Storm cleanup can be deadly

• Tweet

NEW YORK, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Experts offered advice for people coping in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, like using hot water tanks as a potable water reserve and avoiding electrocution.

The Family Handyman said people whose access to running water has been shut off due to the failure of electric pumps often forget they've got a several day supply of drinking water in their hot water tanks. The publication also noted more people die of accidents cleaning up from a hurricane than during the storm itself due to things like carbon monoxide poisoning from poorly ventilated generators.

The publication also suggests protecting cuts and scrapes from exposure to floodwater that's likely contaminated with bacteria by wearing rubber gloves while handling things that were exposed to flooding.