Chainsaws, Insects and Carbon Monoxide: Recovery Safety

PENDER COUNTY – As cleanup from Hurricane Dorian gets underway, Pender County EMS and Fire and the Pender County Office of Emergency Management urge residents to use caution.

“After the storm passes is time when we receive the most emergency calls,” said Woody Sullivan, Chief of Pender EMS & Fire. “We respond to chainsaw accidents, carbon monoxide poisonings from generators, and anaphylactic shock from bees and fire ants.”

“Wear protective clothing when working with a chainsaw,” said Tom Collins, Pender County Emergency Manager. “Wear goggles or safety glasses, hard toe shoes and leather gloves.”

Sullivan urges citizens to never place a running generator inside a home or garage.

“This results in carbon monoxide poisoning,” said Sullivan. “Always read the manual before operating a generator.”

Fire ants are a hazard after flooding forming rafts in order to survive. The raft of ant’s float on flood water. Fire ants can bite several times, causing a fierce reaction or apoplectic shock. Bees and wasps are also stirred by storms and flooding.

“Fire ants and bee stings can send people into anaphylactic shock,” said Collins.

“Be mindful of the equipment used in clean-up,” said Collins. “And be mindful of insects. Wear insect repellent with DEET.”

Sullivan also reminds citizens to stay hydrated during recovery efforts.

Pender County Emergency Management will post updates on the Facebook page at facebook.com/penderem and on the website http://www.penderem.com. If you need assistance call the EM office at 910- 259-1210.

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