Category: News

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Mold in water-damaged Buildings

MOLD IN WATER-DAMAGED BUILDINGS

The Florida Department of Health in Flagler County (DOH-Flagler) urges the public to take precautionary measures to avoid indoor air quality problems can that occur in storm damaged homes and buildings. Moisture from leaks or flooding can promote mold growth inside buildings.

 

TO PROTECT AGAINST HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH MOLD:

  • Remove standing water from your home or office.
  • Remove wet materials.
  • If mold growth has already occurred, carefully remove or clean the moldy material.
  • Consider using personal protective equipment when cleaning or removing mold, such as gloves, goggles, and mask. An N-95 respirator mask is recommended, available at many hardware stores.
  • Individuals with known mold allergies or asthma should not clean or remove moldy materials.

When using cleaners, make sure you read and follow label instructions carefully and open windows and doors to provide plenty of fresh air.

 Do not mix bleach with ammonia cleaners or acids because a dangerous gas will be formed.

For further information, go to http://www.floridahealth.gov/indoorair, contact DOH-Flagler at 386-437-7358, or the Department’s Radon and Indoor Program at 850-245-4288 or Toll-free at 1-800-543-8279.

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Practice Generator Safety

Prevent fires, practice generator safety

 

September 11, 2017 – Residents using generators are asked to take necessary precautions for safe operation, especially as power is restored to more users.

 

“We have all made it this far, and we want to make sure that everyone continues to be safe,” said Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Don Petito. “Generators can provide us wonderful relief when the power is out, but they can also be very dangerous.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Generator safety tips:

  • Use proper care. Proper ventilation is critical to reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator’s engine exhaust. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a common, serious danger that can cause death if generators are used improperly; this is particularly true when the fuel is not burned completely.
  • Placement is key. Never use generators indoors or outside near windows, vents, or air intakes that could allow CO to come indoors.
  • Keep other items clear. Maintain plenty of airflow space around the generator.
  • Pay attention. Get fresh air immediately if you begin to feel sick, dizzy or light-headed or experience flu-like symptoms.
  • Buy CO detector. Because CO is invisible and odorless, it makes sense to buy a CO detector (similar to or sometimes combined in a smoke detector) to warn of rising CO levels.
  • “Ground” your generator. Carefully follow all instructions on properly “grounding” the generator.
  • Keep the generator dry. Short circuits may occur in wet conditions, which can cause a generator fire. If needed, place the generator under an open canopy-type structure.
  • Be prepared. Always keep a fully charged fire extinguisher nearby.
  • Leave it to the professionals. To avoid electric shock or electrocution, do not try to fix or otherwise work on a generator.
  • Organize your cords. Keep cords out of the way to avoid injury, but keep them in plain view to keep track of cord damage (such as fraying or cuts) that could cause a fire.
  • Do not “back feed” power. Do not plug the generator into a wall outlet. Back feeding will put you and others, including utility line workers, at serious risk because the utility transformer can increase low voltage from the generator to thousands of volts.
  • Don’t touch. It’s hot. The exterior portions of a generator, even if operated for only a short period of time, can become hot. Avoid touching the generator without protective gear and keep debris clear to avoid a fire.

 

Regarding Generator Fuel

  • Store fuel in an approved container or holding tank designed for such use.
  • Only use fuel that is specifically recommended in the owner’s manual. Never store fuel indoors.
  • Do not keep fuel near the generator while the generator is in use; this could start a fire.
  • Never refuel the generator while it is running.

 

Check for current information on Flagler County’s website www.flaglercounty.org, or tune into the county’s partner radio station WNZF, 1550 am, 106.3 fm, KIX fm 98.7 and the Flagler Radio App worldwide. Follow “Flagler County Government” or “Flagler County Emergency Management on Facebook or Twitter. The county’s social media team will provide updates through these official accounts:

 

  • Facebook.com/FlaglerCountyGovernment
  • Facebook.com/FlaglerEOC
  • Twitter.com/FlaglerCtyGov
  • Twitter.com/FlaglerEM
  • Flagler TV Spectrum Channel 492

 

To check power outage status, or to report an outage go to www.fplmaps.com

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Watch for downed Powerlines

Watch for downed powerlines

 

September 11, 2017 – As powerlines are in the process of being re-energized, Flagler County officials caution residents to use extreme caution as electric lines become live.

 

“This can be a very dangerous situation,” Flagler County Administrator Craig Coffey said. “The weather has improved, but it is still a very fluid situation and we don’t want our residents to be complacent about safety.”

 

Power should be cut off to homes that have structural damage. Residents should ensure power is off at the box to avoid electrical hazards as lines become re-energized.

 

As always, treat every downed powerline as live until FP&L confirms otherwise.

 

Check for current information on Flagler County’s website www.flaglercounty.org, or tune into the county’s partner radio station WNZF, 1550 am, 106.3 fm, KIX fm 98.7 and the Flagler Radio App worldwide. Follow “Flagler County Government” or “Flagler County Emergency Management on Facebook or Twitter. The county’s social media team will provide updates through these official accounts:

 

  • Facebook.com/FlaglerCountyGovernment
  • Facebook.com/FlaglerEOC
  • Twitter.com/FlaglerCtyGov
  • Twitter.com/FlaglerEM
  • Flagler TV Spectrum Channel 492
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Stay Indoors

      Stay indoors, limited first responder abilities as Irma nears

 September 10, 2017 – Hurricane Irma is rapidly approaching and Flagler County officials are encouraging residents to be where they intend to shelter by 6 p.m. Sunday and stay indoors for the duration of the storm.

“Dangerous winds alone are reason enough to stay indoors,” said Flagler County Public Safety Emergency Manager Steve Garten. “Please stay off the roadways. Now is the time to stay safely where you are. Do not leave.”

As wind speeds increase to tropical storm-force, Flagler County’s first responders – fire rescue and law enforcement – will be limited in their ability to respond.

“There will come a time when we cannot send out our emergency personnel,” County Administrator Craig Coffey said. “We want to keep everyone safe.”

 

Check for current information on Flagler County’s website www.flaglercounty.org, or tune into the county’s partner radio station WNZF, 1550 am, 106.3 fm, KIX fm 98.7 and the Flagler Radio App worldwide. Follow “Flagler County Government” or “Flagler County Emergency Management on Facebook or Twitter. The county’s social media team will provide updates through these official accounts:

 

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