Tips for Safer Driving – General

• Always ensure you are driving at a good distance (at least, two car lengths) away from the vehicle in front of you
• When entering a junction or coming out of minor roads, be sure to check both left and right to see that the traffic is absolutely clear
• Always remember to indicate when going left or right
• Make sure that all passengers are restrained with a seat belt
• Make sure that all children under twelve(12) years of age are appropriately restrained by their age, height and weight, see How do I safely buckle my kids?
• Children under twelve(12) years of age should not be seated in the front seat
• Do not drink and drive. If you drink, be responsible! Make sure you have a designated driver

 

Tips for Safer Driving – When it Rains/Fogs

• Remember to drive slowly. The road becomes dangerous to drive on when it becomes slippery from the rain and spilled oils or when there is debris in the road
• Turn on your headlights. Use your defogger/air conditioner to prevent the windows and mirrors from fogging
• If the road’s edge is not visible, it is best to pull on the left side of the road away from oncoming traffic and turn your emergency/hazard lights on. Before you continue, ensure that the road is visible
• Tips to prevent/minimize loss of property

Hurricanes

• Cut all overhanging tree branches and/or prune large trees on your property
• Clear all drains and gutters around your property
• Make sure retaining walls are in good standing
• Tie down all loose obstacles from around property
• Make sure the galvanize on the roof is fastened properly
• Check hurricane shutters to ensure they are in good working condition

Flood

• Make sure all faucets are turned off overnight, and when the property is left unattended
• Identify ghuts or natural run-offs in your area and determine whether they pose a hazard to you
• Know how to shut off electricity, gas and water at main switches and valves
• Avoid building a flood prone area unless you elevate and reinforce your home
• Elevate your water heater and electric panel to higher floors or levels if they are susceptible to flooding

Fire

Check electrical outlets and lines to make sure they do not have any exposed line, or electrical faults

 

General Tips in the event of a Disaster

• Make sure that your insurance coverage is up to date
• Make a record of your personal property. Take photographs or videotapes of your belongings. Store these documents in a safe place
• Keep insurance policies, deeds, property records and other important papers in a safe place away from your home

 

How do I safely buckle my kids?

Do’s and Don’ts

• Do restrain your child appropriately for his or her age, weight and height
• Do follow directions that come with the child safety seat, as well as the child passenger restraint directions in your vehicle’s owner’s manual
• Don’t put your child in the front seat. Children 12 and under should sit in the back seat appropriately restrained
• Don’t place a child in front of an active airbag because they are made to protect adults, not children. Children 12 and under should ride in the back seat, away from air bags

Infants: Birth until at least 20 pounds AND at least 1 year old

• Use rear-facing infant seat or rear-facing convertible seat
• Route harness straps in lower slots, at or below shoulder level
• Fasten the top of the harness clip at armpit level
• Never place a rear-facing infant in the front seat with an active airbag
• Keep harness straps snug
• Install child passenger restraint at no greater than a 45-degree angle

Toddlers: Over 20 pounds AND over 1 year old; Up to 40 pounds

• (Once rear-facing infant seat or rear-facing convertible seat is outgrown)
• Use forward-facing car seat
• Route harness straps in designated reinforced slots, at or above shoulder level
• Fasten harness clip at armpit level
• Keep harness straps snug

Young Children: Over 40 pounds; Up to at least age 8, unless 4’9″

• (Once forward-facing car seat is outgrown)
• Belt positioning booster seat with a lap and shoulder seat belt
• Place shoulder strap over the shoulder and snug across the chest
• Place lap belt low and tight on hips, NOT over stomach
• Make sure shoulder strap is never across the neck, face or arm

Older Children: Over age 8 or 4’9″

(Once belt-positioning booster seat is outgrown)

Use a lap and shoulder seat belt.

Shoulder belt fits over the shoulder and across the chest.

Lap belt should fit low and tight on hips, NOT over stomach.

Shoulder belt should NEVER be placed under arms or behind back.

 

Commercial Property

Tips to Protect your Business from a Tropical Storm/Hurricane

Have your building/s inspected by a licensed professional to find out if your workplace is vulnerable to the various hazards which may affect the BVI, and request recommendations for retrofitting, if necessary.

