SURVIVINGDISASTERS

A Citizen’s Emergency Handbook

Illinois Department of Public Health

For additional copies of this handbook, contact –Illinois Department of Public Health

Division of Communications535 W. Jefferson St.Springfield, IL 62761

217-782-5750

TTY (hearing impaired use only) 800-547-0466Fax 217-782-3987

Printed by Authority of the State of Illinois

For more information on how you can better copewith specific disasters and emergencies,

contact your local library or –

Illinois Emergency Management Agency2200 S. Dirksen Parkway

Springfield, IL 62703217-782-2700800-782-7860

orFederal Emergency Management Agency

Federal Center Plaza500 C St. SW

Washington, D.C. 20472202-566-1600

SURVIVING DISASTERSA Citizen’s Emergency Handbook

Illinois Department of Public Health

57

kind of light. The light itselfcould cause an explosion.

5. If you smell gas, turnoff the main gas valve atthe meter.■ Do not turn on lights —

they can produce sparksthat will ignite the gas.

■ Leave the house immedi-ately and notify the gascompany or the police.

■ Do not re-enter thehouse until an authorizedperson tells you it is safeto do so.6. Notify the power

company or fire departmentif you see fallen or damagedelectrical wires.

7. If any appliances arewet, turn off the main elec-trical power switch in yourhome before you unplugthem. Dry out appliances,wall switches and socketsbefore you plug appliancesin again. Call utility compa-nies for guidance.

8. Check food andwater supplies for contami-nation and spoilage. Followspecific instructions fromyour local health departmentor agriculture extensionagency.

9. Wear sturdy shoeswhen walking throughdebris or broken glass, anduse heavy gloves whenremoving debris.

Introduction .............................................................1

General Guidance...................................................2

Emergency Supplies...............................................4

After a Disaster .......................................................6

Earthquakes..........................................................15

Tornadoes .............................................................18

Floods ...................................................................20

Winter Storms.......................................................29

Fire........................................................................33

Nuclear Power Plant Accident ..............................36

Terrorism...............................................................41

Evacuation ............................................................54

SURVIVING DISASTERSA Citizen’s Emergency Handbook

Table of Contents

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Evacuation PeriodsEvacuation periods can

last for hours or severaldays. For part or all of thistime, you may be responsiblefor your own food, clothingand other supplies untilhelp arrives or utilities arerepaired.

Advanced Planning forEvacuation

1. Use the chapter onemergency supplies as aguide to learn what youshould gather for you andyour family in case of evac-uation. Collect these crucialmaterials, especially foodand water, well in advanceof a disaster. Remember,once you are told to evacu-ate, you may have only min-utes to leave.

2. Review evacuationprocedures with your familyso that everyone under-stands what to do andwhere to meet if you areseparated.■ Ask a friend or relative

outside your area to bethe “checkpoint,” so fam-ily members can callthat person to say theyare safe.

■ Find out where childrenwill be sent if they are inschool when an evacua-tion is announced.3. Plan now where you

will go if you must evacuate.■ Consider the homes of

relatives or friends wholive nearby but outsidethe potential disasterarea.

■ Contact the local emer-gency management orcivil defense office forcommunity evacuationplans. Review publicinformation to identifyreception centers andshelter areas such asschools, churches,national guard armoriesor other public buildings.4. Keep fuel in your car

at all times. During emergen-cies, filling stations may beclosed. Never store extrafuel in the garage.

5. If you do not have acar or other vehicle, maketransportation arrangementswith friends, neighbors oryour local emergency man-agement office.

6. Know where andhow to shut off your home’selectricity, gas and water atthe main switches and

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IntroductionNo matter where you

live, your community mayexperience a natural or man-made disaster — a tornado,flood, winter storm, earth-quake, fire, nuclear powerplant accident or terroristattack. In any type of dis-aster, lives can be saved ifpeople are prepared for theemergency, and know whatactions to take when itoccurs. This handbook canhelp. It was compiled by theIllinois Department of PublicHealth, with assistance fromthe Office of HomelandSecurity, the American RedCross, the FederalEmergency ManagementAgency and the IllinoisEmergency ManagementAgency. This handbook con-tains information and guid-ance on what can be doneto enhance survival in theevent of a disaster.

