Domestic Disaster Preparedness

Now that hurricane season is officially here, here are some tips to help
you can be assured that you're prepared\... (care of Lab Safety Supply
and the Department of Homeland Security).

No matter what type of emergency or disaster occurs, planning in advance
can make a difference between life and death. While there are
[federal](http://www.fema.gov/),
[state](http://www.ready.gov/america/local/index.html) and local police
and fire department resources set up to provide assistance, they can
quickly become overwhelmed by the scope or scale of an event. Given this
possibility, personal preparedness is essential.

With any disaster or emergency, there are basic needs and essentials
that must be met. At a minimum, water, food and shelter are absolute
necessities. Depending on the nature of the event, clean, breathable air
and additional supplies may also be needed. Keep everything in a
[container](http://www.labsafety.com/store/Material_Handling/Carts_and_Trucks/Bulk_Trucks_and_Tilts/2727/)
or some [other
device](http://www.labsafety.com/store/Facilities_Maintenance/Hand_Tools/Tool_Boxes/28655/)
that provides protection, portability and ease of access.

While no one can fully anticipate what kinds of emergencies or disasters
may occur, preparing for them in advance can make a difference in the
days that follow. Collecting supplies and planning and preparing for
your personal needs are best done before warnings are issued or after
something happens. This way, there is no rush and supplies are
plentiful.

WATER

For drinking and sanitation, plan on having at least one gallon of water
per person per day for at least three days.

-   Children, nursing mothers and sick people may need more water.

-   If you live in a warm weather climate more water may be necessary.

-   Store water tightly in clean plastic containers such as soft drink
    bottles.

-   In an emergency, you can use household chlorine bleach to treat
    water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per
    gallon of water. Do not use scented or color-safe bleaches or
    bleaches with added cleaners.

WATER STORAGE

**Containers for Water Storage**\
Food-grade plastic or glass containers are suitable for storing water.
One-, three- and [five-gallon water
containers](http://www.labsafety.com/store/Public_Safety/EMS/Emergency_Response/34281/)
can be purchased from most outdoor or hardware stores. Any plastic or
glass container that previously held food or beverages, such as 2-liter
soda bottles, or water, juice, punch, or milk jugs may also be used.
Stainless steel containers can be used to store water that has not been
or will not be treated with chlorine. (Chlorine is corrosive to most
metals.)

Use hot soapy water to thoroughly clean used containers and lids. Then
rinse them with water and sanitize the containers and lids by rinsing
them with a solution of 1 tablespoon of chlorine bleach per gallon of
water. Leave the containers wet for two minutes, then rinse them again
with water. Remember to remove the paper or plastic lid liners before
washing the lids. It is very difficult to effectively remove all residue
from many containers, so carefully clean hard-to-reach places like the
handles of milk jugs. To sanitize stainless steel containers, place the
container in boiling water for 10 minutes. Never use containers that
previously held chemicals.

**Do I Need to Treat Water?**\
Once you properly clean containers, fill them with potable, or safe,
drinking water. All public water supplies are already treated and should
be free of harmful bacteria. However, as an additional precaution, it is
recommended that you add 5--7 drops (about 1/8 teaspoon) of chlorine
bleach per gallon of water stored to protect against any lingering
organisms in storage containers that may have been inadvertently missed
during the cleaning process.

**Where to Store Water**\
Clearly label all water containers "drinking water" with the current
date. Store the water in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and
heat sources. Do not store it near gasoline, kerosene, pesticides or
similar substances.

Properly stored potable water should have an indefinite shelf life;
however, it's a good idea to use and replace the stored water every
6--12 months. Rotating water this way provides you with an opportunity
to experiment and check the amount of stored water against what you
require. It also serves as an additional precaution against bacteria or
viruses growing in containers that may not have been thoroughly or
properly cleaned and sanitized.

If you have freezer space, storing some water in the freezer is a good
idea. If you lose electricity, the frozen water will help keep foods in
your freezer frozen until the power is restored. Make sure you leave
2--3 inches of space in containers because water expands as it freezes.

**Emergency Sources of Water**\
In an emergency, if you have not previously stored water and commercial
or public sources of water are unavailable, drain water from your
plumbing system. Unless you are advised that the public water supply has
been contaminated and is not safe, open the drain valve at the bottom of
the water heater and salvage the water stored in the heater. A typical
water heater holds 30--60 gallons of water. Discard the first few
gallons if they contain rust or sediment. Let the water heater cool
before draining water from the heater to avoid being scalded. Turn off
the electricity or gas to the water heater to prevent the heater from
operating without water. Once water has been drained into clean,
sanitized containers, add 5--7 drops of *plain, unscented* chlorine
bleach per gallon of water, and stir or shake the solution to mix it.
Let it set 30 minutes before use.

