disaster 5th 1108_5th ed 2011 - Homeland Security and Emergency ...

Things to avoid:
• chemicals - any spilled liquid materials, vapors or gas
• contaminated food or water - don’t eat or drink any
food or water that may have been exposed to materials
Stay away - Get away from the attack site to avoid contamination.
AFTER A CHEMICAL ATTACK:
Feel sick... - In some cases, people won’t be aware they have been exposed
to an agent -- most cause immediate symptoms and some take a while to
show up so continue watching for signs of illness.
Don’t panic -- Listen - Stay calm and listen to radio, TV and officials to ...
• Determine if your area is or was in danger.
• Learn signs and symptoms of specific chemical agent(s).
• Find out if antidotes are being distributed by authorities
and, if so, where you can get them.
Don’t go there - Don’t return home until local authorities say it is safe.
Air out - Open windows, vents and turn on fans to air things out.
Clean up - A person, critter or item that has been exposed could spread it...
• decontamination - follow instructions from authorities
since it depends on chemical. May need to shower with or
without soap or may be told to avoid water - check first
• strange symptoms - if unusual symptoms show up, get to
a hospital or medical expert right away
• store clothes & shoes - put exposed clothing and shoes in
tightly sealed containers or bags and ask local authorities
how to get rid of them
• tell people you’ve been exposed - tell everyone who
comes in contact with you that you may have been
exposed to a chemical agent
• land and property - ask local authorities how to clean up
Strange vapors or danger - Report these to local authorities immediately.
For more information about chemical agents, visit the CDC Emergency
Preparedness & Response site at www.bt.cdc.gov .. or .. call CDC Hotline
at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) or 1-888-232-6348 (TTY).
www.itsadisaster.net or call 1-888-999-4325
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