Individuals and familiescan prepare for any type ofemergency by using thebasic information in thishandbook. The actions rec-ommended are general in

nature and should supple-ment specific instructionsissued by local authorities.

For information on yourcommunity’s disaster plan,contact your local emer-gency management office.

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Evacuation Disasters force peopleto evacuate their homesmore often than you mayrealize. Transportation orindustrial accidents releaseharmful substances, forcingthousands of people toleave their homes for asafer area. Fires and floodsresult in evacuation evenmore frequently.

Therefore, local evacua-tion planning is important.Specific evacuation plansvary by community and bythe type of disaster, so con-tact your local emergencymanagement or civil defenseoffice for your community’splans.

How Much Time Will YouHave to Evacuate?

The amount of time youwill have to evacuateyour home or communitydepends on the type ofdisaster. In disastersresulting from a haz-

ardous material spill, youmay have only moments

to leave. Thismeans you mustprepare now, foryou may have

no time to collect even themost basic necessities.

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GeneralGuidanceThere are actions you cantake that will help you to getready for, and to cope with,almost any type of disaster.Knowing what to do is yourbest protection and yourresponsibility.

Perhaps the most basicthing to remember is to keepcalm. This may mean thedifference between life anddeath. In disasters, peopleoften are killed or injuredneedlessly because theyacted thoughtlessly or didnothing.

In a time of disaster, tak-ing proper action may saveyour life. Take time to think,and then take the appropri-ate action. Usually, this willbe action you have plannedin advance, or the actionyou are instructed to takeby local authorities.

Whenever a major stormor other potential disasterthreatens, keep your radioor television turned on tohear weather reports andforecasts, as well as otherinformation and advice that

may be broadcast by localauthorities.

Use your telephone onlyto report important events(such as fires, flash floodsor tornado sightings) tolocal police. If you tie up thetelephone lines, you mayprevent emergency callsfrom being completed.

A knowledge of first aidand emergency medicalcare can save lives andreduce suffering. Bothadults and teenagers canacquire these valuable skillsby taking general first aidcourses and specialtycourses, such as cardiopul-monary resuscitation(CPR), which are offeredfree in many communities.

In a fire or other emer-gency, you may need toevacuate your house, apart-ment or mobile home on amoment’s notice. You shouldbe ready to get out fast.

Develop an escape planby drawing a floor plan ofyour residence, showing thelocation of doors, windows,stairways and large furni-ture. Indicate the location ofemergency supplies, fireextinguishers, smoke detec-

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Following a terrorist attack

EvacuationIf local authorities ask

you to leave your home,they have a good reason tomake this request and youshould heed the adviceimmediately. Listen to yourradio or television and fol-low the instructions of thelocal emergency officialsand keep these simple tipsin mind:■ Wear long-sleeved

shirts, long pants andsturdy shoes so you canbe protected as much aspossible.

■ Take your disaster sup-plies kit.

■ Take your pets with you;do not leave thembehind.

■ Lock your home.■ Use travel routes speci-

fied by local authorities.Don’t use shortcutsbecause certain areasmay be impassable ordangerous.

■ Stay away from downedpower lines.

Shelter in PlaceIf you are advised by

local officials to “shelter in

place,” it means you are toremain inside your home oroffice and protect yourselfthere.■ Close and lock all win-

dows and exterior doors.■ Turn off all fans and

heating and air condi-tioning systems.

■ Close the fireplacedamper.

■ Get your disaster sup-plies kit and make surethe radio is working.

■ Go to an interior roomwithout windows that’sabove ground level. Inthe case of a chemicalthreat, an above-groundlocation is preferablebecause some chemicalsare heavier than air andmay seep into basementseven if the windows areclosed.

■ Using duct tape, seal allcracks around the doorand any vents into theroom. Keep listening toyour radio or televisionuntil you are told all issafe or you are told toevacuate. Stay if told todo so.

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tors, collapsible ladders, firstaid kits and utility shut offpoints. Next, draw a brokenline charting at least twoescape routes from eachroom. Finally, mark a placeoutside of the home wherehousehold members shouldmeet if an evacuation isnecessary. Be sure toinclude important pointsoutside, such as garages,patios, stairways, elevators,driveways and porches. Puttogether escape plans foreach floor of your home.Practice emergency evacu-ation drills with all house-hold members at least twotimes each year.

