Recovery safety: Use caution

PENDER COUNTY – With cleanup from Tropical Storm Isaias underway, Pender County EMS and Fire and the Pender County Office of Emergency Management urge residents to use caution.

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

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

Sullivan said 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 chainsaw or a generator.”

Fire ants are a hazard after flooding. The ants form a mound to protect the queen. The ant mounds float on the water. Fire ants bite, causing a fierce reaction or apoplectic shock. Bees too are stirred by storms and flooding.

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

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

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.