Explosions
In the event of a terrorist bombing or accidental explosion, do the following:
1. Leave the area immediately. Do not return later; doing so would increase the risk of danger for rescue workers and yourself.
2. Avoid crowds because they may be targeted for a second attack.
3. Avoid unattended cars and trucks, which may contain explosives.
4. Stay away from damaged buildings to avoid falling glass and bricks. Move at least 10 blocks, or 200 yards, away from damaged buildings.
5. Follow directions from people in authority, including police, fire, EMS, military personnel and supervisors.
6. If police, fire and EMS have not arrived, call 9-1-1 once you are in a safe area.
7. Help others who are hurt or need help leaving the area if you can. If you see someone who is seriously injured, seek help and do not try to handle the situation alone.
8. Try to go to a hospital that is far away from the event. This will increase your travel time, but will cut down on your wait time and may allow you to receive care sooner.
9. Remember that it may be difficult to obtain information about loved ones from hospitals. Set up a system for getting in touch with people, such as calling a point person out of the area, but remember that communication may be difficult or impossible.
10. Go to the hospital or a clinic if you experience the following:
Radioactive Emergency
Radioactive materials can be released into the environment during
a nuclear power plant accident, atomic bomb explosion, accidental release
from a medical or industrial device, nuclear weapons testing, or an act of
terrorism. People who are exposed to radiation have the energy penetrate
the body. Anyone who has had an X-ray has been exposed to radiation, and
radiation exposure is not a serious issue. Radioactive contamination, however,
should be avoided. Contamination is when radioactive material is deposited in or
on an object or person, and is referred to as internal and external contamination.
If someone is externally contaminated they should take necessary precautions
to prevent becoming internally contaminated. Radioactive material can enter
the body through wounds, swallowing or breathing radioactive particles.
To avoid internal contamination after being exposed to radioactive material,
remove clothing and shoes and place them in a sealed plastic bag. If it is too
cold to remove all clothing, at least remove the outer layer. This can eliminate
up to 90 percent of radioactive contamination. Shower with soap and lukewarm
water, carefully scrubbing exposed areas and trying to avoid spreading any material.
In the event of a radioactive emergency, local officials will give an
alert and instructions. They will announce where the radioactive plume is
and what direction it is moving in. If you are outside when the alert is
given, you may need to move indoors to a make-shift shelter. Go to a room
in the middle of the home or workplace, and go in the basement if possible.
Choose a room with as few windows as possible. Before entering the shelter,
turn off fans, air conditioners and forced air-heating units that bring air
in from the outside. Lock windows and doors, and close fireplace dampers.
Use duct tape and plastic sheeting to seal any doors, windows or vents for
a short period of time. Within a few hours, you should remove the plastic
and duct tape in order to ventilate the room and avoid suffocation. Listen
to the radio for updates on the situation and to find out when the plume
has passed your area.
If you are in your car when the emergency alert is given, keep the windows
closed and the ventilation system off. You may be told to evacuate to an emergency
shelter; if you don't have a car, make transportation plans ahead of time.
Think about any friends or family in the area who have limited transportation
options and help arrange their evacuation plans ahead of time. Emergency shelters
will have most of the supplies people need, but be sure to bring an extra change
of clothes and any medications you and your family are taking.
If you live within 10 miles of a nuclear power plant, contact the utility
company that operates the plant to find out what the plant's warning systems
are in case of an emergency.