Preparing for and Surviving Emergencies and Disasters
Every hurricane season, there are stories of people who refused to evacuate and later needed to be rescued by emergency personnel, putting all of their lives in danger. There are stories of those who rush to the store to stock up on food and water days before a predicted blizzard, only to complain that the shelves have been emptied. There are stories of those who decide to chase tornadoes, only to have the tornadoes take a direction that was unpredictable and threaten lives. There are stories of people who decided they had to play golf during a thunderstorm and got struck by lightning, and those who never got around to shoring up their heavy furniture before that 6.5 temblor struck.
It doesn’t take much to get prepared. It takes time, which we all complain we don’t have enough of. But it also takes the common sense to know that if we do the few things on each of these before lists, many of which apply regardless of the disaster or emergency, it will not only save time later when we get to the during and after lists but save lives as well.
This section offers some great tips, in alphabetical order, on what we can do before, during, and after a variety of situations. Again, notice that most of the before preparations are the same: mainly getting our emergency kits ready, having a plan of action, and knowing where to go if we need to get out and how to communicate with our families. Each disaster/emergency also requires specific things that we can and must do to get ready.
It is scary to think about the during part, when panic takes over and we feel helpless, even hopeless. But knowing ahead of time what to do once “it” happens can empower us not only to help ourselves, but to take action to help those around us. Then we can do what needs to be done after and learn from what we did right and what we did wrong. Both can offer valuable lessons for the next emergency—and there will be many more.
They say “hindsight is 20/20,” and that may be true, but foresight is where we want the clarity and focus. It’s worth the time.
ACTIVE SHOOTER
BEFORE
Sign up for active shooter training, or watch YouTube active shooter response videos from law enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security.
See something, say something. Be aware of your surroundings and know your environment. If you see something suspicious, call 911 or report it to a security guard or the nearest person in authority.
If you hear on the news of an active shooter situation, stay away!
Have a family plan that ensures every member knows what to do in an active shooter situation.
Wherever you go, be aware of the two nearest exits, make a mental escape path, and look for potential hiding places. Be sure to keep disabled individuals in mind when looking for places to hide or escape, as stairs may not work for them.
DURING
You have three choices. Run, Hide, Fight.
If You Can Run
•Get away from the shooters as soon as possible.
•Don’t worry about purses, laptops, or belongings. Just run.
•Help others escape, but if they are not cooperating, leave them and go.
•Warn anyone about to enter the area to stay away.
•When safely away, call 911.
If You Must Hide
•Find a hiding place out of the way of the shooting, and be quiet.
•Lock doors and windows, close blinds, turn off lights, block entrances.
•Spread out, as trying to hide in groups will be less successful.
•Hide along the walls, under windows, and out of the shooter’s direct path of fire.
•Call 911 or text an alert. If you need to, call the police, but stay quiet and try to whisper the details, but don’t do this if there is a chance the shooter can hear you or your phone.
The Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, was the site of a horrific shooting when security guard Omar Shateen—a man who hated all kinds of minorities—killed or wounded over a hundred people. In this day and age, it pays to be prepared for the unpredictable.
•Do not leave your hiding place until law enforcement arrives and tells you it’s clear.
If You Must Fight
•Be aggressive and act fast.
•Try to knock the shooter off their feet with your body weight or another object.
•Try to work with others to ambush and disable the shooter. Yell to distract the shooter, and then rush them. Get the gun away from them by kicking it while you keep them held down until police arrive.
•Throw items at the shooter to knock them off balance.
•Use lethal force if you have to.
AFTER
Wait for law enforcement to come to you. They may not know you are a victim and not the shooter or an accomplice.
Keep hands visible, empty, and raised so law enforcement knows you are not the shooter!
Follow all law enforcement instructions, and hit the ground if told to. Do not run or you may get shot!
If first responders are not on site yet, try to help the injured.
Apply first aid where needed.
Seek professional therapy or counseling after the event, even if you don’t think you need it. Watch for nightmares, panic attacks, and other signs of trauma.
One of the greatest dangers in a mass shooting may not be the shooter, but the mob of people trying to get away from the gunfire. People can turn into stampeding, panicked animals as they try to find the exits or get out of the facility. You could die under foot in a mob scene. If you can get out quickly, do so, but if you are caught in the mob, try to keep on your feet and let the bodies carry you to the exit. Hold on fast and tight to children, carrying them if you can. People will not care about you or your kids and knock you to the ground just to get themselves to safety. Go with the flow. As soon as you see a break, if you can duck for cover, get away from the mob, and stay covered until you reach an alternative exit.
Once you are outside or away from the shooting area, do not assume you are completely safe. Shooters will track people down in parking lots and outside venues they’ve just shot up. Get as far from the area as you can, call 911, and if you can get to your car safely, get out of Dodge. If you see the shooter coming, you can choose to hide, run, or fight, but be aware that if you are outdoors in the open, you may have fewer options.
BIOLOGICAL ATTACK
BEFORE
Stay tuned to news if there is a possibility of an attack.
Have your emergency supplies up to date, and be sure to have plenty of duct tape, plastic sheeting, and face masks should you need to shelter in place.
Know your evacuation routes.
Have a plan for family members who are not at home at the time of an event.
Report any suspicious activity to your local authorities, especially during high terror alerts.
If you are traveling, do not accept any packages or bags from strangers, even children! Keep track of your own luggage, and lock it before you turn it over to the airlines.
Talk to your family about the possibility of a biological terror attack. Though the risk is low compared to many other disasters and emergencies, it can happen. The more you know and learn, the more power you have when it is time to respond.
Listen for news and instructions on local news and emergency channels.
If told to evacuate, do so immediately, and wear face masks and medical gloves if told to.
If the attack occurs, leave the area immediately.
If you think you have been exposed to a biological agent or may be at risk, cover your mouth and nose, shield your eyes with goggles, and cover any exposed cuts or wounds to avoid contact with a contaminant. If you don’t have a mask, use a cotton cloth, folded T-shirt, or thin towel. Wash any potentially exposed areas as soon as possible, and change clothing.
Put contaminated clothing or items in a bag or container. The container should be approved for bio-hazards, but if you do not own one, use any container or thick plastic Ziploc bag. You may have to improvise.
Know that a gas mask may not protect you from the biological agent, but it can help give some protection.
Keep an alcohol-based disinfectant in your emergency kit.
In the case of a contagious bacterial agent, stay home and stay away from potentially infected people.
Seek help immediately if you were directly exposed or if you are experiencing any strange symptoms.
A maintenance man installs a HEPA filter in an operating room. High Efficiency Particulate Air filters remove fine particulates, including allergens, from the air and can be installed in the home, too.
If you feel you have been exposed, take a cold shower with plenty of soap. Wash your eyes with warm water or a saline solution.
Depending on the suspected agent used in the attack, authorities may have different instructions on how to respond. Do not assume all biological agents are the same!
Consider installing a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter in your furnace return duct.
AFTER
Have clothing and contaminated items destroyed or professionally cleaned. Do not wash them in your washing machine.
Watch for post-attack symptoms in yourself and others who were present.
BEFORE
Have a family plan of action, especially in case someone gets caught out on the road during a storm.
Prepare your home with insulation and weather stripping around doors and window sills.
Test your carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers.
Have firewood stocked, and make sure it is kept dry.
Have space heaters with automatic shut-off switches and non-glowing elements, and keep them at least three feet away (one meter) from flammables, furniture, and drapery.
Make sure everyone knows how to turn off the main water valves in case a pipe bursts.
Have the chimney cleaned and inspected.
Keep cell phones charged, and have a charger on hand that is not dependent on electrical power (solar, battery, hand crank).
Have extra blankets, heavy coats and sweaters, gloves, scarves, and other warm clothing.
Try to stay home! If the weather is too extreme, it’s not worth going to school, work, or anywhere else and risking getting caught out in the cold!
Plan on keeping pets indoors, and make sure they have warm bedding.
If you use medical devices, have a backup plan in case you lose power.
Keep your car prepared by having fluid levels checked as well as lights, brakes, heater, defroster, tires, and windshield wipers.
Keep at least half a tank of gas.
Stock the car with emergency essentials such as jumper cables, water, food, blankets, ice scrapers, and sandbags that can be opened and used for traction on ice.
DURING
Stay inside, whether you are at home or work, until you are told by officials it is safe to travel.
Travel only if absolutely necessary, and try not to travel alone in case you get stuck.
Be careful walking outside on driveways, walkways, and steps.
Only shovel snow if you must. Do not exert yourself in extreme cold.
Wear dry, thick clothing, and protect hands and feet. Mittens are much warmer than gloves, but gloves work better for moving objects or working.
Cover your head to reduce heat loss. The head is a vital area that must be kept warm. Also try to keep extremities warm and dry to preserve body heat.
If exposed to cold, watch for symptoms of frostbite: skin that is white or grey-yellow, numb, and has a waxy and firm feel. Seek emergency care if you can.
Watch for hypothermia symptoms: shivering, extreme fatigue, slurring of speech, dizziness, confusion, and loss of memory. Take the person’s temperature, and if below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius), seek emergency help immediately. You can also wrap the person in a sheet or blanket and soak it with cold water to draw heat out of the victim’s body. Keep pouring cold water on the sheet or blanket.
Do not use generators, grills, stoves, or other items that use gas, propane, natural gas, or charcoal in a closed space. If you do, use them outside, and keep them away from windows, doors, and vents that might allow the spread of carbon monoxide.
If you must leave, make sure the visibility level is safe. Otherwise, stay put until the storm abates. It won’t do you any good to get lost even deeper in the wilderness and make your situation worse.
AFTER
If you don’t have power, and the roads are paved, go to the nearest shelter.
