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