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Hurricane Debby made landfall Monday morning near Steinhatchee, Florida, as the storm brought heavy rains, strong winds and power outages to parts of the Sunshine State. Debby has since weakened to a tropical storm, FOX Weather reported.
After landfall, power outages skyrocketed to more than 300,000 utility customers following the Category 1 storm, according to PowerOutage.us.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) made it a point to remind Americans that extreme weather conditions put people at risk of power outages, carbon monoxide poisoning, fire and electric shock.
With hurricane season on the Gulf and Atlantic Coast running from June 1 to Nov. 30, according to the National Weather Service’s (NWS) current forecast, families still have time to review tropical storm hazards and prepare for worst-case scenarios.
HURRICANE DEBBY KNOCKS OUT POWER TO OVER 200K FLORIDIANS
It's suggested that you prepare now if you haven't already.
#HurricaneDebby making landfall in the Florida Big Bend!
— NWS Tampa Bay (@NWSTampaBay) August 5, 2024
💧Bands of heavy rain will continue to move across the area with flooding possible!
🌪️A Tornado Watch for much of the region until 4 PM EDT!
✅Have multiple ways to receive warnings
💡 Use caution after the storm#FLwx pic.twitter.com/i7Q3DbPdrK
Here are safety precautions that the CPSC and the NWS want Americans to keep in mind for current and future storms.
Know how to use a generator
Each year, over 200 U.S. consumers die from generator-linked carbon monoxide poisoning each year, the CPSC estimates.
Carbon monoxide poisoning from portable gasoline-powered generators "can kill in minutes" because the gas is "colorless and odorless."
People who are exposed to carbon monoxide can lose consciousness before they recognize common poisoning symptoms such as nausea, dizziness or weakness, according to the CPSC.
An electricity generator is a device that converts mechanical energy into electric power. Homeowners tend to buy generators in case of power outages. (iStock)
Portable generators should never be operated inside the home, garage, basement, crawlspace, shed or on a porch, the CPSC said — and should instead be placed outside at least 20 feet away from a home.
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"Opening doors or windows will not provide enough ventilation to prevent the buildup of lethal levels of CO," the CPSC reported.
"The generator's exhaust [should be kept] away from the home and any other buildings that someone could enter, while keeping windows and other openings closed in the exhaust path of the generator."
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Owners of generators and aspiring owners should review in-depth safety materials, keep up the machine maintenance per the manufacturer’s instructions and look for models that have carbon monoxide detectors with automatic shut-off technology, according to the CPSC.
Double-check CO and smoke alarms
Whether a household owns a generator or not, the CPSC said families should have battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms installed inside their home.
Detectors and alarms with built-in battery backups are also worth consideration, according to the CPSC.
Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors are devices that issue warnings once unusually high build-ups of carbon monoxide gas are found in a home or building. These devices are designed to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. (iStock)
For optimum safety, the CPSC said carbon monoxide detectors should be installed on each level of a home and placed outside separate bedrooms — while smoke alarms should be installed on each level of a home and placed inside each bedroom.
The CPSC said families should test carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms monthly to ensure these devices work and have adequate battery life long before a storm arrives.
Smoke alarms are devices that issue warnings when an unusually high amount of smoke is found in a home or building, which is typically an indicator of a fire. (iStock)
"Never ignore an alarm when it sounds," the CPSC added.
"Get outside immediately. Then call 911."
Be careful with flammables
In the event of a power loss from a tropical storm or hurricane, some families might turn to flammable materials, such as charcoal or candles, to take care of household tasks.
However, charcoal should never be burned indoors because it "can produce lethal levels of [carbon monoxide]," the CPSC warned.
Charcoal grills should never be lit indoors because the process produces high amounts of carbon monoxide — which puts people at risk of death in enclosed spaces. (iStock)
Just as with generators, charcoal grills should not be used in garages or enclosed spaces, even when a door is left open, the CPSC said.
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The consumer safety agency also warned that candles should be used with caution.
"If using candles, do not burn them on or near anything that can catch fire," the CPSC said.
"Never leave burning candles unattended. Extinguish candles when leaving the room and before sleeping."
Candles are cylinder blocks of wax that can used as a light sources thanks to the flammable central wick. However, these household items could cause accidental fires. (iStock)
The CPSC recommends the use of flashlights over candles if both are available in a household.
Stay away from wet appliances
Since tropical storms and hurricanes are known to cause flooding, people should keep an eye out for wet appliances.
"Do not touch wet appliances that are still plugged into an electrical source," the CPSC warned.
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If flooding has occurred, families should have a professional or a gas or electric company perform a safety check on household appliances before resuming use, the CPSC noted.
Whether a household owns a generator or not, the CPSC said families should have battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms installed inside their home. (iStock;AP Photo/Christopher O'Meara)
"Replace all gas control valves, electrical wiring, circuit breakers and fuses that have been underwater," the CPSC said.
Watch out for gas leaks
Gas leaks can also happen during a tropical storm or hurricane, the CPSC warned.
If a gas leak is suspected, smelled or heard, families should leave their homes immediately.
"Contact local gas authorities from outside the home," the agency said. "Do not operate any electronics, such as lights or phone, before leaving."
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National Weather Service: Tropical storm and hurricane safety tips
Families can and should take safety precautions before a tropical storm or hurricane arrives, according to the National Weather Service.
The agency’s storm safety guide said that people who live near the Gulf or Atlantic Coasts should know where their nearest storm evacuation zone is.
"Go bags" filled with "basic emergency" supplies should be packed before a storm arrives.
This information can be found on local government websites and emergency management resources or offices.
"Go bags" filled with "basic emergency" supplies should be packed before a storm arrives, according to the NWS.
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The agency recommends packing "Basic Disaster Supplies" noted on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Ready.gov website.
These items include water (gallon per person), non-perishable food, battery-operated or hand crank radios, flashlights, a first aid kit and packs of extra batteries.
Hurricane Debby made landfall near Steinhatchee, Florida as the storm brought heavy rains, strong winds, and power outages to parts of the Sunshine State. ((AP Photo/Christopher O'Meara))
Other basic disaster supplies that Ready.gov names include a whistle to signal for help, dust masks to filter contaminated air, plastic sheeting and duct tape for sheltering in place, sanitation materials (moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties), a wrench or pliers for turning off utilities, a manual can opener, local maps and cell phone with chargers.
The NWS’s storm guide also recommends people consider having materials to fortify their home, such as wood planks for boarding windows.
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Homeowners should also keep trees trimmed, bring loose outdoor furniture indoors, secure all doors and move cars into garages or another secure location, the NWS said.
Families should review emergency evacuation plans and go-bags together before disaster strikes. (doble-d)
The NWS said emergency evacuation and disaster plans should already be in place and reviewed with family before a storm approaches.
Written copies of the plans can be packed in go-bags, according to the agency’s storm guide.
Storm forecasts and updates can be found through local tv news stations, mobile phones, radio broadcasts, social media and Weather.gov, according to the NWS.
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