Protect yourself against the elements if you go outside to clear the driveway and other exit paths.
Knock snow out of rain gutters to keep them clear should more rain come.
Look for any structural damage from heavy snowfall to the roof, awnings, carports, and other exposed parts of the home.
If anyone is feeling ill, continue to watch for symptoms of hypothermia. Call for help immediately if they develop.
CHEMICAL DISASTER
Like a biological attack or pandemic, you may not know what is happening until you experience symptoms such as burning eyes and throat, loss of coordination, nausea, and difficulty breathing or see dead birds, insects, and animals all over the street outdoors. Chemicals in the form of poisonous gases, vapors, liquids, solids, and aerosols can spread their potentially lethal toxins before the local authorities have a chance to get the right information to the public, especially in the case of a terrorist or other intentional attack.
BEFORE
Have your emergency kit ready, with plenty of face masks, medical-grade gloves, plastic sheeting, scissors or knife, and duct tape for possibly sheltering in place.
Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer
Every year, approximately 430 people die in the United States from carbon monoxide poisoning, with thousands more going to the emergency room from exposure. Carbon monoxide is the silent killer. It strikes more often during the coldest months of the year but can kill at any time. Most of these deaths are preventable.
Because carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, most people don’t know they’ve been exposed to high levels until it is too late. It is the result of burning fuels in your home, car, and elsewhere—from auto engines, stoves, grills, gas ranges, fireplaces, furnaces, and gas lanterns—that build up indoors and affect people and animals. Symptoms include:
•Headache
•Dizziness
•Vomiting
•Weakness
•Upset stomach
•Confusion
•Flu-like symptoms
Breathing in too much carbon monoxide can make someone faint or kill them, which is why many deaths occur during the night when people are sleeping.
Installing battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home will alert you to increasingly dangerous levels. Some detectors have digital readouts that tell if the levels are too high.
Be sure to keep all appliances, stove, furnace, fireplaces, chimneys, and other fuel-burning sources checked for optimum efficiency, and make sure none of them are near flammable objects when in use. Never use these items for heating in a closed space, and never run your car engine in a closed garage. Ventilation is key when using anything that could emit carbon monoxide, but having working detectors is your first line of defense. If you are on a lower income, check with your local gas and power company to see if they offer discounted or even free carbon monoxide detectors (and smoke detectors too).
In addition to smoke alarms, you should have a carbon monoxide alarm in your home.
Know your emergency plan, and learn how to properly shelter in place.
Tune in to local news if there is word of a disaster, and do as you are instructed.
DURING
If you know the impacted area, get out and away from it immediately.
If the event occurs inside a building, get out, and avoid passing through the contaminated areas.
If you are at home, get out if you can. If you are told to stay, shelter in place.
Close doors and windows, and turn off any forms of ventilation, including furnace, air conditioner, air vents, and fans. Block the fireplace or close the chimney flue.
Seal off the room with sheeting and duct tape, but make sure to first get your emergency supplies like food, water, and first aid.
Listen for instructions on radio, television, or cell phones.
If you are outside in the contamination zone, try to immediately get to an area upwind with clean unaffected air.
If you or anyone else is directly exposed, call 911 or get to a hospital.
Try to avoid anyone who has been exposed to the chemicals.
Remove clothing and items exposed to the chemicals. Do not pull your shirt/top over your head. You do not want to contaminate your mouth, nose, or eyes. Cut the shirt/top off with a knife or scissors if you must.
Put all contaminated clothes and items in a sealed bag or container.
Flush your eyes with water, and wash your hands with soap and water. You can also wash your face with soap and water. Rinse thoroughly.
Eyeglasses must be put into bleach for decontamination. Rinse and dry before wearing.
Contact lenses should be thrown away, as they will be contaminated.
AFTER
Watch for symptoms of exposure, and get help immediately in the days after an event if any pop up.
Clean all surfaces of the house with a bleach product, and wash clothing, even if you were not directly exposed.
You can call the National Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222 if you believe you or someone in your home has been exposed and get information about what to do.
Household Chemicals
Even as we fear a nearby chemical disaster at a local manufacturing plant or a terrorist attack using chemical weapons, we are more likely to experience a chemical emergency involving household products we use every day. Products considered hazardous include:
•Spray paint
•Aerosol cans of hair spray
•Flammable fluids, kerosene, and propane tanks
•Pesticides
•Cleaning products
•Batteries
•Mercury thermometers
•Fluorescent light bulbs
•Lawn and garden herbicides
•Paint and paint thinners
Hazardous products should be kept in a cool, dry place and away from living areas. Keep them in their original containers so you know what they are. Never store them in unmarked containers, especially with children around. Do not mix cleaners and products, as this can be deadly. Dispose of hazardous products properly. Instructions are on the packaging.
Never use aerosols such as hair spray, cleaners, and paint products near an open flame. Check the product to see if it is flammable.
If you spill a chemical product, clean immediately with dry rags. Put the rags outside to allow the fumes to evaporate, then wrap the rags in newspaper or put them in a sealed plastic bag, and put them in your trash can. Never reuse rags used to clean up a chemical product spill!
If any of the product gets on your clothing, throw it away, as the chemicals may not wash out. Wash exposed hands or body parts with water and plenty of soap, and rinse thoroughly. Call the poison control center if concerned, or go to the hospital, especially if your skin burns, itches, or breaks out in a rash or hives.
You should never reuse a rag for other purposes after it has mopped up chemical spills.
CYBER ATTACK
BEFORE
Only connect to the Internet using secure, password-protected networks.
Never click pop-ups, open attachments, respond to spam emails, or download files from strangers.
Type in the URL of the site you want to visit rather than copy a link someone sent you.
Constantly review and update all privacy settings, and change passwords regularly.
Never give out personal information by email.
Password-protect phones, pads, and any device that uses your accounts.
Choose difficult passwords that mean something to you, but are not common, and never use the same one twice.
Watch for any suspicious activity on bank statements and credit reports.
Make sure all software is up to date.
Run a scan to make sure your computer or phone is virus-free.
DURING
Report the incident to the police and the FBI.
If in a public place such as a library, let the librarian or person in charge know immediately.
Disconnect your devices, and power down. Then perform a full system restore to clean out the virus.
If at work, contact the IT department immediately.
AFTER
Change all passwords.
Close any accounts that may have been compromised. Let your banks know.
Contact credit card companies and credit reporting centers to let them know of the incident.
File a report with the police.
Report identity theft to your social security office and to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Also contact the Federal Trade Commission to report identity theft.
EARTHQUAKE
BEFORE
Know your risk. Where are the closest fault lines? Are you in a highly active zone? Are you in an area that experiences major quakes of 5.0 and above? All fifty states now have experienced earthquakes, so you are not immune!
Have all your necessary supplies. Have supplies for the home or office but also for the car if you need to evacuate.
Learn first aid, because there is a risk of injury during a quake.
Make a plan for getting to a safe part of the home, preferably in an interior doorway, up against the door frame, or beside a bed or table (do not get underneath or you can be crushed!).
Know the plan for your workplace or school. If there is none, figure out the evacuation routes, know where fire extinguishers are, and if the elevator is down, be aware of other escape routes.
Retrofit your home by bolting heavy furniture to the walls and using putty to keep breakable vases and decorative objects from flying through the air. Fit cabinets with magnetic door latches or other latches that prevent them from flying open during a quake. Consult with a structural engineer if you suspect your home needs to be evaluated for weaknesses.
If your city has an earthquake drill day, participate! California has a yearly Great ShakeOut day when all participants statewide practice their “drop, cover, and hold” drill for one minute, no matter where they are at the time.
Move objects that have the potential to block exits once shaking begins.
DURING
Stop, drop, cover, and hold. If near a bed or table, duck beside it a few inches below the surface so falling debris hits the surface and not you.
Stay calm. Do not rush for the doors!
Get away from windows and glass cabinets or cabinets with glass inside.
Stand against a wall or sit in a corner, and cover your head.
If in bed, cover your head with pillows, and stay until the shaking stops.
If outdoors, get away from power lines and trees with branches that might fall. Get away from buildings, as the brick and glass may fall. Stay away from overpasses and bridges. If possible, get to an open, clear area, and ride it out.
If you are in your car, stop driving, and stay inside until the shaking stops.
Stay out of elevators!
Once the initial shaking stops, be ready for aftershocks!
Do not use candles or matches. Open flames and gas leaks can lead to explosions and fire.
Stay away from chimneys and brick structures.
If on the beach, get inland as quickly as possible should there be a potential tsunami.
AFTER
Be ready for aftershocks.
Try to get safely outdoors, and watch for broken glass and sharp items.
Stay out of working elevators, as aftershocks might strike.
Check for gas, water, and electrical damage, and shut off gas if you can.
If injured, treat yourself. Check to see if others are injured, and apply first aid.
Do not re-enter a building to get property. Aftershocks may hit, and you could be trapped.
Manually open garage doors and get cars out if there is no power.
Turn on a battery-operated radio for information, or a ham radio if you have one, and do not clog phone lines trying to call people.
If you are trapped and cannot move, shout and bang on objects to get someone’s attention. Do not try to get yourself loose, as you may make your situation worse.
If someone is trapped, and you know how to use leverage/cribbing to remove heavy objects, get help to do so. Otherwise get help.
During cleanup, wear protective gloves, long pants, sturdy shoes (no open toes), and face masks to avoid dust. Do not try to move heavy objects or debris without help.
BEFORE
Have a fire escape plan with your family, and practice. Update as needed. Make sure every family member can identify two exits from the rooms they may be in when the fire breaks out.
Make sure windows are not jammed or stuck in any way.
If you own security window bars, make sure everyone knows how to open them and get out.
