home emergency pocket guide

8/11/2019 Home Emergency Pocket Guide

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Find-It-FastThree Steps-3, CPR-4, Choking-7, Stroke-9

PreparePlans-11, Medical Hx-16, Evacuation-24, Action-32

RespondMedical-33, Exposure-66, Terrorist-83, Disaster-94

SurviveGeneral-111, Home-114, Car-122, Wilderness-124

After...General-126, Damage-131, Resources-132

2008, Second Edition Informed

Clear, Concise and Practical

BeforeDuringAfter Guidelines

Home Emergency

Pocket Guide

Published by InformedPublishing, Tigard, Oregon


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PREPAREDNESS

This section contains information and worksheetsyou will need to prepare for virtually any disaster.Take the time nowto read this section with your

family, your partner, or your neighbors, and make yourplan. When facing a crisis later, youll be glad you did.

Create a Disaster PlanFamily Medical HistoryShelter-in-Place KitPersonal Evacuation KitHome First Aid KitPortable First Aid KitEvacuation & CommunicationsPut Your Plan into Action

Create a Disaster Plan

1 Your rst step in preparedness is to create a disasterplan. Follow the instructions in this section, collectand write down the necessary information, perform ahome walk-through and assemble the information andmaterials you need.

2 Once you have done the preliminary work, meetwith your family and friendsand discuss disasterpreparation and what each family member should doduring a disaster.

NOTE:When speaking with small children, try not toalarm them about the potential of disaster. Speak tothem calmly and explain that preparation is somethingyou do just in case, and assure them that everythingwill be ne, even if a disaster does strike.

3 Once your plan is in place, review it on a regularbasisor any time something changes in your family,such as relocation or a child entering a new school.


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Shelter-in-Place Kit

Disasters strike quickly and without warning, and canconne you to your home. Be prepared.

NOTE:Local ofcials and relief workers will be on thescene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyoneright away. During an emergency, you may not be ableto access help for 72-hours or longer. The Shelter-in-Place Kit helps provide self-sufciency and comfort.

Events that trigger Shelter-In-Place orders include:

v Terrorist Attackv Biological Agents

v Chemical Agents

v Radiological Releases

v Overturned Chemical Truck

v Train Derailment

v Pipeline Rupturev Emergency Drills, particularly if you live in a potential

HazMat release area

Your shelter-in-place kit should include:qPortable battery-operated U.S. Emergency All-

Hazards and EAS weather radio, preferably withNOAA channels, with extra batteries

qPlastic sheeting and duct tape, precut to t all windowsqScissors or a sharp knifeq Drinking Water for three daysq Cloth Towels (if youre not sheltering in the bathroom)q Flashlight and extra batteries

q Non-perishable dry snack foods for three daysq First Aid Kitq Personal medicationsq HEPA, N95 or Air-Aide maskq Your plan(s) checklist


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qWills

qDrivers LicensesqBank account

numbers

qCredit card companiesand account numbers

qPassports

qImmunization records

Personal Evacuation Kit

In addition to your Shelter-in-Place Kit, each person andpet in your family should have a Personal EvacuationKit. It should be small and portable so that each family

member can carry his/her own.1Buy a daypack for each personin your family. If youhave a large dog, consider a daypack that stores foodand water for your pet.

2Divide up all of the itemsbetween the familymembers daypacks. Because children cant carry asmuch as adults, you may want to keep a master list

of all the items necessary for your family, and dividethem across all adult members.

Make copies of important records keep them in awaterproof portable container.

qHealth insurancecards

qBirth certicatesqHomeowners

insurance policy

qInventory of valuablehousehold goods

qCar insurance

qSocial security cards

3 Write down all bank account and credit cardnumbersand store them in a safe place where only

you and family members and trusted friends canaccess them.


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Pets

Our animals depend on us for their safety and well-being.When evacuatingtake your pets with you if at all possible.If your home isnt safe for you, its not safe for your pets.

NOTE:At the time of printing, state and federal lawshave recently passed that will provide for animalsin case of disaster; however, few states haveimplemented any specic changes. In the meantime,continue to check with your local Humane Societyto see if they will take petsor to see if new

provisions have been put in place in your state.

Pets can be overcome with fear during a disaster.Approach all petsincluding yourswith caution.If your pet is injured or frightened, carefully coverits head and gently lift. Consider lightly wrappinga cloth around its muzzle to prevent nipping.

