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Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Offers Safety Tips for High Winds

News Date: 
Monday, Jun 22, 2015 - 02:00

Today’s storms have the potential of producing high winds. Cook County’s Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) offers the following tips to keep your family and property safe:

  • Bring loose items – like patio furniture, potted plants and toys – indoors.
  • If items are too large to bring indoors, make sure to anchor them so that they do not pose a hazard to people or property.
  • Close and secure all doors and windows in your home or business. A strong wind can rip them from their hinges.
  • When you are outdoors, watch for flying debris. Tree limbs can break and street signs can come loose in high winds.
  • Take extra caution if you are in a high profile vehicle like a truck or SUV. These types of vehicles are more likely to be pushed or even flip in high winds.
  • If you see a downed power line:
  • Call police and your local utility company’s emergency line immediately.
  • Do not touch anything that the power line is coming into contact with including tree branches and vehicles.
  • If a power line falls on your vehicle, stay inside your vehicle and do not touch any part of the metal frame.

 

“Wind gusts can be unpredictable and powerful,” said Michael Masters, executive director of the DHSEM. “Always be aware of your surroundings whether you are outdoors, inside your home or in a vehicle.”

For more information, media may contact Natalia Derevyanny at natalia.derevyanny@cookcountyil.gov or 312.603.8286.

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The Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management integrates first responders, their departments and resources from 134 Cook County municipalities, and serves as the central agency in Cook County for coordinating efforts to prevent, protect against, mitigate the effects of, respond to, and recover from all incidents, whether man-made or natural. For more information, visit our website at www.cookcountyhomelandsecurity.org.