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Prepare to deal with a terrorist incident by using many of the same techniques used to prepare for other crises.
- Be alert and aware of your surroundings. There may be little or no warning of an attack.
- Prepare a 3-day emergency kit for yourself and your family. Include a family plan.
- When traveling, be aware of conspicuous or unusual behavior. Do not accept packages from strangers or leave luggage unattended.
- In buildings, learn where emergency exits are located. Think ahead about how to evacuate a building, tunnel or congested public area in a hurry. Learn staircase locations.
- Select an interior "safe room" for shelter-in-place. Have pre-cut plastic sheets and duct tape available for immediate use if notified to do so by local authorities.
The use of explosives by terrorists can result in collapsed buildings and fires. People who live or work in a multi-level building can do the following:
- Review emergency evacuation procedures. Know where fire exits are located.
- Keep fire extinguishers in working order. Know where they are located, and how to use them.
- Learn first aid.
- Keep a kit of emergency response supplies on each floor of the building. This kit could include the following:
- Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries.
- Several flashlights and extra batteries.
- First aid kit and manual.
- Several hard hats.
- Fluorescent tape to rope off dangerous areas.
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Remain calm. A hysterical crowd may be more dangerous than the terrorist event itself.
In a building explosion, get out of the building as quickly and calmly as possible. If items are falling from shelves or ceiling, protect yourself under a sturdy table or desk.
If there is a fire:
- Stay low to the floor and exit the building as quickly as possible.
- Cover nose and mouth with a wet cloth.
- When approaching a closed door, use the palm of your hand and forearm to feel the lower, middle and upper of the door. If it is not hot, brace yourself against the door and open it slowly. It is hot, do not open the door-seek an alternate escape route.
- Heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling. Stay below the smoke at all times.
For a chemical or biological release, shelter-in place unless otherwise directed by local officials.
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Remain calm. A hysterical crowd may be more dangerous than the terrorist event itself.
Report all crimes to local police by calling 911. Tune to local radio/television station for information.
If you are trapped by debris:
- Stay as still as possible so that you don't kick up dust. Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
- Tap on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can hear you. Use a whistle or flashlight as a signal if available. Shout only as a last resort-shouting can cause a person to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.
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In the event of a chemical or biological emergency, you should follow the shelter-in-place procedures unless you are told to evacuate by emergency officials. ALWAYS follow emergency instructions!
A person affected by a chemical or biological agent requires immediate attention by professional medical personnel. If emergency help is not immediately available, decontaminate yourself and assist in decontaminating others. Decontamination is needed within minutes to minimize health consequences. However, you should not leave shelter to go outdoors to help others until authorities announce it is safe to do so.
- Remove all clothing and other items in contact with the body. Contaminated clothing normally removed over the head should be cut off to avoid contact with the eyes, nose, and mouth. Put into a plastic bag if possible. Decontaminate hands using soap and water. Remove eyeglasses or contact lenses. Put glasses in a pan of household bleach to decontaminate.
- Step into a shower if available. Look for a hose, fountain or any source of water. Carefully remove from the skin and properly discard any obvious chemical agent to avoid spreading it during decontamination. Flush eyes with lots of water. Gently wash hair and skin with soap; then thoroughly rinse with water. Do not scrub the chemical into your skin. Plastic bag washcloths and towels.
- Change into uncontaminated clothes. Clothing stored in drawers or closets is likely to be uncontaminated. Get to fresh air as soon as it is safe.
- Use extreme caution when helping others who have been exposed to chemical agents.
- If possible, proceed to a medical facility for screening.
In many biological attacks, people will not know they have been exposed to an agent. In such situations, the first evidence of an attack may be when you notice symptoms of the disease caused by the agent exposure, and you should seek immediate medical attention for treatment.
If your skin or clothing comes in contact with a visible, potentially infectious substance, you should remove and bag your clothes and personal items and wash yourself with warm soapy water immediately. Put on clean clothes and seek medical assistance.
- Stay inside until you are notified by a uniformed officer or official news release that it is safe to go outside.
- Bring all family members and pets inside.
- Close and lock all doors and windows.
- Shut off all ventilation, heating and cooling systems.
- Extinguish fireplace or wood stove fires and close the damper.
- Go to your pre-designated interior "safe room" and seal the door and vents with plastic sheets and tape.
- Cover door thresholds with wet towels or seal with duct tape.
- Listen to the radio or television for further emergency instructions.
- Breathe through a wet cloth or dust mask.
- The chemical or biological danger should pass within an hour or two, but stay inside until you are notified by local officials or radio/TV announcement that it is safe to go outside.
- Gather what you and your family will need the most. Warm clothes, diapers, baby food, money, prescription medicine, ID, emergency kit, etc.
- Turn off heating, ventilation and cooling systems and appliances.
- Lock your home or business when you leave.
- Do not use the phone unless there is a life threatening situation.
- Take only one car and observe all traffic laws. Keep all windows and vents closed, turn on the radio for evacuation routes and current emergency information.
- Follow directions given by officials along the evacuation route.
- Car-pool if possible to help reduce traffic congestion during the evacuation. If you do not have transportation, make arrangements to ride with a neighbor, friend or relative.
- Do not call your children's school or go to pick them up. School evacuations will occur according to established procedures. Contact your school for information about their evacuation plan. You will be notified by radio or television where you can pick them up.
If you receive a bomb threat, get as much information from the caller as possible. Keep the caller on the line and record everything that is said. Notify the police and the building management.
After you have been notified of a bomb threat, do not touch any suspicious packages. Clear the area around the suspicious package and notify the police immediately. In evacuating a building, avoid standing in front of windows or other potentially hazardous areas. Do not restrict sidewalks or streets to be used by emergency officials.
The likelihood of receiving a suspicious package or letter containing harmful substances is very remote. However, it is important to be aware of characteristics that are common to suspicious packages.
- Mailed from a foreign country
- Badly typed or hand written
- Strange odor
- Excessive postage
- Lopsided or protruding items
- Rigid or bulky
- Addressed to title only
- Wrong title with name
- Oily stains
- No return address
- Misspelled words
- Restrictive markings
What to do if you receive a suspicious package:
- Leave the letter or package alone. Do not move the item. Isolate the area.
- Contact your local law enforcement agency (call 911) and explain what has occurred.
- If the package is determined to be potentially hazardous, local emergency officials will conduct appropriate testing and disposal.
- If you come in contact with an unknown substance you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Shower if possible. Remove contaminated clothing and personal items and place in a plastic bag.
- Collect contact information of all individuals who may have been exposed to a hazardous substance.
- If exposed to a hazardous substance contact your personal physician or local hospital for health monitoring and any necessary treatment.
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