The Kitsap Public Health District recently released a news releases giving, “Six tips for staying safe and healthy during storms.”

It says power outages, flooding and sewage can create health hazards around your home in storms.

Tips include:

•Only run generators outdoors. Running a generator in an enclosed space, like a garage, can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and death.

•When the power is out, don’t assume food in your fridge is safe to eat. After losing electricity, a refrigerator will keep food safe for about four hours. A full freezer will keep food safe for about two days. Eating food that’s been too warm for too long can make you sick. When in doubt, throw it out.

•If the area around your well is flooded, your drinking water might not be safe to drink. If you do not have bottled water to drink, you can purify water by boiling it or adding bleach (1/4 teaspoon of bleach for one gallon of water).

•Give your septic system a break during heavy rains. A flooded septic drain field can cause your system to fail and create a smelly, dangerous mess. You can ease the strain on your system by using less water. Simple steps like spacing out showers and laundry loads can help reduce the water draining into your system.

•Floodwater can make you sick. In addition to being dangerous to drive or walk through, floodwater can spread germs and chemicals. Avoid touching floodwater and wash your hands with soap and clean water if you come in contact with floodwater.

•Hold off harvesting shellfish. Stormwater can carry pollution onto the shoreline, making clams, oysters and other shellfish unsafe to eat.