Canadian Underwriter

4 ways to stay safe during a hurricane


September 5, 2018   by Staff


Print this page

hurricane-palm-trees-extreme-windsForecasters say Tropical Storm Gordon may become the first hurricane to hit the continental U.S. this season as it gathers strength in the Gulf of Mexico.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is alerting consumers in the Gulf Coast region that it’s not too late to prepare.

Consumers need to be especially careful during power outages, as the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and fire increase. Here’s how to stay safe.

  1. Use portable gas generators safely. If you lose power, use your generator outside your house only, at least 20 feet from your home.
  2. Never use a generator inside a home, garage or shed. Carbon monoxide from generators is poisonous and can kill you in minutes. CO is called the invisible killer because you cannot see it or smell it.
  3. Make sure you have working CO alarms in your home. They should be placed outside separate sleeping areas and on each floor of your home.
  4. Make sure you have working smoke alarms too. Check the batteries. They should be placed on every level of your home, outside sleeping areas and inside each bedroom.

Canadian Insurance Top Broker is now on Facebook (facebook.com/TopBrokerMag) as well as LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/citopbroker) and Twitter (twitter.com/CITopBroker). Follow us for easy access to the top P&C news you need to know. 

This story was originally published by Canadian Insurance Top Broker.


Print this page