Make sure all home smoke alarms are in working order. Test batteries every month. Replace batteries that are not working, and in general replace any batteries once a year. It is best to have both an ionizing smoke alarm, which is more responsive to flaming fires, and a photoelectric alarm, which is more responsive to smoldering fires. Equip your home with both. Smoke alarms should be replaced every ten years.
Keep home heating equipment, including small space heaters, away from flammable materials such as drapes and tablecloths.
Never leave a stove on unattended, and keep cloth potholders away from the flame or burners.
If smoke alarms go off in your home, don’t wait until you see flames; get everyone out as quickly as possible and call 911.
Keep bedroom doors closed at night.
If barbecuing outside, keep the grill at least ten feet (three meters) away from the home and out from under awnings, eaves, and tree branches.
Stay in the kitchen while cooking. If you have to leave, turn off the stove. You can always turn it back on later.
Do not smoke in the home, especially at night, as a cigarette butt that is not completely put out can cause a fire.
Do not ever smoke in bed or burn candles overnight.
Check light switches, and replace any that are hot to the touch or faulty.
Inspect fireplaces and chimneys once a year, and make sure your fireplace screen is strong enough to prevent a log from rolling onto the floor. It should also be able to catch sparks.
Keep matches, lighter fluids, and hand lighters stored safely away from children.
Make sure all combustible and flammable materials are kept away from any heat sources, including those kept in the garage.
Have a few fire extinguishers around the house, and know how to pull the ring and use them!
Have digital backup copies of computer data, personal documents, and professional documents if you work at home, and keep them in a fireproof safe.
DURING
If you smell smoke, and the alarm has not sounded, check out the source of smoke quickly. If you are behind a closed door, put your hand on the door to see if it feels too hot to open. Make sure not to burn your hands on the hot metal doorknobs.
If the alarm sounds, get out even before you see flames.
Crawl low to the ground to try to avoid heavy smoke, and use a cloth to breathe through if you can find one.
Get out of the home, and call 911.
If you are unable to help someone trapped in the fire, you must get out and call for help. Assist firefighters by letting them know who is in the house and where, including pets.
Be careful about trying to be a hero and rushing back in to save someone or a pet, because you may lose your life as a result.
If your clothes catch fire as you try to exit the house, drop to the ground and roll, covering your face with your hands. Roll back and forth until the fire is out. If this is not possible, or if someone else is on fire, you can smother the flames with a blanket or towel and treat any burns by washing gently with cool water for up to five minutes.
Fire FAQ
According to the National Fire Protection Association, an average of seven people die each day from fires in the home. Approximately one of every 338 households report a fire each year, and half of the deaths caused by those fires occurred between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The leading causes of house fires, from most to least frequent, are: cooking equipment, heating equipment, and smoking. Smoking fires are the leading cause of home fire deaths. In the year 2015 alone, fire departments in the United States responded to over 365,500 home fires, which caused over 2,500 deaths and $7 billion in damage.
Chances are, before any other emergency strikes, you or someone you love will experience a fire in the home. Many people still don’t have a plan of action to take in a fire and/or don’t have working fire alarms. Between the years 2010 and 2014, three out of five fire deaths occurred in homes without smoke alarms. Having a working alarm can cut the risk of death in half. The more time you have to be warned and get out, the better.
It only takes about two minutes for a fire in the home to become life-threatening, and only five minutes before the entire structure can go up in flames. Remember, fire is fast, hot, dark, and deadly. It goes from a small fire to a raging inferno much more quickly than you think; it can be 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius) at floor level and over 600 degrees Fahrenheit (315.6 degrees Celsius) at eye level; fire produces thick, black smoke that makes it impossible to see; it is more likely you will die from smoke and toxic gases than the actual flames.
Do not take elevators in a burning building. If stairwells are clear, use the stairs, or use an outdoor fire escape if the stairwells are filled with smoke.
Do not impede firefighters from getting to the building.
Use a clean, dry cloth to cover burns, and never use butter, oil, or an ointment.
Get burn victims to a hospital or call 911.
AFTER
Do not go back inside your home after a fire unless cleared by the fire department.
If your home is unlivable, call the Red Cross for temporary housing, food, and care.
If your home is destroyed, contact your insurance company right away to get instructions for inventorying the contents and getting in touch with fire restoration companies. If not insured, there may be charitable aid organizations you can contact by asking your local fire department.
Contact your mortgage company, and let them know about the home fire damage.
If your house is livable, let the fire department test and restore lost water, gas, and power. Do not try this yourself, as there may be burned wires and mechanisms that could cause another fire or electrocution.
Get professional assistance cleaning up after a fire, as some clothing and other items may not be salvageable even after being washed off. This is especially true for electrical and other fires that release toxic chemicals that do not wash off with water or come out with traditional cleaning methods.
If anyone displays any strange symptoms after a fire, including rash, coughing, sore throat, sores, burning eyes, weakness, and vomiting, get help immediately. This is especially important if the fire was electrical in nature (appliance fires can cause toxins in smoke).
SENIORS AND FIRE
If you have senior citizens living with or near you, pay attention to their needs during a fire. They may react more slowly and not be able to move as quickly, so you must exercise patience, especially if their mobility is limited. Most likely, they will have some type of medical aid, device, or even prescriptions drugs that they must have to ensure their health, so have those in a place they can easily be retrieved from.
Also take into consideration that the physiological makeup of the skin does deteriorate with age, and therefore elderly people are more prone to be injured from burns, as well as smoke inhalation due to limited lung capacity. Sadly, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, 75 percent of seniors who die in home fires did not have smoke alarms or had alarms that weren’t in working condition. If you have a senior relative who lives alone, make sure they have working smoke and carbon dioxide monitors in all rooms. Also be sure they can cook and use a stove and oven without incident, as many seniors may become forgetful and leave the stovetop burner or oven on after they’ve gone to bed.
Many state and local agencies offer free smoke alarms for senior citizens. Ask your local fire department or emergency services office if they can direct you to such a program.
Consider that even in senior living facilities the alarms may not be in working condition, and check the batteries. Talk to facility personnel about what precautions they take for fires and other emergencies and whether the seniors living there have knowledge of the evacuation procedures and locations of emergency supplies. Just because there is someone caring for your senior loved one doesn’t mean they will be available to do so in a disaster.
SCALDING
Although it doesn’t involve actual fire, do you know what to do if a child or someone in your home is the victim of scalding? Scalding liquids are the number one cause of injuries to children in the United States. Often it is just the result of having the hot water temperature too high at the water heater. Look at the temperature setting, and turn it down to a lower or warm setting between 120 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit (48.9 and 54.4 degrees Celsius), or follow the lower, energy-efficient settings on the water heater manual.
Scaldings commonly occur around boiling water in the kitchen. To treat the burn, run the wound under lukewarm water for twenty minutes, make sure no clothes or jewelry are touching it, and wrap in cling film to protect it. Do not use ice water or creams on the wound.
Scaldings can occur in the kitchen, with boiling water, or in any sink in the home. Children should be kept away from stovetops when food is cooking and water is boiling. Always check the temperature of an infant’s or child’s bathwater before you let them enter the tub. Use a thermometer or your hand, and make sure their skin is not exposed to high temperatures. Because the skin of children is thinner, they can burn faster than adults. Never leave children unattended in the tub either, as they can turn the faucets on themselves.
How fast can scalding hot water seriously burn the skin?
120°F / 49°C |
5 minutes |
130°F / 54°C |
30 seconds |
140°F / 60°C |
5 seconds |
155°F / 68°C and higher |
1 second |
Pediatric scaldings, or any scaldings for that matter, are totally preventable. Check your water heater, and keep an eye on any situation involving hot liquids, baths, and sink usage.
FLOOD
BEFORE
Have sandbags to place around your home. You can buy them at a big box home store, or ask your local fire department where to get them. Often they will give them away for free in a potential flood zone.
Check around your home for items that should be brought indoors, such as patio furniture and decorative items.
Listen to your TV or radio for flood alerts and flash flood warnings. Evacuate, if you are told, to higher ground, but often it’s best not to wait until mandatory evacuations. Have an exit plan!
Fire Extinguisher Use
There are several types of fire extinguishers for a variety of potential fire types. Before you buy a few for your home and emergency kits, be sure to know the difference.
Fire Type A: ordinary solid materials. Use a fire extinguisher marked A that uses both water and foam. Water removes heat, and the foam removes oxygen and heat. Use on cloth, wood, rubber, paper, some plastics, and regular combustible fires.
Fire Type B: flammable liquids. Use a fire extinguisher marked B that uses foam and CO2 to remove the oxygen source, and dry chemical Halon to break the chain reaction of fire. Use for gasoline, grease, and oil fires.
Fire Type C: electrical equipment. Use a fire extinguisher marked C that uses CO2 to remove oxygen, and dry chemical Halon to break the chain reaction. Use only on electrical equipment.
Fire Type D: combustible metals. Use a fire extinguisher marked D that uses special agents to remove the oxygen source.
Fire Type K: A special extinguisher for fighting kitchen oil, fat, or grease fires, using a wet or dry chemical.
There are fire extinguishers you can buy that are Type ABC or a combination thereof. It pays to have several extinguishers around the house and in your emergency kit.
How to use a fire extinguisher:
•Call 911 or have someone call 911 as you fetch the extinguisher.
•Stand with your back to the nearest exit and approximately 6 to 8 feet (1.8–2.4 meters) away from the flames. Fire extinguishers have a range of between 8 and 12 feet (2.4–3.6 meters).
•PASS! Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.
•Pull the pin that is inserted into the handle of the extinguisher. Grab the ring and pull the pin out.
•Aim the nozzle away from you and at the base of the fire. Holding the carrying handle with one hand, use the other hand to grab the hose or nozzle. Go for the base of the fire and not the flames themselves.
