RETURNING HOME
Here are some tips and recommendations for safe travels.
Vehicle accidents are the leading incidents throughout MARFORRES and attribute to the highest loss of life for our personnel. After a storm, the dangers and hazards associated with driving on the road can be even higher depending on road conditions, debris, and flooding.
- Plan your route. Research the route you intend to take home and consider traffic congestion, weather, and potential delays due to the influx of personnel attempting to return to their homes post storm.
- Check your vehicle and inspect it for any potential issues that may prevent you from safely returning home. Oil, tire pressure and tread, lights, seatbelts, and brakes are all things to consider when inspecting your vehicles.
- Pay attention to and attempt to avoid downed power lines and debris.
- Avoid high water. Remember, most deaths attributed to a hurricane are from drowning while in a vehicle driven into high or fast flowing waters.
- As best as possible, locate sources of gas along the way so that you don’t find yourself stuck.
- Make sure to fill up the gas in your vehicle one last time before entering the city of New Orleans, as gas may be hard to come by in the following days within NOLA.
- Plan for delays due to traffic and prepare yourself and your family for a potentially extended amount of time within your car.
Supplies to consider purchasing prior to leaving safe haven/returning home due to limited availability in the greater NOLA area:
- Drinking water (24-48 hours’ worth)
- 9 volt batteries (smoke detectors, CO monitors, etc.)
- Cooler of food (sandwiches, fruits/veggies, etc.)
- HVAC filters
- Toiletries
- Pet food
- Baby food/formula/diapers
- Medical prescriptions
You can make your recovery from a storm a safer one by following these tips:
- Return to your home during daylight hours.
- Enter your home with caution, check for any structural hazards that might make it unsafe to go in the house.
- If you can go inside, open all the doors and windows to increase ventilation.
- Fire is another cause of death following a storm. Instead of candles or matches, use battery operated flashlights and lanterns. Handheld-stem lighters are best when a flame is required.
- If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main valve, open all windows, and get out of the house immediately.
- Do not turn on the electricity, light matches, smoke, or do anything that could cause a spark.
- Immediately notify the gas company as well as your local fire and police departments.
- Do not return to the house until you are told it is safe to do so.
- Electrical power should be shut off until it is determined that there is no risk. If you smell something burning when the electricity is turned on but can find no visible source of fire or smoke, immediately turn off the electricity at the main breaker.
- All appliances and other equipment and lighting must be completely dry before using them. Even if you are able to turn on the power, do not plug in any item which is not completely dry.
- Use generators or gas pumps in well ventilated areas and prevent deadly carbon monoxide gas. Plug appliances directly into the generator.
- You should contact the utility company before connecting an electric generator to your home's electrical system. This is almost always against the law and prohibited by fire code unless you have approved automatic interrupt devices.
- Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working. If using a generator, be extra aware of your carbon monoxide detector.
- If you boarded your windows and doors before you left home, be careful of nails and broken glass when you remove the boards.
- Avoid wading in water since there may be broken glass, nails, or other objects in the water along with chemicals and sewage.
- If you get a cut or puncture, contact a doctor, a public health department, or hospital to determine if you need a tetanus vaccination