Maintain your car in goodoperating condition with anample supply of gasoline incase you have to leave yourhome.

Know how and where toshut off gas, water andelectricity to your house-hold. Keep necessary toolsor wrenches handy.

Keep important papersin a safety deposit box at abank. House deed, insur-ance policies, birth certifi-cates, and lists and photosof your possessions for

insurance purposes will beessential after the disaster.

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can neutralize some ofthese agents. For example,bleaching powder canlessen skin injuries fromexposure to mustard gas, atype of blister agent, ifapplied soon after contact.

Medical or drug treat-ment can help some victimsof chemical weapons. Thereare antidotes available thatneutralize the effects ofnerve agents. Since nerveagents can kill in minutes,the antidotes must beinjected almost immediatelyafter exposure.

For the effects of mostother chemical weapons,symptomatic and/or sup-portive treatments can beadministered.

In the event of a chemicalagent attack, authoritieswould instruct citizens eitherto seek shelter where theyare and seal the premisesor to evacuate immediately.Most chemical agents arenot detectable without spe-cial equipment so you shouldnot leave the shelter untilappropriate notification hasbeen given that the chemicalagent is no longer a threat.Do not leave the shelter toassist or rescue victims.

Nuclear TerrorismTerrorists could potentially

target nuclear facilities.The primary risk associ-

ated with nuclear facilities isa physical attack or act ofsabotage designed to causean uncontrolled release ofradioactivity to the surround-ing environment. If terroristswere to attack a nuclearpower plant, the state’semergency response andthe actions to be taken bythe public would be thesame as if there were anaccident at a nuclear plant.(See previous chapter onnuclear power plants.)

Although terrorists havenever used a nuclearweapon, some terroristgroups have attempted toacquire the material to makeone. The nuclear industry iskeenly aware of the dangersof nuclear material fallinginto terrorists’ hands. Thereis a complex infrastructureat work to ensure nuclearmaterial is accounted for,safeguarded from diversion,and protected from theftand sabotage.

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EmergencySupplies

A disaster of almost anykind may interfere with yournormal supplies of food,water, heat and other day-to-day necessities. Keep astock of emergency supplieson hand sufficient to meetyour needs for a week.

If you stay at home duringthe disaster, these suppliescould help you live throughthe period of emergencywithout hardship. If youmust evacuate your homeand move temporarily to

another location, youremergency suppliescould be taken with

you. Even if you onlymove to an emergencyshelter station, thesesupplies might lessenthe burden on the shel-ter and make your stayeasier.It is also a good idea to

prepare a disaster sup-plies kit. Some items thatare easily obtainable maybecome difficult to find

after a disaster. The kitshould include the following:■ a battery-powered radio

and a flashlight, with extrabatteries for each

■ bottled drinking water—one gallon per day per

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spreading potentiallyinfectious material toface or skin. Seek addi-tional instructions forexposed or potentiallyexposed persons.

■ If at work, notify asupervisor, a securityofficer or a law enforce-ment official. If at home,contact the local lawenforcement agency.

Chemical TerrorismChemical agents are

poisonous gases, liquids orsolids that can kill or inca-pacitate people and ani-mals. Some chemicalagents are odorless andtasteless, thus making themdifficult to detect. Thesechemicals can have animmediate or delayed effect.

Depending on the agent,human exposure can occurvia skin, inhalation, inges-tion of contaminated wateror food, or entry throughother mucous-lined areassuch as the eyes, nose andopen cuts.

Exposure to chemicalagents can be fatal.Severity of injuries dependson the type and amount ofthe chemical agent used

and the duration of expo-sure. There are four cate-gories of agents:■ Nerve – These types of

chemicals disrupt thetransmission of nerveimpulses in the body.The effects of nerveagents appear almostimmediately and ofteninclude visual distur-bance, runny nose,chest tightness, nausea,vomiting, convulsionsand death.

■ Blister – These agentscause skin burns andblisters, and may damagethe eyes, airways, lungsand other internal organs.

■ Blood – These rapidlyacting agents can causeseizures, respiratory fail-ure and cardiac arrest.