Make sure your pet is safe by:

q License your petand make sure a collar containingidentifying information is in place at all times.

q Updating Microchip information(valid contactnumber and address) when applicable.

q Putting information by the front entrance to your homewith information about the pets you have.

q Ensuring your pet is current on all necessaryvaccinationsand boosters and storing these recordsin his Personal Evacuation Kit.

q Having a crate or carrier for transport (one for each

animal, if possible).q Having a Pet Evacuation Kitthat contains:

medications (stored in a waterproof container), a petrst aid kit, sturdy leash and harness for dogs andcats, a current photo of the pet, food and potablewater for at least three days, bowls, cat litter/pan,


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If you are having a heart attack:q Call 911to take you to the hospital.qWhile you wait for the ambulance to come, swallowone regular tablet of aspirinor chew four babyaspirin. Dont take the aspirin if youre allergic to it.q

If you can, go to a hospital with advanced care.

CPR for Cardiac Arrest

If the patient is not breathing (Cardiac Arrest):1 Place the heel of the hand on the

breastbonein: the middle of the

chest between the nipples. Then,stack second hand on top of rst,ngers aligned.

2 Depress the chestapproximately1 1/2 to 2 inches and then allowthe chest to return to its normal

positionrepeat 30 times @ 100per minute3Provide high-qualitychest

compressions of adequaterate and depth with minimalinterruptions until:

medical professionals arrive the patient begins breathing on

his or her own you are too exhausted to continue

NOTE: As a result of studies in 2007, the American

Heart Association determined that hands-only CPRwas acceptable for bystanders performing on cardiacarrest victims. These studies did not indicate anegative impact on a victims survival when mouth-to-mouth was not used.


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CPR for Special Circumstances

CPR for infants (birth to 1 year) Use two ngersfor chest compressions Position ngers on center of

chestCompress 15 times@ 100 permin.

Cover mouth and nosewith yourmouth

Ventilate with 2 puffsof breathto avoid over-expanding lungs.

Use 15:2 ratioCPR for children (1 year to 8 years) Compress the lower half of the breastbone 30 times

with the heel of 1 hand or with 2 hands but do notpress on the bottom end of the breastbone or the ribs

Compress the chest about one third to one halfthe

depth of the chest @ 100 per minute Ventilateuntil you see the patients chest rise. Use 30:2 ratio

CPR for drowning victims Remove victim from water and call for help if available Provide CPRas normal

Give 5 cycles(about 2 minutes) of CPR beforeleaving the victim to call for help Get medical attentionfor victim

CPR for Hypothermia victims Remember that the brain needs less oxygen when

cold. Dont give up without trying CPR. Remove wet clothesfrom the victim; insulate or

shield the victim from wind, heat, or cold. Perform CPRas indicated by age of patient. If possible, have helpers begin to warm patient while

you are performing CPR.


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Decontamination

NOTE: Chemical accidents, viral exposure or terroristattacks may contaminate you and your clothes. Thismakes it necessary to remove and dispose of your

clothing and then wash yourself. This process iscalled decontamination.

Importance of Immediate DecontaminationqTo prevent the chemical from being further absorbed

by the body or from spreading on the bodyqTo prevent the chemical from spreading to other

people1 Remove your clothing.

Quickly cut off clothing that has chemicals on it. Try to avoid touching any contaminated areas.

2 Wash yourself. As quickly as possible, wash any chemicals from

your skin with large amounts of soap and water If your eyes are burning or blurry, rinse your eyeswith plain water for 15 minutes. Remove contactlenses and throw them out. If you wear glasses,wash them with soap and water.

3 Dispose of your clothes.

Place your clothing inside a plastic bag. Wear rubber gloves to handle clothing or putthe clothing in the bag using tongs, tool handles,sticks, or similar objects.

NOTE:Anything that touches the contaminatedclothing should also be placed in the bag. If you wear

contacts lenses, put them in the plastic bag, too. Put rubber gloves in the bag and seal it, and then

seal that bag inside another bag. When the local or state health department or

emergency personnel arrive, tell them what youdid with your clothes.