•Squeeze the levers together to release the extinguishing agent. Apply even pressure as you sweep the agent across the base of the fire from side to side until the flames are out. You can move closer to the fire as the flames die down.
If the flames rise up again, repeat the aim, squeeze, and sweep until they are out for good.
If the flames are too high and you feel in danger, leave the scene and wait for emergency help to arrive.
Only use fire extinguishers for smaller, contained-area fires such as in kitchens.
Disconnect electrical appliances, and turn off gas and power at the main switch/valve before you leave.
Know whether or not you are in a floodplain or flood-prone area, and always be ready to either shelter in place in the case of a flash flood, or evacuate.
If you are driving, turn around, don’t drown. Never try to drive on a flooded road, especially through moving flood waters. Even still water can be a lot deeper than it looks.
Get away from rivers, and do not drive over bridges that are over flooding water. You can get caught on the bridge when fast-moving flood waters begin to erode its infrastructure, taking you down with it.
If in your car and the water is rising, only get out and move to higher ground if the car is not rising with the waters. Never enter moving water. It is safer to stay in your car until help arrives.
If you are camping near a waterway, stream, river, or lake, get to higher, drier ground as soon as possible, as water levels can rise quickly with heavy rainfall.
If indoors, move to the highest floor and stay put. Even six inches of moving water can knock you down, so if you must go outside, do so with extreme caution.
Never walk through standing water, as you can get electrocuted from downed power lines or exposed underground lines. Try to find a way around it.
AFTER
Do not go back to a flooded neighborhood to check on your home until you are told it is safe to do so.
After authorities give the all-clear to return to the flooded area, make sure you wear protective clothing and watch for underwater debris to prevent injury.
Floodwaters can harbor contaminants, so use protective clothing and a mask when going through your home.
Watch for underwater debris, and wear long pants and sturdy shoes to walk through the water.
Call your insurance company immediately, and begin inventorying items damaged and destroyed. Even items not immersed in water can become infested later with mold. Catalog everything on your cell phone with pictures if you can.
Call an expert to service cesspools, septic tanks, wells, and potentially damaged sewage systems and water pipes on your property.
Report downed power lines to the power company and the local police/sheriff.
All of the above applies, but if you live near a dam, you must have an evacuation plan ready, because fast-moving waters could prove deadly. You can find out in advance whether you live near a high-hazard dam by contacting your city emergency services or even your local fire department, as they are also responsible for helping to rescue people during flood events.
Watch local news carefully for information about how close the dam is to capacity, and make plans to leave beforehand.
Have an evacuation plan in order to get you away from the dam and to higher ground. Never head downstream from the flow of water from a burst dam!
If the dam does fail, you will most likely need to evacuate immediately and take with you what you can grab. Have a kit ready near the door or in the car, and follow all directions from law enforcement and emergency services as to where to go and where to avoid rising waters and flowing debris.
HAZMAT
Hazardous materials incidents are similar to both biological and chemical emergencies, with some exceptions. They usually are the result of an accident at a chemical plant, a transportation-related accident, or a leak at a nearby facility and thus are more likely to be reported to the media and law enforcement quickly. Knowing where the incident happened and what it involved right off the bat helps emergency services better tell the public what to do.
BEFORE
Know how to shelter in place, and have an interior room picked out with as few doors and windows as possible.
Show everyone in the family how to operate the home’s ventilation system and close off vents.
DURING
Tune in to the radio, television, or cell phone news service for instructions.
If told to evacuate, do so immediately.
Immediately close windows, doors to the outside, vents, attic fans, bathroom exhaust fans, fireplace dampers, and other openings to the outside.
Shelter in place.
If outside, get uphill, upstream, or upwind from the location of the event. A half mile away minimum is best; go further if you can.
Stay away from and do not come in contact with spilled fluids, liquids, mists, solids, strange gases, fogs, fumes, and smoke. Cover your mouth with a face mask or cloth when passing by a hazmat area.
Seek shelter in a building nearby if you cannot walk at least a half mile away.
If you are stuck in your car, close windows and air vents, and shut off heat or A/C.
Avoid eating and drinking near the contaminated area, as hazardous materials can be airborne and invisible.
If exposed to the hazardous material, use a cloth or face mask, and take shallow breaths. Get help immediately.
AFTER
Follow decontamination instructions by local law enforcement or emergency services personnel.
Seek help if you feel sick or have skin or eye issues such as rashes, itching, and burning.
Put exposed clothing, shoes, and other items in sealed bags or containers.
Once authorities allow you to go home, if you have evacuated, open all doors and windows to ventilate the home. Turn on fans to assist ventilation.
If you need to clean up a contaminant in your home or on your land, make sure to ask local authorities about the proper cleanup methods.
If you smell any strange odors or vapors in the following days, call 911 immediately.
HEAT WAVE
BEFORE
If a heat wave is predicted, be ready. Stock up on extra water, and make sure your emergency kit is up to date.
Be ready for power outages due to high use of air conditioners.
Be aware of seniors, children, pets, and sick people in your family or neighborhood who might need extra help during extreme heat.
Make sure air conditioning ducts are clear and working properly.
Check on your home’s insulation to make sure you have weather stripping that will keep hot air out and cool air in. Check doors and windows.
If you don’t have central air conditioning, install a window air-conditioning unit, and insulate snugly.
Know ahead of time the symptoms of heat exhaustion and stroke, and be aware and ready with first aid training.
Cover windows that receive a lot of sunlight to keep the indoor area cooler, and consider having outdoor awnings and louvers on windows to prevent heat from entering the home.
Pay attention to weather alerts for heat advisories and warnings. The National Weather Service will issue alerts as follows:
Heat Wave—prolonged, excessive heat, sometimes combined with high humidity levels
Excessive Heat Watch—Indicates that conditions for an extreme heat event are high within the next 24- to 72-hour period.
Excessive Heat Warning—At least two days of an extremely high heat index, heat along with humidity, that exceeds daytime highs of 105–110 degrees Fahrenheit (40.6–43.3 degrees Celsius).
Know where the “cool zones” are in your neighborhood in case you need to get to them.
In extreme heat events, consider keeping children home from school, as many schools have inadequate air conditioning. Many schools do close early in heat waves.
DURING
Stay indoors if you have fans or air conditioning. Avoid all activity outdoors, especially in direct sunlight.
Drink water and stay hydrated! Avoid caffeine and sugary drinks! No alcohol. This has a dehydrating effect.
Never, ever leave a pet or child locked in a car, even with a window cracked open.
Dress in loose-fitting, light clothing.
Never leave a child or pet unattended in a hot car even for a few minutes!
Avoid exercise during peak hours of sun and heat, or exercise indoors.
Avoid using the oven for cooking.
Be sure to replace salt and minerals with energy drinks or electrolyte drinks, because sweating causes the depletion of electrolytes.
Stay on lower floors of homes or offices, as heat rises.
Check on any family, friends, or neighbors who may need extra care during an extreme heat event, especially the elderly and sick. Look for symptoms of heat-related issues:
Heat Exhaustion Symptoms
•Dizziness
•Headache
•Weakness
•Cramps
•Nausea, vomiting
•Fast heartbeat
Heat Stroke Symptoms
•Red, hot, dry skin
•High temperature
•Confusion
•Convulsion
•Fainting
If you or anyone else exhibits these symptoms, call 911 or get to a hospital. Heat exhaustion must be treated as soon as possible, or the condition will worsen. Heat stroke can be deadly, so you must act fast because of the potential for brain damage if the body is not cooled quickly. Move the person to a cool, shaded area, and fan them or spray with cool water. You may want to get them into a tub or shower of cool water. Monitor their temperature until help arrives or until you can get them to a local hospital, but do not give them fluids to drink. This may sound counterintuitive, but it can cause even more stress to the body, and that can be dangerous. If instructed by a 911 operator to give fluids or try any other cooling method, follow their guidelines for what to do.
AFTER
Restock water in your emergency kits as well as other supplies used during the heat event. Be ready for the next wave, especially during the summer and early fall months. Monitor local news for future weather alerts.
Continue to monitor others for belated signs of heat exposure, and get help. Ask children how they feel, because they may appear drowsy but in fact be reacting to extreme heat.
HURRICANES
BEFORE
If you live in a hurricane region, you should have at least two weeks’ worth of food, water, and supplies. A month’s worth is even better.
Have a bug-out bag filled with supplies in case you are asked or ordered to evacuate. Be sure to include medical information and prescriptions in case you need to be at a shelter for more than a few days.
Know your evacuation routes, and have alerts on cell phones. Once the local news begins reporting a potential hurricane, be ready to leave, and leave when told. Don’t put yourself in danger trying to “defend” your home, and please don’t put first responders in danger by making them rescue you when you realize later you should have left. Evacuate.
If you are not in an evacuation zone, board up or cover windows, and get into a center room or a strong room with no windows to avoid broken glass from high winds.
Charge all cell phones, and keep chargers and batteries with your bug-out bag/kit.
If the power goes off, you may still be able to text and use your cell phone and social media to communicate with others, but be prepared to be out of communication during the peak of the storm.
Remove tree branches that can fall onto your home ahead of time. Clean out gutters, and use sandbags near your home if heavy rains are expected.
Bring patio furniture, planters, garbage cans, decorative items, and other outside objects that could become dangerous projectiles in high winds into the garage.
States where hurricanes are fairly common will have predetermined evacuation routes marked by signs such as this one along roads and highways.
Retrofit roof tiles (and look for potential leaks), windows, and doors, including garage doors, to withstand heavy rains and high winds. The roof is most critical, as a strong roof serves as your first line of protection against the high winds and flying debris.
