Be Prepared to Avoid Accidental Injuries after Natural Disasters

September was National Preparedness Month and the government urged individuals and small businesses to prepare or re-examine their emergency response plans for potential natural disasters.

While there have been many news articles warning readers to plan for safe shelter, food, water, and clothing, you should also consider the potential for personal injury or death from common accidents that occur after natural disasters, which may come in a variety of forms that can leave emergency services overtaxed or unable to reach you at all.

For instance, winter is just around the corner, and many will remember the monstrous ice storms that swept across the eastern half of the U.S., from north to south, a couple of years ago. Even in areas where governments are traditionally prepared for some pretty rough winter conditions, the ice storms left people without power for several days. People living in rural areas of unprepared states like Kentucky were left stranded in their homes, streets and roads impassable with entire downed trees, without electricity, gas, or even cell-phone service, for a period of several weeks, while workers with chainsaws, electricians, and utility workers toiled around the clock to get to them. Tornadoes, strong wind storms, and even floods can produce similar results along with serious accidental injuries.

The risk of accidental injuries after a natural disaster is high, and being aware of the potential for accidents in such conditions could mean the difference between life and death. For example, after an ice storm, tornado, or flood, unstable tree branches (or entire trees), potentially live power lines down, leaking gas lines, and unsound buildings can be dangerous opportunities for accidental injuries.

While the temptation may be great, do not start working alone to clear large branches or fallen buildings from your driveway, yard, or house. Statistics on accidental injuries from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reveal that in a normal year, approximately 36,000 people are injured in chain saw accidents. That figure increases astronomically after a tornado or ice storm, when people are attempting to clear obstructions from driveways, roads, and property. Ladders used when clearing debris also present dual opportunities for accidental injuries, both in the form of accidental injuries suffered during falls and accidental injuries from electrocution. With no emergency services available, bleeding or infection can cause even minor accidental injuries to quickly become life-threatening.

Many accidental injuries after natural disasters come in the form of electrocution injuries that occur when a person touches something wet or something metal that is elsewhere in contact with a live power line or electrical wiring. Although most ladders are made of fiberglass now, metal ladders still lurk in many garages, and they present a special risk of electrocution accidents, as well, when they are accidentally placed or slip into contact with live power. Touch nothing unless absolutely necessary and stay indoors as much as possible to avoid accidental contact with electricity.

While chainsaws, falling trees, power lines, and leaking gas lines offer somewhat obvious sources of potentially disastrous accidental injuries, have you considered what would happen if you simply slipped and broke an ankle while trying to walk on ice to get water from the house next door? Snow and ice are famous insulators of sound, and hypothermia and frostbite can quickly begin to endanger life and limb if no one realizes you've been injured in an accident.

If you are considering braving the outdoors after a natural disaster, make sure that an adult knows that you are going, how long you intend to be gone, and the route you will be taking. Do not vary from your route, and do not linger longer than you planned.

Being aware of common dangers that pose the threat of accidental injuries and guarding against them after a natural disaster can help you avoid serious accidental injuries. Under certain circumstances, it could save your life. For more information about common accidental injuries to watch for after natural disasters that might affect your geographical area, visit the CDC's Natural Disasters and Severe Weather preparedness website, at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters.

All content on Accidents.com is for informational purposes only and is NOT intended as legal or medical advice. Please seek advice from a professional on any related topics.

Tags:  Accident Injury · Personal Injuries · Safety and Prevention