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TERRORIST ATTACK

Terrorist attacks often most times come withoutwarning. Signal that you are under attack atremor, heard an explosion or crash, hearing or

having difculty breathing or seeing.Identify the EventInitial ResponseBombingBioterrorist AttackChemical Attack

Radiological AttackWeaponry AttackAfter a Terrorist AttackResidual ContaminationDecontamination

Identify the Event: THINK & OBSERVE

The rst step is to observe the situation to determinehow to react:Explosion, blast debris, re, victims near blast site

only = INCENDIARY BOMB ATTACKExplosion, debris, victims who do not appear

injured, dead animals = NUCLEAR ATTACKSudden widespread illness, dead wildlife andvegetation = BIOLOGICAL ATTACK

Trouble breathing, eyes tearing, blistering skin,dead wildlife = CHEMICAL ATTACK

Initial Response

1 Call 911 only once to report what you heard or felt.2 Immediately turn on your radio or television.3 Turn to local stations rst. If the local stations are off

the air, this is likely conrmation of a local attack.

!


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DISASTERS

Disasters can be natural like earthquakesor hurricanes or they can be manmade liketerrorism. No place in the is free from all types

of disasters. Everyone should be prepared. While thereare general precautions you should take for all types ofdisasters, read through the following disaster guides andprepare for the specic types of disasters known to affectyour area.

EarthquakeFireFloodHazmatHurricanePower OutageThunderstormTornado

TsumaniWinter Storm

Earthquake

Fact:Even minor shaking can cause damage, injury,and death. Most quake-related injuries are caused by

buildings or their contents falling on people.

Earthquake Preparedness

qEnsure you have followed the steps in thePreparednesssection of this guide.

qLearn about seismic hazards. Visit the US Geological

Survey website to determine the level of activity inyour area: http://earthquake.usgs.gov

qSecurely anchor itemsin your home and workplacethat could hurt you if they shifted, including: Refrigerators Artwork

!


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14Store rewood 30+ feet away from house or deck.15Learn how to turn off gas and electricityin an

emergency (page 13).16Cover all ues with spark arrestors.17Cover all exterior vents, openings and eves with

metal mesh screens.18Consider installing an interior sprinkler system.19Consider replacing shake roofs and wood siding with

re resistant materials.

What to do During a Fire

1Evacuate immediately when you hear a smoke or realarm. Account for all family members and pets.

2Call 911 from a cell phone or neighbors phone.3STOP, DROP, and ROLL if your clothing or hair

catches on re.4Never pour water on

an electrical re.5If caught in smoke,drop to your handsand knees and crawl.Breathe shallowthrough your nose anduse your blouse, shirt

or jacket as a lter.6If youre forced to walk

through ames, holdyour breath, coveryour head and hair,move quickly, keep

your head downand close your eyes as much aspossible.

7Shut off gas if you smell a leak (smells like sulfur orrotten eggs).


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After a HazMat Release

1 If you are sheltering in place, remain inside until theall clear signal is given.

2If you have evacuated, do not return until local

authorities have said that you can.Hurricane

Fact:Hurricanes produce sustained strong winds andheavy rain, but most deaths are caused by the stormsurge created when the wind drives ocean water inland,

producing a higher-than-normal tide.What to Do Before a Hurricane Strikes

1Follow the steps in the Prepare tab.2Secure your roofwith metal tie-down straps.3Have plywood on hand to cover windows.4Prepare for ooding by keeping valuables on your

second oor or as high as possible.5Prepare for power outages.6Prepare for severe weather.7Locate a safe roomin your home to escape from

hurricane hazards.8Determine escape routes.

What to Do During a Hurricane

1If a hurricane watch or warning has been issued andyou live in a storm surge area, immediatelyevacuateyour family and pets and seek safe ground.

2Secure your home by taping windows or covering

them with plywood secured to the house siding.3Bring your pets inside and put them in a travel kennel

with food and water.4Charge all cell phones before power is interrupted.5Bring anything that can blow away, such as outdoor

furniture, inside.


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After a Thunderstorm

1Continue listening to local radio or televisionstations for updated information and instructions.

2Stay away from storm-damaged areas.

3Watch out for fallen power linesand report themimmediately.What to Do If Someone Is Struck By Lightning:1 Call 911.2Give rst aid. If breathing has stopped, begin rescue

breathing. If the heart has stopped beating, a trainedperson should give CPR. If the person has a pulse

and is breathing, look and care for other possibleinjuries.

3Check for burns in two places. The injured personhas received an electrical shock and may be burned,both where they were struck and where the electricityleft their body. People struck by lightning carry no

electrical charge that can shock other people, andthey can be handled safely

Tornado

Fact: Tornadoes tend to be short-lived events. However,the conditions that create them may persist for days, sobe alert to changing weather conditions. Listen to localradio or televisionnewscasts for the latest information.Look for approaching stormsWatchfor the following danger signs:

Dark, often greenish sky Large hail

A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating) Loud roar, similar to a freight train.

