The Virginian-Pilot
                            THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  

              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.



DATE: Friday, July 12, 1996                 TAG: 9607120465

SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A9   EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:  163 lines


IF A STORM HITS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR STARTERS, BE WARY OF FOOD AND WATER

ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

FOOD: The ``golden rule'' of food safety is ``If you have any

doubt, throw it out.'' Here are some food-safety guidelines from the

Virginia Beach Cooperative Extensive Service:

FROM THE FREEZER

Without power, a full freezer will keep food for about two days.

A half-full freezer will keep foods for about one day.

Make the food last as long as possible by keeping the freezer

door shut.

When the power returns, you can refreeze foods that still contain

ice crystals.

FROM THE REFRIGERATOR

The refrigerator will stay cool for four to six hours without

power, depending o the temperature in your kitchen.

Discard the following items if they are kept for more than two

hours at above 40 degrees: Raw or cooked meat, poultry, or seafood;

lunch meat; milk, cream, yogurt, custard, soft cheese, eggs, egg

substitutes; cooked pasta or salads; stews, soups, casseroles;

mayonnaise or tartar sauce; refrigerator cookie dough, cream-filled

pastries, chiffon or cheese pie; meat-topped pizza.

AT ROOM TEMPERATURE

Throw out anything that turns moldy or has an unusual odor or

appearance. Otherwise, these foods will keep at room temperature for

a few days: butter, margarine; fresh fruits and vegetables; dried

fruits; opened peanut butter, jelly, relish, taco sauce, barbecue

sauce, mustard, ketchup, olives, pickles; hard and processed

cheeses; fruit juices; fruit pies, rolls, cakes and muffins.

IF THERE IS FLOODING

If flood waters come in contact with food, the water may carry

silt, oil or waste. Discard meats, produce and jars sealed with wax

liners such as mayonnaise.

Also throw away all foods in cardboard boxes, paper, foil, cloth,

home-canned items, opened containers and dented, leaking bulging or

rusted cans.

Sanitize commercial jars and cans by marking the contents. Remove

labels and wash containers in a strong detergent solution with a

scrub brush. Immerse containers for 15 minutes in a solution of 2

teaspoons bleach per quart of water and allow to air-dry.

Sanitize dishes and glasses in the same method as canned goods.

To disinfect pots and pans, boil them for 10 minutes.

Discard wooden spoons, plastic utensils, baby-bottle nipples and

pacifiers.

WATER

After a major storm, assume that all water sources are

contaminiaed until proven safe, says the Virginia Cooperative

Extension Service. Purify all water used for drinking, cooking and

washing dishes.

Here's how to disinfect water:

Heat water to a rolling boil for 10 minutes. Once the storm has

passed, use grills and camp stoves outdoors only to cook food and

boil water. Small electrical appliances can be used if you have an

electrical generator. If you have to build a fire outside, build it

away from buildings and carports.

Add eight drops of liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water.

Make sure the bleach has no active ingredient other than 4 to 6

percent sodium hypochlorite.

Add 20 drops of 2 percent iodine per gallon of clear water of 40

drop per gallon of cloudy water.

Add water purification tablets, according to the directions on

the package.

Throughly mix solutions and allow to sit for 30 minutes before

using.

Always use clean or purified water to wash any part of the body

that comes in contact with flood waters.

Listen to radio and other reports from local officials. In most

cases, residents who get city water can drink it without concern.

People who get water from private wells should boil it for three to

five minutes to kill bacteria.

UTILITIES

ELECTRICITY

If flooding starts in your house, or you evacuate, turn off your

power at the main breaker.

Report broken power lines, sparks, fire or other electrical

equipment damage to an electric company customer service official.

Utilities also want to hear about broken tree limbs on lines.

If your power is out, leave a message on the electric company's

computerized voice response system. Your message will be catalogued

and repair crews will be dispatched as soon as possible.

Don't go near or touch downed lines.

NATURAL GAS

If you smell or have reason to believe a line is broken, leave

the house immediately and call the gas company from a neighbor's

house. Don't go home until the problem is resolved. If flooding

starts in your home, it's a good idea to turn off gas lines -- but

only if you know how. If you don't, an alternate step is to turn off

the pilots on gas appliances. But, again, only if you know how. If

you evacuate, it's not necessary to shut off gas lines.

GENERATORS

Don't use a portable generator unless you've installed a bypass

switch. Without such a precaution your generator may energize a

downed power line.

DOWNED TREES

Leave the cleanup to professionals if trees are leaning on houses

or if power and utility lines are down. If you use a chain saw, be

sure you know its proper use -- most of the injuries and fatalities

from 1992's Hurricane Andrew occurred after the storm had passed.

Various local rental companies rent both gas and electrical chain

saws and should explain how to use them properly.

CARS AND DRIVING

Avoid flooded roadways. Water can hide debris that can damage

your car. You can also stall if water gets into the engine. Wet

brakes can also be dangerous.

Cars manufactured since 1985 are at greater risk because many

have expensive computers in low, vulnerable spots. In Hondas, for

instance, the computer is located under the passenger seat.

Computers can cost anywhere from $200 to several thousand dollars to

replace.

If your car doesn't start, it's a good idea to let it dry out for

a few days and then try again. If it still doesn't start, get it

towed to a mechanic. If you have to drive along flooded roads, go

slow. Keep your foot on the brakes, even while accelerating to help

keep the rotors dry.

Speeding along flooded roads is a bad idea because water might

get under the hood and stall the car. Some cars will start right up

after stalling; others may need a few days to dry out.

PETS

Never leave your pet outside during a storm. Make sure your pet

has securely fastened identification tags on its collar with your

name, address and phone number.

If you remain at home, make sure you have adequate food and water

for all pets.

Takes pets with you if you leave. However, pets are not allowed

in Red Cross shelters. If you live in Virginia Beach, pets with

proper identification can be dropped at the SPCA. If you live in any

other city, call your local shelter or Animal Control Bureau.

If you leave your pet at home alone, place the animal in a room

on an inside wall. And leave enough food and water for several days.

HOUSES

Prepare for high winds by bracing your garage door. That's

usually the weakest part of a house. Add support by pulling your car

into the garage and bracing it against the door. Also, lower

antennas and anchor all outside objects.

Board, shutter or tape windows. Tape won't keep glass from

shattering, but it helps prevent injury.

Remove debris or loose items from the yard. Move boats or

trailers close to your house. Fill boats with water to weigh them

down and lash them securely to trailer or tie-downs.

Safeguard valuable papers by putting them in waterproof

containers. Store them in the highest possible place or take them

with you if you evacuate.

Fill air-tight containers with drinking water: 2 gallons for

cooking. Stock more water in your bathtub, washing machine and other

containers for bathing, toilet flushing and first aid.

Fill at least one vehicle with gasoline in advance, should you be

forced to evacuate.

Have flashlight handy -- and plenty of batteries too.

Get cash. Banks may close and ATM machines may be without power.

KEYWORDS: HURRICANE BERTHA PREPARATIONS by CNB