Consider a generator for power, and follow all safety instructions.
DURING
If told to evacuate, even if it is not mandatory, do so. Better safe than sorry, and if there is a worst-case scenario, better alive and away from home than at home and without aid. Do not put first responders in danger by making them come for you when you were told to leave. Please consider the safety of others as well as your own.
Stay tuned to weather reports on television, radio, cell phone, or ham radio.
If you are stuck inside a building, close windows and doors to the outside, then get away from windows, watch for flooding on bottom floors, and hunker down in an interior room with no windows if possible.
Close all interior doors of the house or building you are in. This helps compartmentalize the tremendous pressure inside the home into smaller areas during high winds and can keep strong upward pressure from blowing the roof off.
Stay away from coastal areas, as storm surge can be deadly.
Do not go outside during severe thunderstorms and high winds.
Watch for tornado alerts, which often accompany hurricanes.
AFTER
Let family and friends know you are alive and well. You can do this via text, social media, or any other method.
Do not go home unless cleared by authorities. Flooded neighborhoods may be too dangerous to enter.
Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters, as downed power lines could make them electrically charged. Never drive through moving floodwaters.
Take pictures or video of damage to your home for your insurance company.
Restock any emergency supplies used during the hurricane immediately.
Be ready for additional rainfall and flooding if the hurricane downgrades to a tropical storm and is slow-moving enough to deposit heavy rains.
Clean up any debris and water damage, and wear protective gloves, clothing, and a dust mask.
Natural Gas
Though it may not qualify as a disaster, natural gas incidents can cause devastating explosions and destroy homes and lives. Natural gas is a fuel, and it is safe during normal transportation and use. But when natural gas leaks from pipes or appliances, it becomes deadly, so you must know what to look for. Add to that the carbon monoxide produced by natural gas, and because these gases are often colorless, odorless, and undetected, you may not know there is a problem until it is too late.
Tips: Check pilot lights and burners, and make sure the flame light is approximately 90 percent blue. If it is yellow, that means the appliance is not working correctly. Call a service tech immediately, as it could be giving off fumes. However, not all gas appliances will have a visible pilot light. Ash and soot around pilot light openings and air ducts, any strange odors or noises from the appliance, and a long warming time are signs of a problem. Nowadays, a chemical called mercaptan is added into natural gas so that there is an odor you can identify when there is a leak, but in its natural state, natural gas has no smell.
Keep kitchen ranges clean, and never use a gas stove to heat a room, as it can produce carbon monoxide.
Have larger gas appliances serviced regularly.
Keep children away from gas appliances.
Do not wear loose clothing that can be ignited by flames while you are cooking.
If you smell a strong odor, leave the home and call 911 immediately.
If your pilot light has gone out, you can relight it by turning the appliance off, then following manufacturer instructions. If it won’t relight, or you are uncertain what to do, call your local gas company for assistance. Don’t try to tamper with it yourself.
PANDEMIC
BEFORE
Get a flu shot if your doctor so advises. Flu shots are not advisable for everyone and don’t fight the most current mutation of the flu, but they can be effective at stopping the most common flu bugs and decreasing the severity of the current strain.
Stay healthy and keep your immune system strong. Consider taking vitamins and minerals. Obviously, eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, and exercise your body to maintain a powerful immune system. Sometimes common sense is the best advice.
Keep a supply of over-the-counter drugs that fight colds, fevers, and pain, stomach remedies, and cough and cold medicines. Also keep some fluids with electrolytes, such as Gatorade, Powerade, and electrolyte waters, as these can be helpful if vomiting and diarrhea become a problem.
When you sneeze, sneeze into the crook of your arm. If you sneeze into your hands you might forget there are germs there when you shake hands with someone or touch objects that others may use.
Have copies of your updated medical records, and keep them on a flash drive.
Buy some N95 face masks to keep on hand in case a pandemic breaks out.
DURING
Stay away from areas where large groups of people gather. Wear your N95 if you must come in contact with others.
If you know someone who is sick, keep your distance, and wash your hands if you must handle anything that belongs to them.
Wash your hands often during a pandemic, and try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
Call for help if you suspect that you or a loved one has been infected.
Drink plenty of fluids, especially water and electrolyte drinks if you are vomiting and sweating.
Once the virus or agent is identified, follow the instructions of local authorities, including where and how to get a vaccine if one is available.
If symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the hospital, but wear your mask to avoid spreading germs to others.
AFTER
Keep your immune system strong by eating right, drinking fluids, and getting adequate sleep, because you may be taking care of others who are still sick.
POWER OUTAGE
BEFORE
Have enough emergency supplies for a short- or long-duration event, including food and water.
Remember to plan for pets.
Check home circuit breakers and fuses if the power is only out in your home.
Stock up on batteries for flashlights, cell phone batteries and chargers, solar powered chargers, and candles and matches.
Buy a small generator, but learn about different fuel choices, some of which are dependent on electricity.
Know how to open your garage door manually if you need to leave.
Freeze water in bags or make extra ice ahead of time to help keep perishables cold. Buy dry or block ice to store in the freezer.
Keep your car’s gas tank as full as possible. Do not run the car engine in the garage or near the home in a partially enclosed area if you are using it to charge devices and appliances.
If you need power for medical devices and don’t have a generator, know where the nearest hospital is.
Make sure your exterior home address numbers are visible from the street for emergency vehicles should you need them.
DURING
Use flashlights first. Candles are for backup only, as they can cause accidental fires if left unattended.
If you have a ham radio or battery-operated radio, or if cell phone service is on, listen for instructions and information about the outage and how long it might take to restore power.
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. If you must take out food, do so quickly. An unopened refrigerator can store food safely for up to four hours, and each time you open it, you cut that four hours down.
If the outage occurs during a heat wave, go outdoors or to a cool zone, a theater, or a restaurant where there is power to stay cool.
Drink water and stay hydrated, even if you are not thirsty. Avoid liquids with caffeine and sugar. Do not drink alcohol.
Dress according to the weather, especially at night, when you will not have power to heat or cool your home.
Do not use a gas or charcoal grill inside a home or building.
Disconnect appliances, computers, and equipment to avoid the power surge when power is restored. That surge can be damaging to components.
If using a generator, keep it outside the home. Do not use it in a garage.
If driving, remember that traffic lights will be down, and use rules of the road and common sense.
Check on elderly or sick neighbors to see if they are doing okay, especially if they use medical devices that rely on electricity.
Throw away food that has been exposed to temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius) for more than two hours. If it looks, feels, or smells bad, toss it. If in doubt, throw it out!
Restock your emergency kit with any supplies used during the event.
If you think refrigerated medications may be spoiled, do not take them, and contact your doctor immediately.
SPACE WEATHER EVENT
BEFORE
It is difficult to predict a space weather event, but because of our dependence on technology, we should be aware and ready. A solar storm or geomagnetic storm could wreak havoc on our way of life. Most of the effects of space weather, such as geomagnetic storms, cause a decrease in F-region electron density. This means a lowering of the maximum usable frequency of a radio’s path between two points on earth, resulting in communications difficulties even on shortwave radio. Other potential effects could tamper with power grids.
In case the power grid goes down, have candles, flashlights, and generators in your supply kit or pantry.
Keep a solar-powered cell phone charger, or get a ham radio license in case cell phone service is cut off. Also keep a stockpile of extra batteries for the phone and flashlights.
Monitor local news on radio, television, cell phone, or ham radio.
Stay indoors unless told otherwise by local authorities.
Keep your car gas tank at least half full at all times.
Know how to manually open your garage door if you need to leave.
If you own a traditional landline phone, have at least one corded receiver in case the power goes out.
Back up digital data often, at least on a weekly basis.
DURING
Listen to the Emergency Alert System instructions.
Do not use the telephone unless it is an emergency. Keep lines clear for emergency services.
Use as little power as possible to help the power company avoid a rolling blackout. If instructed to, disconnect and unplug all electrical appliances, computers, and other items to save power.
If the power has been down for days, throw away food kept in the refrigerator and freezer.
Replenish water, food, and supplies used during the event.
(More on catastrophic space weather in the next chapter.)
TERRORIST ATTACK
Terrorist attacks can be a variety of scenarios, from active shooter events to bombings to receiving anthrax in the mail. It is hard to predict when they will occur, how they will occur, and where they will occur. Terrorists use the element of surprise for a reason, because it doesn’t give victims time to react.
The most prevalent scenarios are shootings and bombings, and the before, during, and after plan for active shooters is almost identical. But because bombings are a consideration, there are some tips that can help you avoid becoming a victim.
If you are going to another country, it is critical you learn their customs, beliefs, and even their cultural etiquette to avoid doing something that might bring you unwanted attention. Because most terrorism occurs outside the United States, we forget that our behaviors and actions make a difference in other countries, and what may seem insignificant and normal to us can come across as offensive, even threatening, elsewhere in the world. Also know that most terrorist attacks occur in high-traffic areas, including tourist spots. It might behoove you to read up on news about the area you are traveling to so you can know which places to avoid.
An abandoned bag at an airport or other public place is an object for immediate suspicion. Always be aware of your surroundings and be vigilant of such potential dangers.
Here at home, it is all about being aware of your surroundings, especially in a crowd, such as at a sporting event, concert, or shopping mall. Knowing what normal is can help you spot something abnormal quickly. Knowing where the exits are, what hiding places are available to you, and what you might use as a weapon if you have to fight for your life can save your life. Take the time to look around and make some fast observations, because in an active terrorist attack, you have the choice to flee, fight, or hide, depending on the number of terrorists, the type of attack, and where you are when it happens.
In order to do this, you must be paying attention. Too many of us are caught up in conversation with friends, burying our noses in our cell phones, or just not being aware of the potential threat in the first place. Being aware of the present surroundings is key, but how often are we?