If you see approaching storms or any of the dangersigns, be prepared to take shelter immediately.


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What to Do during a Tornado

If you are indoors:1Go to a pre-designated shelterarea such as a safe

room, basement, storm cellar or the lowest oor level.

2 If there is no basement, go to the center of an interiorroomon the lowest level (closet, interior hallway)away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls.

3Put as many walls as possible between you and theoutside.

4Get under a sturdy tableand use your arms toprotect your head and neck.

5Do not open windows.

If you are in a mobile home:1Get out immediately and go to the lowest oor of a

sturdy, nearby building or a storm shelter.

If you are outdoors:

1Lie at in a ditch or depressionand cover your headwith your hands.

2Do not get under an overpass or bridge.3Never try to outrun a tornadoin a car or truck.

Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.4Watch out for ying debris. Flying debris from

tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.

After a Tornado

Leave shelter carefully; check for debris andweakened structures. Stay clear of collapsed buildings.


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qContinue to keep the house closed offas much aspossible if you are sheltering in place

qCover your mouthand nose with a handkerchief orsurgical mask when you go outside

qAvoid strenuous exercise or activities

qBreathe shallowlyif possible

Water Contamination

After a natural disaster or terrorist attack, assume thatthe water supply is contaminated.

Accidental ContaminationIf the water supply has been contaminated accidentally,you may drink the water AFTER you have treated it:1Boil all waterat a roiling boil for 10 minutes. Add to

the cooling water ONE of these items: Add eight drops of liquid chlorine bleach(such

as Clorox) per gallon of water. Make sure the bleachis 4 percent to 6 percent sodium hypochlorite. OR

Add 20 drops of 2 percent iodineper gallon ofclear water or 40 drops per gallon of cloudy water.OR

Add water purication tablets according to directions

on the package.Let the water standfor at least 30 minutes.

WARNING: Do not use or drink any water that is darkin color or has any material oating in it. Use puriedwater for all personal hygiene, cooking and cleaning.

Terrorist Contamination

If the water supply was purposefully contaminated byterrorists, you must notdrink it or use it for cleaning orpersonal hygiene until the local authorities have deemedit safe to use.


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assigned to your loss/claim. If you dont obtain thisnumber or have misplaced this number, call the HELPLINEnumber assigned to thedisaster.

Getting Back to Normalq24 hours or so after a disaster, continue to take care

of yourselfand your family, and begin to take stock ofthe damage that has occurred.

qListen to the radioperiodically to hear any latebreaking news about help on the way or places to go

for help.qTry to contact your out-of-state friendsand let them

know where you are, and how you and your family aredoing.

qIf you have evacuated, do not try to return homeuntil you have been told it is safe to do so. Dont

become a victim a second time.qIf you have stayed in your home, try to return tonormal routinesas quickly as you cango to bed atthe same times, get up, eat breakfast, etc.

qRemember that everyone is likely to be on edge andoutbursts of anger, frustration, and sadness are normal.

qIf it safe to go outside, check on your neighbors

and relatives. Offering to help others will make youfeel like you are helping to the situation. Similarly, ifpeople offer to help you, take the help and be glad itwas offered.

NOTE:After a disaster or terrorist attack, manysurvivors will suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) after the event. If you cannot sleep, arehaving ashbacks, are suicidal or depressed, seekprofessional help for coping with your stress and loss.You are not alone, and these feelings, though disturbing,are normal and can be treated.


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RESOURCES

National Resources

American Red Cross202-303-4498

http://www.redcross.org http://disastersafe.redcross.orgCenters for Disease Control and Prevention800-232-4636http://www.cdc.gov

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)800-621-3362

http://www.fema.govhttp://disasterhelp.gov

Humane Society of the US (HSUS)202-452-1100http://www.hsus.org

National Weather Service202-482-6090

http://www.weather.govReady.gov202-282-8000http://www.ready.gov

Reallyready.org202-546-3300

http://www.fas.org/reallyready/index.htmlUnited States Environmental Protection AgencyRegional ofceshttp://www.epa.gov

Geological Survey888-275-8747http://www.usgs.gov

National Weather Websites

www.nws.noaa.govwww.weather.comwww.accuweather.comwww.cnn.com


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