has spoiled, throw it away.
- Do not drink tap water until officials have announced it is safe.
- Commercially bottled water is good indefinitely, regardless of expiration date.
- Water you’ve bottled yourself will only be good for about a week at room temperature (two weeks in the refrigerator).
TO STERILIZE WATER:
Boil for at least one minute,
OR Add 12 drops of a 2% tincture of iodine per gallon,
OR Add 8 drops unscented household bleach
(with Hypochlorite as the only active ingredient) per gallon,
OR Use water purification tablets.