Some tips for home and abroad:
•If it seems strange, report it.
•Look for packages and luggage left unattended and out in the open. Report them to authorities.
•Plan routes ahead of time, including exits, escape routes, and hiding places.
•Be aware of people carrying large backpacks or wearing oversized clothing.
•Use your gut instinct, and if something is out of place, get away from it.
•If a bomb goes off, hit the floor or get behind something sturdy. Report it immediately to 911.
•If you can run out an exit, do so, but be sure that exit doesn’t lead you towards more terrorists.
•If you must fight, do it with everything you have, and use whatever you can as a weapon.
•If a grenade is tossed in your vicinity, run or hide behind a wall or sturdy cover.
•If caught in gunfire, run in a zigzag pattern until you can either get to an exit or a good hiding place.
Terrorist attacks often occur in waves, so just because you survived the first attack does not mean you are out of danger. Get out, hide, call for help, stay away from the area of the initial attack.
If you are taken hostage, do what you are told to buy time. This is a tricky situation, as you may want to try to escape or fight, but depending on how many terrorists there are, you may be better off submitting and staying quiet. If you have access to a weapon, such as a large shard of broken glass or chunk of wood, you can fight back, especially if you are in great shape, bigger than the terrorist, or can get others to fight with you against a small number of terrorists. This is a personal choice you must make in the heat of action! Can you survive if you fight? Do you have loved ones with you to protect as well? No book can make this decision for you. Use your best and fastest judgment of the situation. The same would go for being in a bank robbery or similar situation, which are terrorist attacks on a smaller scale.
If a shooting or bombing occurs indoors, get outside and away, and hide, then call 911. Try to avoid running away in the open as gunmen may see you and shoot.
Threat |
Explosive Capacity |
Building Evacuation Distance |
Outdoor Evacuation Distance |
Pipe bomb |
5 lbs/2.27 kg |
70 ft/21 m |
850 ft/259 m |
Backpack/briefcase |
50 lbs/22.7 kg |
150 ft/46 m |
1,850 ft/564 m |
Compact car |
500 lbs/227 kg |
320 ft/98 m |
1,500 ft/457 m |
Sedan |
1,000 lbs/454 kg |
400 ft/122 m |
1,750 ft/533 m |
Van |
4,000 lbs/1,814 kg |
600 ft/183 m |
2,750 ft/838 m |
Small delivery truck |
10,000 lbs/4,536 kg |
860 ft/262 m |
3,750 ft/1,143 m |
Moving van/truck |
30,000 lbs/13,608 kg |
1,240 ft/378 m |
6,500 ft/1,981 m |
Semitrailer |
60,000 lbs/27,216 kg |
1,500 ft/457 m |
7,000 ft/2,133 m |
Courtesy of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), Office of the Director of National Intelligence
If the danger is outside, stay in the building, and get to an interior room, closing and locking doors and windows on the way. Call for help immediately. Shut off vents to the room in case of a biological or radiation dispersal attack. Stay quiet.
THUNDERSTORMS AND LIGHTNING
BEFORE
When a storm is predicted for your area, make sure you have supplies of extra food, water, batteries, and candles for possible power failures.
Clear out rain gutters, cut down tree branches near the house, and check windows for leaks if heavy rains are expected. Use sandbags if flooding around your home is a possibility.
Secure outdoor furniture, planters, and other objects against potential high winds.
Rubber-soled shoes give you protection from lightning!
Never plan a trip to the beach if thunderstorms are in the forecast.
Use the 30/30 plan when a storm first begins. If you see lightning strike, but can’t count to 30 before you hear thunder, then get indoors.
Listen for alerts on television, radio, cell phone, or ham radio, and keep abreast of the storm’s intensity and location.
Have umbrellas in the car in case you need to travel during the storm.
DURING
When thunder roars, go indoors! Don’t stay outside to watch for lightning, or you may end up being struck by it!
If You’re Present during an Attack
Three rules of a terrorist attack or getting caught in a crime such as a bank robbery:
•Try to Identify the Threat Beforehand
•Locate Exits and Hiding Places
•Ascertain Whether You Can Run or Must Stay and Fight/Submit
Even in a bank robbery, you will have to engage in situation awareness. Does someone look out of place? Nervous? Anxious? Jittery? Are there several people that look as though they are scoping out the place, perhaps about to commit a crime or terrorist act? Does anyone have a package or backpack on them, or are they dressed in heavy clothing that could conceal weapons?
If something does happen, you may do everything in your power to submit to their orders, lie on the ground, and be quiet—and survive or not. You may run and hide and fight back—and survive or not. In such spontaneous situations, survival often comes down to immediate responses, so it is imperative to control panic and try to keep a clear mind. Many people report that during a crime or terrifying situation, they actually become very clear and focused and eerily calm. Use that to your advantage when deciding the best course of action to take based on the situation and your surroundings.
Often people freeze during a disaster. This is a natural neurological response to extremely fearful situations. You cannot afford the luxury of even a few seconds of paralysis and wasted time. Be ready to act and use the knowledge you have gleaned to do so with a purpose: surviving.
Remember. Escape. Hide. Take out the threat. Those are your choices.
Stay inside until thirty minutes after the last clap of thunder you hear.
Stay away from windows and doors.
Unplug items from electrical outlets that might be affected by a power surge from lightning. Do not use your computer during a severe storm with plenty of lightning.
Unplug appliances, and do not touch electrical equipment, even plugged- in cords.
Faucets should not be used during a storm, as they conduct electricity. Do not use sinks, bathtubs, and showers.
Do not do laundry or touch pipes, as they too conduct electricity.
Do not use corded phones or items being charged electrically. Use a cordless or cell phone if you must call for help.
If stuck outdoors, take cover in a safe area. Do not sit or lean against concrete walls, as they conduct electricity.
Do not wait out the storm under power lines or heavy tree branches that could break due to rains and winds.
Hiding under a tree during a thunderstorm is a bad idea. Trees can serve as lightning rods, and branches can break off and strike someone standing underneath.
Stay away from open fields, the beach, golf courses, and tall trees or objects such as flagpoles if you are in an open area. Lightning will strike the tallest target, and that might be something near you. It also might be you! Get down on the ground if you are stuck in an open area.
Avoid touching metal objects when outdoors.
Hide inside a hardtop car, not a convertible. You are much better off inside a car than outside one during lightning strikes.
If you are driving on the freeway, drive safely until you can exit and park. Stay inside your car, and turn your emergency flashers on. Try not to touch any metal objects in the car.
Do not hide inside a building or shed in an open field.
If you are out camping or hiking in the words, seek shelter in a low area, like a ditch or ravine, or underneath thick brush or small trees. Do not lean against the tallest tree, as it will act as a lightning rod.
If you are in open water, try to get to land and shelter as soon as possible.
Try to comfort pets, and keep them indoors under your control.
AFTER
If you go outside, watch out for fallen branches, debris, and downed power lines.
Avoid waterways such as streams, creeks, and rivers that may have crested from heavy rains.
If someone has been struck by lightning, call 911 and check their breathing, heartbeat, and pulse. If they are not breathing, administer mouth-to-mouth. If there is no heartbeat, administer CPR. Check for burns at the entry and exit points the lightning may have taken. Observe the victim. There can be damage to their nervous system and eyes as well as internal injuries that are not obvious at first glance.
Avoid flooded roads if out on the road, and listen to the radio for weather updates. Storms can occur solo or as part of a cluster or line, and tornadoes are also a possibility.
Stormy Days
The average thunderstorm occurs during warm and humid conditions. It doesn’t last long, usually a half hour to an hour, but can produce very heavy rainfall. Some storms produce hail and are accompanied by high winds and wind gusts. Other storms stall over one area and can produce flash flooding.
Approximately 10 percent of thunderstorms develop into severe storms that can spawn hail and tornadoes.
Lightning can occur up to ten miles (16 kilometers) away from actual rainfall.
The majority of lightning-strike deaths occur outdoors during summer afternoons and evenings, when people are likely to be outside.
Someone who is struck by lightning will not carry an electrical charge.
Your chance of being struck by lightning is about 1 in 600,000.
Lightning goes for the “rod” or tallest object in an open area.
TORNADO
Tornadoes may not strike as wide an area as hurricanes, but they can do amazing amounts of damage and cause loss of life. The United States experiences approximately 1,200 tornadoes each year, most of which occur east of the Rockies and mainly in the Midwest, the South, and the Gulf Coast area. But they can happen anywhere, even in California! Because they are often a part of a larger thunderstorm system, they can make an already dangerous situation even deadlier.
Tornadoes can strike fast, and you may not see one until it begins to pick up debris, dirt, and dust. They move fast and often in a southwest to northeast pattern. Winds can approach 300 miles per hour (48 kph) and can destroy buildings and bridges, uproot trees, and lift heavy vehicles.
Tornado season is mainly in the spring and summer, but they can happen at any time if weather conditions are ripe. The magic hours appear to be between 3:00 P.M. and 9:00 PM, but they can occur at any time. Tornadoes over the water are called waterspouts and can often touch down on shore and cause damage along beaches and coastal areas.
BEFORE
Find a safe room, or have a storm cellar that is fortified against tornadoes. Keep supplies there.
If you live in a tornado-prone area, check your school or office building for an emergency plan, shelter areas, and evacuation routes. Also know where emergency shelters are located.
Keep up on weather alerts if a storm is coming that could spawn tornadic activity. Watch for the signs of an imminent tornado:
•Dark grey sky, can have a greenish cast
•Large hail
•Large, dark, low clouds
•Cloud rotation
•A loud roar that sounds like a train coming towards you
•The beginnings of a funnel formation
DURING
Take cover immediately, preferably inside a storm cellar, safe room, or an interior room of the building. Avoid windows and doors.