• If a storm threatens, secure your building
• Cover windows
• Cover and move equipment/furniture to a secure area
• Always protect your data with backup files
• Store backups at an alternative site (“off-site” location)

Tips for Returning to a Damaged Building

• Keep a battery-powered radio with you so you can listen for emergency updates
• Check for cracks in the roof and foundation. If it looks like the building may collapse, leave immediately
• Enter the building carefully and check for damage. Be aware of loose boards and slippery floors
• Check the electrical system where visible and accessible. If you see sparks, broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If however, you are wet, standing in water or unsure of your safety, do not touch anything electrical. Leave building and seek assistance from BVI Electricity Corporation
• Inform the Insurance Agency. Take pictures of any damage. Keep good records of repair and cleaning cost

 

Personal Property

Tips for Returning to a Damaged Home

• Before going inside, walk carefully around the outside of your home and check for loose power lines, gas leaks and structural damage. If you smell gas, do not enter the home – leave immediately. Do not enter if floodwaters remain around the building. If you have any doubts about safety, have your home inspected by a professional before entering
• If your home was damaged by fire, do not enter until authorities say it is safe
• Check for cracks in the roof and foundation. If it looks like the building may collapse, leave immediately
• Do not use oil, gas lanterns, or candles for lighting inside a damaged home. Leaking gas or other flammable materials may be present. Do not smoke. Do not turn on the lights until you’re sure they’re safe to use
• Enter the home carefully and check for damage. Be aware of loose boards and slippery floors
• Check the electrical system where visible and accessible. If you see sparks, broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If, however, you are wet, standing in water or unsure of your safety, do not touch anything electrical. Leave the building and seek assistance from BVI Electricity Corporation
• Check appliances. If appliances are wet, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. Unplug appliances and let them dry out. Have appliances checked by a professional before using them again. Also have the electrical system checked by an electrician before turning the power back on
• Check the water and sewage systems. If pipes are damaged, turn off the main water valve
• Try to protect your home from further damage. Open windows and doors to allow air to move through

What to do before a Hurricane

• Cut all overhanging tree branches and/or prune large trees on your property
• Clear all drains and gutters around your property
• Make sure retaining walls are in good standing
• Tie down all loose obstacles from around property
• Make sure the galvanize on the roof is fastened properly
• Cover windows
• Check hurricane shutters to ensure they are in good working condition

 

Marine

What to do When there is a Hurricane/Tropical Storm Warning

• Make sure your vessel is securely tied
• Vessels should have regular inspections…
• Vessels should always have Flare guns onboard…
• Fire Extinguishers
• Boat moorings, anchors, chains, cables and ropes should be kept in good condition and rechecked well in advance
• Monitor and listen to the radio for regular weather reports, warnings and Marine Notices
• Remove boats from the water if you can, or take them to one of the approved marine shelters (not on a swinging mooring)
• If possible, move boats on trailers close to house. Fill boat with water to weight it down. Lash the boat securely to the trailer and use tie-downs to secure the entire unit to the ground. Strip off and remove all loose or movable accessories, let the air out of your trailer tires, and tighten tie-downs
• Make sure that you’re your boat or its moorings, anchors, etc. do not block or otherwise obstruct the navigable channel or other access into the mooring or anchorage. Leave room for late arriving boats
• Do not tie-up parallel to the bank or shoreline (receding tides may leave your boat stranded or cause it to capsize)
• If possible, boats should be moored in a group (rafted). Bow lines must be secured, individually tied to trees, piling, or other strong points on land; allowing sufficient slack for rising tides. The stern too should be similarly secured above ground or with an anchor or other strong point on the sea bed. Boats assembled in groups must also be secured to adjacent boats with breast-lines and spring lines forward and aft. Fenders or cushions of car tires should be placed between the boats to absorb movement, impact, and friction
  Mooring lines and cables should be sufficient strength and long enough to absorb any surge or excessive high tides. They must be protected against chafing
• Moor and secure your boat in good time before the advent of the Tropical Storm or Hurricane; then, leave it and do not return to it until the storm has passed and the winds and seas have subsided
• Relatively large vessels may not fit into the listed marine shelters. Their operators should seek other places to safely secure their vessels which are comparable with the respective size and type of vessel, or put vessel to sea in due time to travel away from the storm or Hurricane to avoid it altogether

Tips for a Safer Boating Experience

• Vessels should be equipped with Life Preservers
• Vessels should have regular inspections…
• Vessels should always have Flare guns onboard…
• Fire Extinguishers
• Vessels should be operated only by an experienced captain
• Should have an updated survey (every 2yrs)