|
Be
Prepared
Disaster Services
|
Terrorism Preparedness
Be Ready
Devastating acts, such as the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and
the Pentagon, have left many concerned about the possibility of future
incidents in the United States and their potential impact. They have raised
uncertainty about what might happen next, increasing stress levels.
Nevertheless, there are things you can do to prepare for the unexpected and
reduce the stress that you may feel now and later, should another emergency
arise. Taking preparatory action can reassure you and your children that you
can exert a measure of control even in the face of such events.
The American Red Cross developed specific steps that you can take to be
prepared for the different levels of terror threat as indicated by the
Department of Homeland Security. Find the Homeland
Security Advisory System Recommendations that fit your needs and then
review these tips to be prepared.
What You Can Do to Prepare
Finding out what can happen is the first step. Once you have determined the
events possible and their potential in your community, it is important that
you discuss them with your family or household. Develop a disaster plan
together.
1. Create an emergency communications plan.
Choose an out-of-town contact your family or household will call or e-mail to
check on each other should a disaster occur. Your selected contact should
live far enough away that they would be unlikely to be directly affected by
the same event, and they should know they are the chosen contact. Make sure
every household member has that contact's, and each other's, e-mail addresses
and telephone numbers (home, work, pager and cell). Leave these contact
numbers at your children's schools, if you have children, and at your
workplace. Your family should know that if telephones are not working, they
need to be patient and try again later or try e-mail. Many people flood the
telephone lines when emergencies happen but e-mail can sometimes get through
when calls don't.
2. Establish a meeting place.
Having a predetermined meeting place away from your home will save time and
minimize confusion should your home be affected or the area evacuated. You
may even want to make arrangements to stay with a family member or friend in
case of an emergency. Be sure to include any pets in these plans, since pets
are not permitted in shelters and some hotels will not accept them.
3. Assemble a disaster supplies kit.
If you need to evacuate your home or are asked to "shelter in place,"
having some essential supplies on hand will make you and your family more
comfortable. Prepare a disaster supplies kit in an easy-to-carry container
such as a duffel bag or small plastic trash can. Include "special
needs" items for any member of your household (infant formula or items
for people with disabilities or older people), first aid supplies (including
prescription medications), a change of clothing for each household member, a
sleeping bag or bedroll for each, a battery powered radio or television and
extra batteries, food, bottled water and tools. It is also a good idea to
include some cash and copies of important family documents (birth
certificates, passports and licenses) in your kit.
Copies of essential documents-like powers of attorney, birth and marriage
certificates, insurance policies, life insurance beneficiary designations and
a copy of your will-should also be kept in a safe location outside your home.
A safe deposit box or the home of a friend or family member who lives out of town
is a good choice.
For more complete instructions, ask your local Red Cross chapter for the
brochure titled Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit (stock number A4463).
4. Check on the school emergency plan of any school-age children you may
have.
You need to know if they will they keep children at school until a parent or
designated adult can pick them up or send them home on their own. Be sure
that the school has updated information about how to reach parents and
responsible caregivers to arrange for pickup. And, ask what type of
authorization the school may require to release a child to someone you
designate, if you are not able to pick up your child. During times of
emergency the school telephones may be overwhelmed with calls.
For more information on putting together a disaster plan, request a copy of
the brochure titled Your Family Disaster Plan (A4466) from your local
American Red Cross chapter. You may also want to request a copy of Before
Disaster Strikes...How to Make Sure You're Financially Prepared (A5075) for
specific information on what you can do now to protect your assets.
If Disaster Strikes
Remain calm and be patient. Follow the advice of local emergency officials.
Listen to your radio or television for news and instructions. If the disaster
occurs near you, check for injuries. Give first aid and get help for
seriously injured people. If the disaster occurs near your home while you are
there, check for damage using a flashlight. Do not light matches or candles
or turn on electrical switches. Check for fires, fire hazards and other
household hazards. Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you
smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and
get everyone outside quickly. Shut off any other damaged utilities. Confine
or secure your pets. Call your family contact—do not use the telephone again
unless it is a life-threatening emergency. Check on your neighbors,
especially those who are elderly or disabled.
A Word on What Could Happen As we learned from the events of September 11,
2001, the following things can happen after a terrorist attack:
There can be significant numbers of casualties and/or damage to buildings and
the infrastructure. So employers need up-to-date information about any
medical needs you may have and on how to contact your designated
beneficiaries. Heavy law enforcement involvement at local, state and federal
levels follows a terrorist attack due to the event's criminal nature. Health
and mental health resources in the affected communities can be strained to
their limits, maybe even overwhelmed. Extensive media coverage, strong public
fear and international implications and consequences can continue for a
prolonged period. Workplaces and schools may be closed, and there may be restrictions
on domestic and international travel. You and your family or household may
have to evacuate an area, avoiding roads blocked for your safety. Clean-up
may take many months.