If in a high-rise, seek cover in an interior room or even a stairwell.
Get under a sturdy table or desk, cover your head, neck, and body as best you can, and if you have blankets or jackets, cover yourself with those. Protect yourself from falling debris.
If outside, get into a vehicle, and cover your head with your arms, coat, jacket, or blanket.
Never take cover under a bridge or an overpass as they do in the movies. You are actually safer lying down in a low, flat location. Look for a ditch or ravine.
If you are in a car and a tornado is almost upon you, don’t try to drive away. Get out of the vehicle, and look for a sturdy building to hide inside of.
If you are stuck outside in a field or open area, lie down and avoid flying debris. Cover your head with your arms, a jacket, or whatever you have with you (backpack, laptop bag).
AFTER
If you are indoors, watch out for fallen power lines and debris when you go outside. Make sure the structure you are in is safe to move around in first!
If you are trapped by debris, call for help out loud or tap on a pipe. Do not move or you can make your injuries worse.
Stay away from damaged buildings, including your own home. Wait for help to arrive, and follow the instructions of authorities.
Once your home is said to be safe, photograph or videotape the damage for insurance purposes.
Do not attempt cleanup without first getting the approval of authorities. Wear an N95 face mask, heavy work gloves, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and closed-toed boots or sneakers, and watch for sharp objects.
Replenish batteries and other supplies used during the storm or any power outage. Try to avoid candles, as there may be a gas leak nearby.
Let family and friends know you are okay. If phones are down, perhaps you can report in on social media.
VOLCANIC ERUPTION
This section focuses on volcanoes. We will address supervolcanoes in the next chapter. If you live near a volcano, especially an active one, you must be aware that volcanic eruptions can also result in earthquake activity, mudslides, fires, flash floods, mudflows, and of course lava flow.
BEFORE
Build your emergency supply kit. Be sure to include goggles and face masks for each member of the family, because ash fall will be a major hazard.
Have a plan if you and your family are going to be together, and a meeting place if you are apart when the eruption occurs. Go over evacuation routes that take you downwind of the volcano. You may have to travel by foot or bicycle if ash fall is heavy, as it can damage car engines.
Get a hazard-zone map from your local emergency services or from the U.S. Geological Service to learn the potential danger to your home’s location.
Become familiar with your community’s plan of action if you live near an active volcano. When the warning siren sounds, be ready to follow instructions. Most active volcano areas have designated shelters. Find out where they are.
Watch the local news if there are signs of an imminent eruption, and follow the instructions of local authorities, even if the volcano still looks peaceful and inactive.
DURING
Evacuate if told to. You will be dealing with the initial eruption, lava, and debris, and the falling ash afterwards. Often it is the ash that creates the most problems. It can cause major health issues if breathed in and can disable car engines. You may need to go on foot or by another method of travel. Watch for planes overhead during ash fall, as their engines may be disabled, causing them to crash.
If you live near a stream or creek, mudflow and heavy rains can become a problem. Mudflows travel faster than you can run, so watch your surroundings, and do not attempt to cross a bridge or waterway unless you can tell it is clear upstream.
Stay away from the path of lava flow, and avoid low-lying areas such as river valleys. Try to get to higher ground to avoid volcano-associated flash floods, mudflow, and lava flow.
Do not go into an open body of water, stream, creek, river, or pool during an eruption if near the volcano. The heat of the pyroclastic gases, such as sulfuric acid, can turn the water extremely hot in minutes.
Shield yourself if outdoors from pyroclastic flow, which is the blast of rock, sand, debris, and deadly gases that fly outward during an eruption. Pyroclastic flow can travel at speeds over 300 miles per hour (483 kph). The rocks can be dangerously hot, and they may rain down on you from the sky for miles. Protect your head and face, and get under some cover if possible (but nothing that can catch fire easily!).
If outdoors in an open area near the volcano, remember that lateral blasts can shoot chunks of rock sideways for miles. Get low to the ground, but out of the path of any lava flow, until the initial blast is over, then get to help or inside a sturdy building.
Try to get to cover as quickly as you can to avoid injury from lateral blast and hot gases. The poisonous gases released in the eruption can be deadly if breathed in directly. Use a mask, respirator, damp cloth, or if none of those are available, an item of clothing you can remove and wet down.
Keep your skin covered to avoid burns.
If indoors, shelter in place, and shut off all windows, doors, and ventilation systems such as air conditioning and heating as well as chimneys, furnaces, and fans to avoid getting ash inside.
Use a face mask or wet cloth to breathe, and do not breathe in air with visible ash fall!
If outdoors, use goggles, face mask, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and sturdy boots or sneakers. Wear eyeglasses, and remove contact lenses.
Avoid the roadways unless it is an emergency. If you must drive, go slower than 35 miles per hour (56 kph), and be prepared for engine stalls from heavy ash fall.
Move downwind of the eruption, as ash will travel upwind.
Be aware of geothermal hot spots, mudflows, and geysers that can be deadly hot. Cooled ground may be nothing more than a thin cover over hot lava, so tread carefully, and try to avoid crossing any lava flows.
Watch for fires caused by falling embers and hot rocks and debris, especially if you are trapped inside a building with a shake-shingle or nontile roof, a wood structure (storage shed), or outdoors in an area with trees and dry brush.
Stay in a designated shelter, if you have evacuated, until you are told by authorities it is safe to go back home.
Once home, clear ash from roof, gutters, and overhangs, being careful not to breathe it in.
Wash clothing thoroughly after exposure to ash, and wash your hair if it has been exposed.
Do not turn on the air conditioner or ventilation system until you know it is clear of ash.
Stay tuned to local news or NOAA Weather Radio (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr.) to see if there is a chance of another eruption after the initial blast.
WILDFIRE
BEFORE
Have a family fire emergency plan that includes what to do if you must evacuate, evacuation routes, and what to do if it is too late to evacuate. Remember to consider pets and the sick or elderly.
Pick a predetermined area to meet after a fire if the family is separated. This can also be a designated shelter that can be texted to family members.
Have your emergency supply kits updated, and be sure to include facemasks, extra water, and first aid supplies.
You should keep trees and bushes cleared away from your house to make it less vulnerable to wildfires, especially if you live in a wooded area.
Prepare defensible space around your home by clearing, reducing, or treating vegetation at least 100 feet (30 meters) from the structure. Clear out grass and brush, and cut trees back to a minimum of 100 feet (30 meters) from the structure. Within the defensible space, you can grow ground covers and other drought-tolerant and fire-resistant plants, or fill the space with rocks, pebbles, and stones. Contact your fire department for great suggestions of plant, ivy, and ground-cover choices.
Remove dead leaves and debris from rain gutters and roofs.
Replace rotten wood fencing around the home.
If building a home, use noncombustible materials for the exterior, such as stucco, metal, and composite siding and masonry. Limit the number of structures attached to the main home. Keep woodpiles for fireplaces at least 30 feet (10 meters) away from the home or other structures.
Make sure there is a clear access road to your home, and keep it free of overgrown vegetation and other blockages.
Tree branches should be at least six feet (two meters) above ground and at least ten feet (three meters) from the roof or chimney.
If the weather is hot and dry, and fire is possible, be sure to keep your car gas tank full and ready in case you need to leave.
Make sure your street address number is clearly visible from the street.
DURING
If the local news is reporting a wildfire near you, listen for instructions on television, radio, or via phone alerts. If you can see smoke and fire, begin gathering items for evacuation, and pack up your car. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
Evacuate immediately if told to. Don’t try to stay and save your home or you may lose your life. Take your emergency kits and any personal items you have set by the house door or garage door ready to go. Don’t go searching for items you forgot.
Go to the nearest designated shelter that is out of the path of the fire.
If anyone is having difficulty breathing due to ash and smoke nearby, get them to the hospital or call 911 if roads are still open to your home.
If you have more than one exit route from your home, take the one that will take you farthest away from the fire.
If a fire is very close, and you have not received evacuation orders, call 911 immediately for instructions.
Once at the shelter, listen to local news for instructions on when you can return home.
AFTER
Do not return home unless cleared by fire and emergency services authorities.
Since sparks can reignite a fire, check around your home property for hot spots, and put them out immediately. This includes the roof and attic.
Use extreme caution entering a burned area, and if you see smoke or a flare-up, leave immediately, as a small reignited area can soon turn into a new raging inferno.
Once back home, throw away any exposed food.
Wear a dust mask, and wet debris so that you aren’t breathing in dust particles.
Do not drink any water that may have been exposed to smoke or high heat during fire.
Use work gloves when handling burnt objects.
Catalog damage with a cell phone camera or video camera for the insurance company.
Contact professionals to clean extensive smoke and fire damage inside and outside the home. Do not assume you can wash the smoke away. Smoke has a way of binding to materials for a long time, and you may need to throw away many items if the smell persists.
WHEN YOU ARE TRAPPED!
Chances are, you will have ample warning time and can evacuate safely from the path of an oncoming wildfire. But if the unthinkable should happen, and you are trapped, here is what you can do to increase your odds of surviving.
In Your Home
Stay calm. Get family members together in one area.
If you have time to wet down the exterior of the house, do so, but only if the fire is still a distance off. Only do this if you absolutely cannot evacuate, even on foot!
Call 911 and let them know you are trapped in your home.
Fill sinks and tubs with cold water. Fill buckets and containers, and put them around the perimeter of the home.
Close doors and windows, but keep them unlocked for firefighters. Close off any vents that bring air into the home.
Stay inside the house once the fire is close. Do not go outside to use garden hoses. The fire will win.