**When and How to Treat Water for Storage**\
In an emergency, if you do not have water that you know is safe, it's
possible to purify water for drinking. Start with the cleanest water you
can find and treat with one of the following methods:

-   Boiling and chlorinating: Water can be purified by boiling. Boiling
    times may vary from state to state, depending on altitude. In
    Colorado, the water is safe to use after it has been boiled for 3--5
    minutes and has cooled. If you plan to store boiled water, pour it
    into clean, sanitized containers and let it cool to room
    temperature. Then add 5--7 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of chlorine bleach\*
    per gallon of water (1/2 teaspoon per 5 gallons). Stir or shake the
    solution to mix it. Cap the containers and store them in a cool, dry
    place.

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-   Filtering and chlorinating: You can filter water if you have a
    commercial or backpack filter that filters to 1 micron. These are
    available in sporting good stores and are recommended for use when
    backpacking. They are not recommended to clean large volumes of
    water. Filtering eliminates parasites such as giardia and
    cryptosporidium, but it may not eliminate all bacteria and viruses.
    Therefore, it's recommended that 5--7 drops (1/8 teaspoon) of
    *plain, unscented* chlorine bleach be added per gallon of filtered
    water (1/2 teaspoon for 5 gallons). Stir or shake the solution to
    mix it. Wait 30 minutes before using the water or cap the containers
    and store them in a cool, dry place.

\*Use liquid household bleach that contains 5.25 percent hypochlorite.
Do not use bleaches with fresheners or scents as they may not be safe to
consume. The above treatment methods use a two-step approach so less
bleach is needed, yet giardia and cryptosporidium are destroyed through
boiling or eliminated by filtering. Chlorine may not be effective
against these parasites. Since adding too much chlorine to water can be
harmful, it's important to be as accurate as possible when measuring.

**Well Water**\
Contact your Public Health and Environment agency for advice on
treatment and storage of well water.

**FOOD**

Collect at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food.

-   Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking
    and little or no water.

-   Pack a manual can opener and eating utensils.

-   Avoid salty foods, as they will make you thirsty.

-   Choose foods your family will eat.

    -   Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables

    -   Protein or fruit bars

    -   Dry cereal or granola

    -   Peanut butter

    -   Dried fruit

    -   Nuts

    -   Crackers

    -   Canned juices

    -   Nonperishable pasteurized milk

    -   High energy foods

    -   Vitamins

    -   Food for infants

    -   Comfort/stress foods

**SUPPLIES**

-   Battery-powered or [hand crank
    radio](http://www.labsafety.com/store/Facilities_Maintenance/Security/Communication/55912/)
    and a [NOAA Weather
    Radio](http://www.labsafety.com/store/Facilities_Maintenance/Lighting/Work_and_Flood_Lights/53816/)
    with tone alert and extra
    [batteries](http://www.labsafety.com/store/Facilities_Maintenance/Lighting/Batteries/)
    for both

-   [Flashlight](http://www.labsafety.com/store/Facilities_Maintenance/Lighting/Flashlights_and_Accessories/)
    and extra
    [batteries](http://www.labsafety.com/store/Facilities_Maintenance/Lighting/Batteries/)

-   [Whistle](http://www.labsafety.com/store/Public_Safety/EMS/Emergency_Response/4772/)
    to signal for help

-   [First aid
    kit](http://www.labsafety.com/store/Safety_Supplies/First_Aid/First_Aid_Kits/)

**FIRST AID KIT**

In any emergency, a family member or you yourself may be cut, burned or
suffer other injuries. Keep basic first aid supplies on hand. Remember,
many injuries are not life threatening and do not require immediate
medical attention. Knowing how to treat minor injuries can make a
difference in an emergency.

Things you should have:

-   Two pairs of [sterile
    gloves](http://www.labsafety.com/store/Safety_Supplies/Gloves/Cleanroom_Gloves/36172/).

-   [Sterile
    dressings](http://www.labsafety.com/store/Safety_Supplies/First_Aid/First_Aid_Dressings/21305/)
    and
    [tape](http://www.labsafety.com/store/Safety_Supplies/First_Aid/First_Aid_Tapes/39360/)
    to stop bleeding.

