How to stay safe in a chemical emergency

How to know there's an emergency

If you hear your local Public Warning Sirens sound an alarm longer than three minutes, it's a real emergency warning (rather than just a drill).
Stay calm. Turn on the TV

When you hear a long siren, you should turn on the TV or radio immediately. In a real emergency, TV and radio stations will air information on the emergency, and tell you what to do. (If you have cable TV, be sure that you're tuned to a local station.)
Don't call 911 to ask questions

Unless you need the police or paramedics, do not tie up emergency phone lines. It will be easier and faster to get information from your local TV or radio station.

Also, 911 lines should be kept clear for people who really need the police or medical help fast. (Of course, if that includes you or someone near you, then you should call.)

If you're told to leave home...

Do so immediately. A delay could be deadly.

Don't stop to pack. Take only things you really need (medicine, for example). Toothbrushes and toilettries, if necessary, will be provided at the shelter.

Lock your doors and windows.

Tie a white cloth to your front door to let police know no one's home.

Head to the nearest shelter. The TV or radio will tell you where to go.

If you're told to stay inside...

Strictly follow instructions by emergency authorities.

Protect your breathing.

Close all windows and doors.

Seal any gaps around windows and doors with wet towels and duct tape.

If you're driving, stay in your car. Turn off the heater or air conditioner, and/or close the vents. Avoid contact with spilled liquids or solids, and airborne mist.

At home, turn off all pilot lights, heaters, and air conditioners.

Put out fireplace fires, and close fireplace dampers.

Keep the TV or radio on to listen for further instructions.

If you're exposed to fumes.

If you think dangerous fumes may have entered your building, place a wet cloth or towel over your mouth and nose.

Schools, hospitals and nursing homes.

Schools and health care facilities should have clear plans for chemical emergencies. If there is an emergency, don't call these facilities to check on your loved ones, and don't go there. The fewer interruptions there are in their emergency plan, the safer your loved one(s) will be.

If you have a child in school, it's a good idea to request a copy of the school's emergency plan and go over it with your child to be sure you both understand it.

How to know when it's safe.

Either the police or TV or radio announcers will announce the "all clear". Don't abandon these emergency precautions until told to do so by these authorities.

When the authorities say the emergency is past, you may go home if you left. If you stayed home, this official "all clear" means it's safe to open windows, turn on air conditioners, heaters and pilot lights again.

Above all, remain calm.

Remember:

Emergencies don't have to end in tragedy. If you and the people with you know what to do, and do it calmly, everyone's probably going to be just fine.

If You Need Some Special Help.

If you or someone you know is disabled or otherwise unable to take steps described in this booklet, call us now and we will inform your local fire and/or police department of your needs.

To learn more...



Write or call:

The Ingham County Emergency
Planning and Community
Right-to-Know Committee
Ingham County Health Department
Environmental Health Bureau
P.O. Box 30161
5303 South Cedar Street
Lansing, Michigan 48909
(517) 887-4312

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