Stay away from outside walls, windows, and doors, and get inside an interior room of the house.
Try to cover your bodies with wet clothing or blankets. Use dust masks if the air is thick with smoke.
Wait for help, and do not try to escape once the fire surrounds your home.
If on Foot
Stay calm. Panic will cost you precious time.
If you are camping or hiking in an area, and a wildfire breaks out, get between the fire and a body of water such as a creek, river, or lake if you can.
Find a road leading away from the fire, and use it if it is clear.
If you are near a clearing free of vegetation, a ditch, or a cave, use it until the fire passes.
Call 911 and let them know your position and situation.
If there is thick smoke, protect your airways. Use a moist cloth or face mask, and do not take deep breaths. Try to stay low to the ground, and cover your mouth and nose with the cloth or mask.
Try to stay upwind of the fire at all times. Do not try to run uphill from a fire. Fire travels faster uphill because heat rises and causes the flames to spread faster!
If the fire is too close and you cannot outrun it, lie face down and cover your body. If you can wet your clothes, or find a muddy area to roll around in, do so, as the moisture will help.
If you are on a roadway, and the fire is upon you, look for a ditch away from the path of the fire, and get down, protecting your face.
If you can get behind the fire to where it has already burned, you will be safe, but only if there are no hot spots, so be aware of your surroundings. Kicking up ash can cause breathing issues, so use your face mask or cloth as you get out of the area.
In Your Vehicle
You may not have anywhere else to go but your car, or you may get caught in the path of a wildfire during evacuation. If you cannot flee on foot, then do this:
Stay calm. If you can keep driving, do so slowly. Keep headlights and hazard lights on so you can be seen through the thick smoke. Watch for other people, animals, and obstructions.
If you must stop, park the vehicle in an area clear of vegetation or behind a solid structure if possible.
Close windows and air-conditioning vents.
Keep the engine running, and put on the air conditioning on recirculation.
Cover yourself with a thick blanket or wool jacket, and get on the floor of the back seat. If the blanket or jacket is made of flammable materials, do not cover yourself with it!
If you have water in the car, wet some cloth, and keep that to your mouth and nose. Drink water too to stay hydrated against the hot, drying fire’s effects.
Call 911 on your cell phone, and let them know your location and situation.
The car will get unbearably hot, and ash and smoke may enter the car. Hot air currents will rock the vehicle, often violently. Try to stay calm even if the engine stalls.
Once the fire has passed, call for help again.
Get out of the car and attend to anyone who may be in shock or have fainted during the fire’s passing.
If the car starts up, drive away from the fire.
If the car is on fire or won’t start, go away from the fire on foot to get to safety, but watch for overhead burning tree branches and hot-spot flare-ups.
SCAMS
After any disaster, there will be people who seek to benefit from the pain and suffering of victims. Whether it be an earthquake, tornado, or hurricane, scam artists will be ready to knock on your door and play on your anxieties and fears by promising you things they cannot and will not deliver.
Obviously, the first thing you should do in the cleanup period after an emergency is contact your insurance company. Only communicate with them and not any outsiders that may offer you help or try to convince you that your insurance company won’t cover your damage. Keep in mind there will not be much in the way of federal assistance for rebuilding your roof or your home, so people who tell you they represent a government agency are probably scam artists.
After a disaster, never give a contractor company your credit card or other financial or personal information over the phone unless it is through your insurance company.
Some tips to remember:
Be wary of contractors who are not licensed or do not have a good track record with references. Confirm their state registration, ask if they have a local office, and always get more than one quote for the work you need.
Do not sign anything with a company, other than your insurance company, that you feel forced or intimidated into signing.
Do not deal with door-to-door salesmen after a disaster. If you seek out contracting work or an insurance adjuster, use reliable sources that have been well vetted.
Demand that companies that call you after a disaster remove you from their call lists.
Never give a company bank, personal, or financial information over the phone, unless it is your legitimate insurance company representative.
STRUCTURE AND NON-STRUCTURE HAZARDS
No matter the type of disaster, being aware of hazards inside and outside can save your life. Structural hazards depend on the type of building you are in: a home, office building, skyscraper, or warehouse. Obviously, the first things to look out for are broken glass and ceiling panels that are loose or fallen. If the power is out, you have to tread carefully, looking for holes in the ground and sharp debris. Shopping malls and warehouses will be a mess of broken glass and collapsed walls, as will airport terminals and churches. The disaster will be one challenge. Surviving the hazards it leaves behind is another.
Trying to leave a building, you may encounter collapsed walkways and stairwells. Walls may be partially caved in, and there may be beams hanging from above. All of these are hazards that can cause injury if you aren’t alert and careful.
If you are in your home, the type of construction makes a difference. Older brick homes that have not been retrofitted will be a big problem in a large earthquake but may offer protection in a wildfire or hurricane. If your home was built before 1940, it may not be bolted to the foundation and could be shaken, blown, or lifted off of its foundation as a result. You can spend the money to bolt your home to its foundation and be assured it will stand up to most hazards. If you live in a mobile home, think about strapping it to its concrete pad.
Also look around at what you have in the home and garage that might be potential “weapons.” A water heater that is not strapped down, large bookcases, grandfather clocks, and refrigerators can all become deadly in a tornado or massive earthquake. You can buy industrial strength Velcro to keep them from flying around or bolt them to the wall. Cabinet doors should be fastened in a way they won’t fly open and create a mess of broken glass and dishes. Appliances and office equipment such as printers and computers can cause electrical shock after a disaster.
Nonstructural hazards include downed power lines, ruptured gas lines, water main breaks, fallen bricks and cement blocks, and sinkholes outside the home. Look around the outside of the home for fallen trees or branches that are resting against the roof, holes in the roof, major cracks in the exterior walls, exposed wires from inside the home, and signs of water coming into the house around the foundation, which can undermine the floor and eventually the entire house.
After any disaster, an inside and outside assessment can identify problems that could be deadly. You may still be in a state of shock from the initial disaster, but don’t wait until it is too late to see what other dangers lurk. Address them quickly so that you or someone else doesn’t get hurt.
Because of all of the above hazards, it is unwise to go inside a building to try to rescue other people unless you can safely assess the exterior and interior. Professionals such as police, firefighters, and emergency workers know how to do a quick visual assessment as part of their job. You may not. People don’t realize that floors may appear to be safe to walk on but are actually on the verge of collapse from the slightest shift in weight. The same applies for ceiling beams and walls that appear to be structurally sound, but can topple during another high wind or aftershock. If there are no emergency services personnel around, and you know someone is trapped inside a building or structure, you enter at your own risk.
EXPOSURE TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Another post-disaster hazard is hazardous materials such as explosives, chemicals, flammable liquids, deadly gases, corrosives, oxidizers, and radioactive materials. These materials can be highly unstable and toxic to all living things and may not be identifiable except by their containers, which should be marked. Stored hazardous materials will feature a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 704 diamond. This diamond-shaped mark will feature four quadrants, each with a different color and number to indicate the type of hazard and the degree of risk. A red quadrant will indicate the material is flammable and can have any number. The higher the number, the greater the risk. A yellow quadrant indicates reactivity. Blue indicates health hazards. White indicates an unusual reactivity with water, so the material should never be mixed with water. Different letters in this quadrant will tell you why. For example, OX means the material possesses oxidation properties when mixed with water. ACID of course indicates an acid, ALK indicates that the material is a base, and COR means corrosive. A nuclear triangle means it is radioactive.
Trucks hauling hazardous materials are marked with signs explaining what they are carrying. This one indicates the truck is shipping sulfuric acid.
These indicators are mainly for firefighters and professionals, but it doesn’t hurt to know what you might be dealing with. You can also learn to identify hazardous materials that are being transported by trucks and tankers. Any vehicle carrying hazardous contents will be marked with a Department of Transportation placard known as DOT. These diamond-shaped placards indicate by color what the hazardous material is. Orange is for explosives, red for flammable gas, yellow for inhalation hazard, blue for anything that is dangerous when wet, white for poison, and yellow for oxidizers. Yellow and white are for radioactive materials, black and white for corrosives, and red and white for spontaneous combustibles. We all know the skull-and-crossbones poison symbol, and often that will be on a toxic hazard container.
However, you cannot assume that an unmarked tanker is not carrying hazardous materials, as often drivers forget to change out or put on markers. If there is a big-rig crash or tanker overturn on the freeway, keep as far away as you can until it is determined what the cargo was. If there is any indication the cargo was toxic, try not to breathe it in without using a cloth or something over your mouth and nose. Your eyes may begin to burn if exposed. Leave the area as soon as possible, and keep car windows rolled up, with the air conditioner on recirculation only.
THE POWER OF PREPARATION
The key similarities in all of the above situations are: Be prepared. Be prepared. And—be prepared.
Having a supply of food, water, and other necessities, having a plan of action ahead of time, having evacuation routes identified, listening for news and information, doing what you are instructed to do, being careful, having common sense, looking out for your safety and the safety of others first, property later—it is all the same. The more of these steps you see fit to take, the more prepared you will be.
Watch the news during the next natural or man-made disaster that occurs somewhere else in the country. Notice how there are always people who blame everyone but themselves for not following instructions, not having supplies ahead of time, and not using their common sense. Do not be one of those people. Those people put their own lives at risk but also the lives of emergency services personnel who have to rescue them because they refused to listen to instructions.
A disaster or emergency is not a time to focus on protecting a painting or a house or a car. If doing so puts you in danger, get out.
In the next chapter, we will look at a handful of high-level impact events that may require more than just carrying out the basic plans for a short duration. These events may require that we do more than just the minimum to survive. Knowing what we can do before, during, and after will hopefully empower us not only to survive but also to rise out of the ashes and thrive.
