Storms Injure At Least Five

EMSA paramedics have provided treatment to a handful of individuals injured in the late Sunday morning storm. At least five individuals have sustained storm-related injuries by early Sunday afternoon.

EMSA treated a woman and girl who suffered injuries when their car hydroplaned on a Sand Springs highway and rolled over; both patients were transported to the hospital in fair condition.

In midtown Tulsa, a chronically ill woman was taken to a hospital after power outages rendered her medical equipment useless, and another woman sustained minor injuries when she fell while clearing downed limbs from her yard.

EMSA paramedics also provided treatment to a 55-year-old man who was shocked while using a chainsaw to clear downed limbs in east Tulsa. He was transported to a hospital in fair condition.

Paramedics also provided treatment to a number of individuals involved in early afternoon wrecks. Storm-related debris and inoperable traffic signals may have played a role in some of those incidents.

• Do not touch any downed tree limbs or power lines. Do not attempt to remove limbs yet; trees and power lines are unstable and may fall. Stay away from fences; energized power lines could activate a fence line throughout a neighborhood.

• Drive slowly and increase your stopping distance. Watch for downed trees and power lines across roads.

• Traffic lights are out at many intersections. Some may not yet have temporary four-way stop signs positioned. Treat all intersections as a four-way stop. Stop, and look in all directions before cautiously proceeding through the intersection.

• If power is out in your home, keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Food can spoil within 4-6 hours. Discard any potentially hazardous foods such as meats, eggs, dairy products and leftovers that may have exceeded 41 degrees Fahrenheit. When in doubt, throw it out.

• Frozen foods in a freezer can normally be kept up to 48 hours without power. A frozen

• Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi, lantern or portable camping stove indoors. This could cause carbon monoxide fumes to build up in a house. Though most carbon monoxide poisonings occur during cold weather spells, you can fall victim during summer months if exposed to fumes.

• Never run a generator indoors or in an attached garage, even if windows are open. Improperly using a generator puts you and your family at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Check on your neighbors, particularly any who may be elderly or in poor health. Spending time at a shopping center, church or other place that does have electricity may be safer and more comfortable.