Your first concern following a disaster like a hurricane should be for the safety of you and your family. Typically more deaths occur following a hurricane than during the storm itself. In most instances this is a result of homeowners being too eager to start assessing hurricane damages before the have evaluated the safety of their surroundings. Unstable trees and downed power lines can be deadly and far too many people fall victim to these avoidable dangers each and every year. Here are some helpful hints that will help keep you and your family safe in the aftermath of a hurricane:

• Remain indoors until an official "all clear" is given.

• Do not touch fallen or low-hanging wires of any kind under any circumstances.

• Stay away from puddles with wires in/near them.

• Do not touch trees or other objects in contact with power lines.

• USE PHONES ONLY FOR EMERGENCIES.

• Call 911 only for life-threatening situations.

• Call police or utility companies immediately to report hazards such as downed power lines, broken gas or water mains, overturned gas tanks, etc.

• Watch for weakened roads, bridges, tree limbs or porches which could collapse unexpectedly.

• After power is restored, check refrigerated food for spoilage. (Spoiled food is the cause of much sickness two days to a week after the storm.)

• When reinstalling a CB, TV or satelitte antenna, check in all directions to be sure no power lines are nearby.

• The same goes for climbing trees to clear debris.

• Do not operate charcoal grills, propane camping stoves or generators indoors.