Evacuation
If local authorities ask you to leave your home, they have a good reason to
make this request, and you should heed the advice immediately. Listen to your
radio or television and follow the instructions of local emergency officials
and keep these simple tips in mind:
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and
sturdy shoes so you can be protected as much as possible.
- Take your disaster supplies kit.
- Take your pets with you; do not leave them
behind. Because pets are not permitted in public shelters, follow your
plan to go to a relative''s or friend's home, or find a "pet-friendly"
hotel.
- Lock your home.
- Use travel routes specified by local
authorities—don't use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable
or dangerous.
- Stay away from downed power lines.
- Listen to local authorities.
- Your local authorities will provide you with
the most accurate information specific to an event in your area. Staying
tuned to local radio and television, and following their instructions is
your safest choice.
If you're sure you have time
Call your family contact to tell them where you are going and when you expect
to arrive.
Shut off water and electricity before leaving, if instructed to do so. Leave
natural gas service ON unless local officials advise you otherwise. You may
need gas for heating and cooking, and only a professional can restore gas
service in your home once it's been turned off. In a disaster situation it
could take weeks for a professional to respond.
Shelter-in-place Fact Sheet
If you are advised by local officials to "shelter in place," what
they mean is for you to remain inside your home or office and protect
yourself there. Close and lock all windows and exterior doors. Turn off all
fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Close the fireplace damper. Get
your disaster supplies kit, and make sure the radio is working. Go to an
interior room without windows that''s above ground level. In the case of a
chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some
chemicals are heavier than air, and may seep into basements even if the
windows are closed. Using duct tape, seal all cracks around the door and any
vents into the room. Keep listening to your radio or television until you are
told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for
evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.
Additional Positive Steps You Can Take
Raw, unedited footage of terrorism events and people's reaction to those
events can be very upsetting, especially to children. We do not recommend
that children watch television news reports about such events, especially if
the news reports show images over and over again about the same incident.
Young children do not realize that it is repeated video footage, and think
the event is happening again and again. Adults may also need to give themselves
a break from watching disturbing footage. However, listening to local radio
and television reports will provide you with the most accurate information
from responsible governmental authorities on what's happening and what
actions you will need to take. So you may want to make some arrangements to
take turns listening to the news with other adult members of your household.
Another useful preparation includes learning some basic first aid. To enroll
in a first aid and AED/CPR course, contact your local American Red Cross
chapter. In an emergency situation, you need to tend to your own well-being
first and then consider first aid for others immediately around you,
including possibly assisting injured people to evacuate a building if
necessary.
People who may have come into contact with a biological or chemical agent may
need to go through a decontamination procedure and receive medical attention.
Listen to the advice of local officials on the radio or television to
determine what steps you will need to take to protect yourself and your
family. As emergency services will likely be overwhelmed, only call 9-1-1
about life-threatening emergencies.
First Aid Primer
If you encounter someone who is injured, apply the emergency action steps:
Check-Call-Care. Check the scene to make sure it is safe for you to approach.
Then check the victim for unconsciousness and life-threatening conditions.
Someone who has a life-threatening condition, such as not breathing or severe
bleeding, requires immediate care by trained responders and may require
treatment by medical professionals. Call out for help. There are some steps
that you can take, however, to care for someone who is hurt, but whose
injuries are not life threatening.
Control Bleeding
- Cover the wound with a dressing, and press
firmly against the wound (direct pressure).
- Elevate the injured area above the level of
the heart if you do not suspect that the victim has a broken bone.
- Cover the dressing with a roller bandage.
If the bleeding does not stop:
- Apply additional dressings and bandages.
- Use a pressure point to squeeze the artery
against the bone.
- Provide care for shock.
Care for Shock
- Keep the victim from getting chilled or
overheated. Elevate the legs about 12 inches (if broken bones are not
suspected).
- Do not give food or drink to the victim.
Tend Burns
- Stop the burning by cooling the burn with
large amounts of water.
- Cover the burn with dry, clean dressings or
cloth.
Care for Injuries to Muscles, Bones and Joints
- Rest the injured part.
- Apply ice or a cold pack to control swelling
and reduce pain.
- Avoid any movement or activity that causes
pain.
- If you must move the victim because the scene
is becoming unsafe, try to immobilize the injured part to keep it from
moving.
Be Aware of Biological/Radiological Exposure
Listen to local radio and television reports for the most accurate
information from responsible governmental and medical authorities on what's
happening and what actions you will need to take.
Reduce Any Care Risks
The risk of getting a disease while giving first aid is extremely rare.
However, to reduce the risk even further:
- Avoid direct contact with blood and other body
fluids.
- Use protective equipment, such as disposable
gloves and breathing barriers.
- Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water
immediately after giving care.
- It is important to be prepared for an
emergency and to know how to give emergency care.
Return to Red Cross
Safety Information
|
