Welcome to LLR's Hurricane Center

Be Fire Safe

Adolf Zubia, deputy director for LLR's S.C. Division of Fire and Life Safety, urges residents to use extreme care when using emergency power and cooking devices.

“ More people have died after recent hurricanes from residential fires, electrocution, heat exhaustion and carbon monoxide poisoning than from the direct effects of the hurricane itself,” Zubia said.

After Hurricane Hugo in 1989, eight South Carolinians died in residential fires caused by candles used during the power outage.

The S.C. Division of Fire and Life Safety offers the following tips:

Voluntarily evacuate if possible.

Evacuate if the state imposes mandatory evacuation.

• Purchase flashlights and extra batteries to eliminate the use of candles and other open flames in the event electricity is lost.

• During power outages, turn off cooking appliances that may have been in use prior to the electrical outage. If there is a power outage, check all appliances to make sure they are in the “off” position. When power is resumed, if the appliance is on and left unattended, a fire may result.

• Generators and cooking devices should be used outside in a well-ventilated area away from doors, windows and vents that could allow CO to come indoors. Follow the instructions that come with your generator. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can quickly build up in areas and can linger for hours, even after the generator has shut off. Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery back-up in your home, according to the manufacturer's instructions. With the widespread use of generators, LP gas grills and charcoal cookers, carbon monoxide poisoning is a concern. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air right away. DO NOT DELAY. Carbon monoxide poisoning can rapidly kill you.

• Review and practice your fire escape plan and test your smoke alarm.

In the event you must evacuate your home, the State Fire Marshal's office recommends you do the following:

• Turn off all power circuits in your breaker panel, except the refrigerator and freezer.

• Turn off the water supply. This may prevent flooding of your home should the hurricane damage water lines.

• Turn off the LP Gas tank or natural gas supply. This may prevent a gas leak with a resulting explosion and fire. When you return, you must relight gas pilot lights.

• Turn off any automatic backup emergency power generator connected to your home.

When you return home, inspect your home, apartment, etc.