Safety

Tips for personal safety, and responding to threats and disasters.

Home

DISASTER SUPPLIES

WATER, FOOD

water -1 gallon per person per day
(2 quarts for drinking)
(2 quarts for food prep/sanitation)
canned juices, milk, soup
staples (sugar, salt, pepper)
high energy foods
(peanut butter, jelly, crackers trail mix)
vitamins
special diet foods for infants, elders
comfort/stress foods
(cookies, hard candy, sweet cereals, coffee, tea)

HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES

plastic plates and utensils
waterproof plastic containers
re-sealable plastic bags
aluminum foil
household chlorine bleach
disinfectant
soap, liquid detergent
toilet paper
small trash bags (for personal sanitation uses)
plastic bucket with tight lid
feminine supplies
personal hygiene items
non-electric can opener

TOOLS

radio (battery powered)
flashlight
batteries
candles
pliers
utility knife
needles and thread
compass
matches in waterproof container
signal flare
whistle
duct tape
plastic sheeting
tube tent
fire extinguisher (small canister, ABC type)
shut off wrench to turn off household gas/water

CLOTHING

at least one change of clothing per person:
sturdy shoes
hats and gloves
rain gear
thermal underwear
blankets or sleeping bags
sunglasses

GENERAL

pets and pet supplies
keys
cash
paper and pencil
phone numbers (carry with you at all times)
change of clothes/shoes (long pants/sleeves)
road atlas
games/books

FIRST AID

sterile adhesive bandages
2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
hypoallergenic adhesive tape
triangular bandages (3)
2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
scissors
tweezers
needle
safety pins (assorted sizes)
moistened towelettes
antiseptic
thermometer
tongue blades (2)
tube of petroleum jelly (lubricant)
cleansing agent/soap
latex gloves (2 pair)
sunscreen

MEDICINES
prescription medicines
medicine dropper
aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
anti-diarrhea medication
antacid (for stomach upset)
laxative
syrup of Ipecac (to induce vomiting if advised for poison control)
activated charcoal (if advised for poison control)

Plan for at least 3 days.

Listen for instructions on the radio.

Stay inside unless instructed otherwise.

Designate safe spots in your home for
each type of disaster.

Determine best escape routes out of home.

Designate meeting points (one near, one far).

Determine how contact will be made.

Have an out-of-town phone contact.

If outside, go uphill, upwind.

-interior room
-no windows
-room with toilet, water, phone
-table or other protective cover
-below ground for radiologic release
-lower floor for tornados
-upper floor for flood
-upper floor for chemical release (chemical agents will sink)
-use duct tape and plastic for doors/windows/vents
-lock doors/windows
-turn off HVAC

PLANNING

SPECIFIC EVENTS
(from Alexandria emergency guide)

STORM
-avoid using corded phone
 (cell phone is ok)
-avoid metal
-close blinds/drapes
 (to prevent flying glass)
-secure outdoor furniture
-fill bathtub or large containers with water
-avoid plumbing fixtures
 (they can conduct electricity)
-go to safe room
-listen to radio or TV for information

FLOOD
-move to higher ground
-avoid drainage areas that can fill suddenly
-do not drive through moving water

TORNADO
-danger signs: dark greenish sky, large hail, rotating, dark, low lying clouds, loud roar, calm before storm
-go to inside room on lower floor; get under a large, sturdy table
-do not open windows
-if driving, get out of car and lie flat in a ditch
-do  not get under an overpass or bridge

HURRICANE
-evacuate if recommended
-if traveling, stay in car
-move to second floor
(above flooding, below high winds)

LIGHTENING
-if the time between lightening and thunder is less than 30 seconds, go indoors until 30 minutes after last thunderclap

GAS LEAK
(smell of gas: rotten eggs)
-do not turn on/off any electrical switches, cell phones or computers
-go outside
-call 911 and report smell of gas

EXPLOSION NEARBY
-leave area and move upwind
-cover nose and mouth, breathing through a cloth
-move at least 10 blocks or 200 yards from damaged buildings

CHEMICAL RELEASE
-move to an upper floor
-move away from windows
- seal doors with towels or tape
-turn off fans and air conditioners

RADIOLOGICAL RELEASE
-turn off air conditioners
-go into a tightly sealed room
-go below ground, if possible
-if you think you have been exposed to radiation, take off and dispose of your clothes and bathe, as soon as possible

If you have comments, or would like to contribute information to this site, please send an email to wisdomtoshare@kittyco.net.

Readiness checklist (National Capital Region)
www.makeaplan.org/

SAFE ROOM

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