-   [Cleansing
    agent/soap](http://www.labsafety.com/store/Safety_Supplies/Biosafety/Biohazard_Cleaners/3453/)
    and [antimicrobial
    towelettes](http://www.labsafety.com/store/Safety_Supplies/Biosafety/Biohazard_Cleaners/42661/)
    to disinfect.

-   [Antibiotic
    ointment](http://www.labsafety.com/store/Safety_Supplies/First_Aid/Ointments_-Creams_-Antiseptics/39361/)
    to prevent infection.

-   [Burn
    ointment](http://www.labsafety.com/store/Safety_Supplies/First_Aid/Burn_Aid_Supplies/4823/)
    to prevent infection.

-   [Adhesive
    bandages](http://www.labsafety.com/store/Safety_Supplies/First_Aid/Bandages/38009/)
    in a variety of sizes.

-   [Eyewash
    solution](http://www.labsafety.com/store/Safety_Supplies/Eye_Wash_Stations_-_Showers/Personal_Eye_Washes/40948/)
    to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant.

-   Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart
    medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate
    medicines to account for expiration dates.

-   Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure
    monitoring equipment and supplies.

Things it may be good to have:

-   Cell phone

-   Duct tape

-   Scissors

-   Tweezers

-   Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant

Nonprescription drugs:

-   Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever

-   Anti-diarrhea medication

-   Antacid (for upset stomach)

-   Laxative

**SHELTER**

Many people think shelter is the same as their home. It's important to
realize that what you consider to be shelter may not always be in or
near where you live. Where you live may be in the area that is at risk,
and shelter can only be found by evacuation to another location.

Federal, state or local agencies will typically broadcast directions on
what to do or where to go. News broadcasts on TV or radio may also give
directions. Instructions could be to seek shelter in a room within your
home or to evacuate to another area.

**Seeking shelter at home**\
Staying where you are is often the best thing to do. You may be given
instructions to move to an interior room, away from doors and windows,
or beneath heavy furniture.

There are circumstances when you need to create a barrier between
yourself and potentially contaminated air outside. This is a process
known as "[sealing the
room](http://www.ready.gov/america/makeaplan/shelter_in_place.html)" and
is a matter of survival. Use available information to assess the
situation. If you see large amounts of debris in the air, or if local
authorities say the air is badly contaminated, you may want to take this
kind of action.

The process used to seal the room is considered a *temporary* protective
measure to create a barrier between you and potentially contaminated air
outside. It is a type of sheltering in place that requires preplanning.

To Shelter in Place and Seal the Room

-   Bring your family and pets **inside**.

-   **Lock** doors, close windows, air vents and fireplace dampers.

-   **Turn off** fans, air conditioning and forced air heating systems.

-   **Take your emergency supply kit** unless you have reason to believe
    it has been contaminated.

-   **Go to an interior room** with few windows, if possible.

-   Local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information
    on what is happening and what you should do. However, you should
    **watch TV, listen to the radio or check the Internet often for
    official news** and instructions as they become available.

If there is damage to your home or you are instructed to turn off your
utilities:

-   Locate and shut off the electric circuit(s), gas and water shut-off
    valves.

-   Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves.

-   Teach family members how to turn off utilities, and mark positions
    for "ON" and "OFF".

-   **If you turn the gas off, a professional must turn it back on. Do
    not attempt to do this yourself.**

**EVACUATION**

There may be conditions under which you will decide to get away, or
there may be situations when you are ordered to leave. Plan how you will
assemble your family and anticipate where you will go. Choose several
destinations in different directions so you have options in an
emergency.

In general, it is best to evacuate at right angles to the direction of
the threat. For example, if a storm is approaching from the West, it is
best to evacuate toward the North or South.

Create an evacuation plan:

-   **Plan places** where your family will meet, both within and outside
    of your immediate neighborhood.

-   Keep vehicles filled with a **half tank of gas** at all times in
    case you need to evacuate.

-   Become familiar with **alternate routes** and other means of
    transportation out of your area.

-   If you **don't have a car**, plan how you will leave if you have to.

-   **Take your emergency supply kit** unless you have reason to believe
    it has been contaminated.

-   **Lock** the door behind you.

-   Take your **pets** with you, but understand that only service
    animals may be permitted in public shelters. Plan how you will care
    for your pets in an emergency.

> If time allows:

-   Call or email the "out-of-state" contact in your family
    communications plan and tell them where you are going.

-   If there is damage to your home and you are instructed to do so,
    shut off water, gas and electricity before leaving.

-   Leave a note telling others when you left and where you are going.

-   Check with neighbors who may need a ride.