Image via Flickr user Country of Dare
As Toronto waits for the arrival of Hurricane Sandy, the City of Toronto has issued a press release, offering residents tips on how to prepare for the storm’s eventual arrival. The Toronto Standard has reproduced, in brief, several of the those tips below, including important websites and phone numbers to visit and write down. The city’s full press release can be found here.
Emergency Preparedness
Residents should be “emergency ready,” which means that should something happen during the storm, have a plan that will see to the safety of you and your family for at least 72 hours after an emergency. The city’s firefighters, police, and paramedics are, of course, prepared to help any one that needs help, but they may need extra time to respond to multiple emergencies throughout the city. Tips on preparing a plan for emergencies can be seen here.
Power Outages and Flooding
In the event of a power outage, report it to Toronto Hydro at (416) 542-8000.
If your basement begins to flood, immediately call your insurance provider and 311, and for health and safety reasons, avoid exposing your skin to raw sewage or electrically charged water; for this reason, it might be best to leave the cleaning of a basement to a “water damage restoration” company. Visit this website to find additional information on protecting your basement from flooding.
Trees
Do not stand under a tree for shelter, and be vigilant of any falling or flying objects. In addition, report any damaged or fallen tress on city property by calling 311.
Emergencies
Should an actual emergency occur, do not hesitate to call 911.
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