Orange County Issues Public Safety Message

 1.      Stay at home if at all possible.  The severity of the weather has lessened but the hazards and danger hasn’t.  Many traffic lights are out making driving through intersections and on roads dangerous. 

2.      Downed power lines are to be considered LIVE POWER LINES.  If you see power lines on the ground.  STAY AWAY and DO NOT TOUCH!  Electricity WILL travel through the wet ground and through tree branches.  

3.      I bought a generator - KEEP CHILDREN AWAY

·        Do not connect a portable electric generator to your household wiring, this can be DEADLY!  “Electric can back feed” onto the power lines connected to your home.

·        ONLY operate a generator outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home. NEVER use a generator indoors or in an attached garage.  Internal combustion engines emit carbon monoxide (odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas that can kill you). 

·        Do not store fuel indoors and do not refuel a generator while it is running or the when the engine is hot.  

4.      Handle Dry Ice With Care - Dry Ice temperature is extremely cold (109.3° F or 78.5 °C).  Wear protective cloth or leather gloves whenever touching dry ice.  An oven mitt or towel will work.  Prolonged contact with skin will cause injury.  Please visit www.dryiceInfo.com for additional safety information.

5.      Drinking Water Safety

·        Tidal surge or flooding can contaminate the public water supply. Drinking contaminated water may cause illness. Individuals cannot assume that the water in the storm-affected area is safe to drink.

·        Flood waters contain disease causing microorganisms. If water treatment plants are affected by flood waters, residents should heed instructions from local authorities to boil their water before drinking it and for use in preparing meals. 

·        Water boiling guidelines; bring water to a boil for no less than 2 minutes or use bottled water for drinking and preparing meals.