| Whether at home or work, there is a | | | | inhale gases, fumes, and smoke. If |
| chance you could be impacted by a | | | | possible, cover mouth with a cloth while |
| hazardous materials incident (such as a | | | | leaving the area. |
| chemical spill, train derailment, or | | | | - Stay away from accident victims until |
| industrial explosion). It is important | | | | the hazardous material has been |
| that you think ahead and know what to do | | | | identified. |
| to ensure safety. If you are at work, | | | | If you are in a motor vehicle |
| chances are your employer will have a | | | | - Stop and seek shelter in a permanent |
| detailed emergency action plan and | | | | building. If you must remain in your |
| information for you to follow. But, if | | | | car, keep car windows and vents closed |
| you are not at work - or even if you | | | | and shut off the air conditioner and |
| are, the more you know, the better - it | | | | heater. |
| is vital you are educated on what to do | | | | If you are requested to stay indoors |
| in such an emergency. | | | | - Bring pets inside. |
| Many communities have Local Emergency | | | | - Close and lock all exterior doors and |
| Planning Committees (LEPCs) whose | | | | windows. Close all vents, fireplace |
| responsibilities include collecting | | | | dampers, and as many interior doors as |
| information about hazardous materials in | | | | possible. |
| the community and making this | | | | - Turn off air conditioners and |
| information available to the public upon | | | | ventilation systems. In large buildings, |
| request. The LEPCs also are tasked with | | | | set ventilation systems to 100 percent |
| developing an emergency plan to prepare | | | | re-circulation so that no outside air is |
| for and respond to chemical emergencies | | | | drawn into the building. If this is not |
| in the community. Ways the public will | | | | possible, ventilation systems should be |
| be notified and actions the public must | | | | turned off. |
| take in the event of a release are part | | | | - Go into the pre-selected shelter room. |
| of the plan. | | | | This room should be above ground and |
| Contact the LEPCs to find out more about | | | | have the fewest openings to the outside. |
| chemical hazards and what needs to be | | | | - Seal gaps under doorways and windows |
| done to minimize the risk to individuals | | | | with wet towels or plastic sheeting and |
| and the community from these materials. | | | | duct tape. |
| Your local emergency management office | | | | - Seal gaps around window and air |
| can provide contact information on the | | | | conditioning units, bathroom and kitchen |
| LEPCs. | | | | exhaust fans, and stove and dryer vents |
| You should add the following supplies to | | | | with duct tape and plastic sheeting, wax |
| your disaster kit: | | | | paper, or aluminum wrap. |
| - Plastic sheeting | | | | - Use material to fill cracks and holes |
| - Duct tape | | | | in the room, such as those around pipes. |
| - Scissors | | | | - If gas or vapors could have entered |
| During an incident: | | | | the building, take shallow breaths |
| Listen to local radio or television | | | | through a cloth or a towel. Avoid eating |
| stations for detailed information and | | | | or drinking any food or water that may |
| instructions. Follow the instructions | | | | be contaminated. |
| carefully. You should stay away from the | | | | After an incident |
| area to minimize the risk of | | | | - Return home only when authorities say |
| contamination. Remember that some toxic | | | | it is safe. Open windows and vents and |
| chemicals are odorless. | | | | turn on fans to provide ventilation. |
| If you are asked to evacuate: | | | | - Act quickly if you have come in |
| - Do so immediately. | | | | contact with or have been exposed to |
| - Stay tuned to a radio or television | | | | hazardous chemicals. |
| for information on evacuation routes, | | | | Do the following after being exposed to |
| temporary shelters, and procedures. | | | | hazardous chemicals: |
| - Follow the routes recommended by the | | | | - Follow decontamination instructions |
| authorities - shortcuts may not be safe. | | | | from local authorities. You may be |
| Leave at once. | | | | advised to take a thorough shower, or |
| - If you have time, minimize | | | | you may be advised to stay away from |
| contamination in the house by closing | | | | water and follow another procedure. |
| all windows, shutting all vents, and | | | | - Seek medical treatment for unusual |
| turning off attic fans. | | | | symptoms as soon as possible. |
| - Take pre-assembled disaster supplies. | | | | Place exposed clothing and shoes in |
| - Remember to help your neighbors who | | | | tightly sealed containers. Do not allow |
| may require special assistance - | | | | them to contact other materials. Call |
| infants, elderly people, and people with | | | | local authorities to find out about |
| disabilities. | | | | proper disposal. |
| If you are caught outside: | | | | - Advise everyone who comes in contact |
| - Stay upstream, uphill, and upwind! In | | | | with you that you may have been exposed |
| general, try to go at least one-half | | | | to a toxic substance. |
| mile (usually 8-10 city blocks) from the | | | | - Find out from local authorities how to |
| danger area. Move away from the accident | | | | clean up your land and property. |
| scene and help keep others away. | | | | - Report any lingering vapors or other |
| - Do not walk into or touch any spilled | | | | hazards to your local emergency services |
| liquids, airborne mists, or condensed | | | | office. |
| solid chemical deposits. Try not to | | | | |