Safety experts remind Houston residents to practice chainsaw safety after Beryl – Houston Public Media

Houston-area residents eager to recover from the damage wrought by Hurricane Beryl already face a long list of challenges: near-record heat, humidity, lack of electricity or internet and obstacles on or near roads that were in the storm’s path.

Safety experts urge people with uprooted or damaged trees to avoid adding to that list by knowing the ins and outs of a particularly important topic after a storm: chainsaw safety.

“We know how dangerous they can be. And it’s something that should not be taken lightly: using a chainsaw,” Jordan Herrin, a regional forester with the Texas A&M Forest Service, told Texas Newsroom. “Know your limits, know your skill level and do what’s safe. There are so many things that can be dangerous after a major disaster like a hurricane.”

As crews of professionals work tirelessly to clear roads and repair power lines, some handy Texans are heading into their own yards to clean up whatever debris they can. Herrin said there can sometimes be more than meets the eye when undertaking this task.

“Trees, vegetation (and) power lines – all of these things get into really strange situations,” he said. “And so, usually, it’s not just a matter of cutting down a tree or a few branches. There are new forces that come into play.”

Tens of thousands of people are injured by chainsaws each year, and the risk tends to increase after natural disasters, according to the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionThis total includes 36,000 people per year who require a chainsaw-related emergency room visit.

Herrin urges Texans eager to clean up what they can to heed the advice of the Forest Service, whose websites includes a summary of safety tips for both beginners and experienced users. Advice ranges from wearing protective gear to pre-planning a clear escape route in case of an emergency. People should also keep in mind that not all gardens and trees are the same.

“Just because your neighbors could easily cut down a tree doesn’t mean you can too,” he said. “Thinking before you act is probably the best step you can take right now.”

If a homeowner realizes they can’t do the task themselves, Herrin said contacting an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture is the next logical step.

Disaster declaration to speed recovery efforts

A federally approved disaster declaration announced Tuesday is expected to help address some of the heaviest tasks. The declaration will include debris removal, either through reimbursement or additional resources. The federal aid also includes emergency protections such as reimbursement for shelter or evacuation costs.

Although the aid extends to 121 Texas counties in Beryl’s path, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell said it does not cover damage to individual homes.

“We’re going to have to do an evaluation to see what the impact is. We can always add other programs if we think they’re needed,” Criswell said.