■ Pulmonary – If inhaled,these types of chemicalscan result in varyingdegrees of pulmonaryedema, usually after asymptom-free periodthat varies in durationwith the amount inhaled.Quick decontamination

of exposed surfaces is pos-sible for most chemicalagents. Bleach, specialpowders, or soap and water

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person, with at least athree-day supply for eachperson in your household,and as much drinkableliquid (fruit and vegetablejuices, soft drinks, etc.) ascan be carried

■ canned or sealed pack-aged foods that do notrequire refrigeration orcooking and a can opener

■ a blanket or sleeping bagfor each family member

■ writing materials to takenotes or information fromradio or television broad-casts

■ hammer, pliers andwrench

■ pocket knife■ fire extinguisher■ signal flare and whistle■ soap and towels■ paper towels and toilet

paper■ household laundry bleach

(unscented)■ an extra set of car keys

and a credit card, cash ortraveler’s checks

■ one change of clothingand footwear per person

■ a list of family physicians■ first-aid kit and manual■ non-prescription drugs,

including mild pain reliev-ers and antiseptic

■ any special prescriptionmedicines or foods need-ed by family members,

such as insulin, hearttablets, dietetic food andbaby food (Do not store inthe kit for long periods butadd at the last minute.)Ideally you should pre-

pare two kits and storeeach in water-tight contain-ers. Keep one in the base-ment of your home or nearthe front door. Keep thesecond kit in the trunk ofyour car.

Additional SuppliesOther items may prove

helpful:■ plastic bags (small and

large)■ a cooler and freezer-packs■ salt■ paper cups■ baking soda■ spoons■ matches■ tape■ needles and thread■ pre-moistened

towelettes■ splinting material■ hand lotion■ disposable diapers■ cotton balls■ sanitary napkins■ bandages■ extra eye glasses■ medicine dropper■ contact lenses and

supplies

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Suspicious MailTerrorists have used a

biological agent, Bacillusanthracis, in letters mailedthrough the U.S. PostalService. Other forms ofattack, such as bombs, alsocan be distributed by mail.

Characteristics of suspi-cious packages and lettersinclude –■ Inappropriate or unusual

labeling■ Excessive postage■ Handwritten or poorly

typed addresses■ Misspellings of common

words■ Strange return address

or no return address■ Incorrect titles or title

without a name■ Not addressed to specific

person; marked withrestrictions, such as“Personal,” “Confidential”or “Do not X-Ray”

■ Marked with threateninglanguage

■ Postmark from a city orstate different from thereturn address andexcessive packagingmaterialAppearance

■ Powdery substance feltthrough or appearing on

the package■ Oily stains, discol-

orations or odor■ Lopsided or uneven

envelope■ Excessive weight■ Ticking sound■ Protruding wires or alu-

minum foilSuspicious packages or

envelopes should be handledas follows:■ Do not shake or empty

the contents of a suspi-cious package or enve-lope.

■ Do not carry the packageor envelope, show it toothers or allow others toexamine it.

■ Put the package or enve-lope on a stable surface;do not sniff, touch, tasteor look closely at thepackage or any contentsthat may have spilled.

■ Alert others in the areaabout the suspiciouspackage or envelope.Leave the area, closeany doors and takeactions to prevent othersfrom entering the area. Ifpossible, shut off theventilation system.

■ Wash hands with soapand water to prevent

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After aDisaster

Your first concern after adisaster is the safety of yourfamily, friends and neighbors.If possible, obtain medicalattention for serious injuries.Persons with a puncturewound or deep cut mayneed a tetanus shot if theyhave not had one in thepast five years.

If professional medicalassistance is not immediate-ly available, persons with aknowledge of first aid andemergency medical carecan save lives and reducesuffering. Do not attempt tomove seriously injured per-sons unless they are inimmediate danger of furtherinjury.

Tune to a local radio ortelevision station for

advice and instructionsand the latest emergency

information. If your area isdeclared a disasterarea, local radio andtelevision stations willcarry information on

where to go for disasterassistance.

Use extreme cautionin entering or working in

buildings that may havebeen damaged or weakenedby the disaster — they maycollapse without warning.

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Stockpiling AntibioticsAntibiotics are used to

successfully treat a varietyof diseases, but there is noone antibiotic effectiveagainst all diseases. Theprecautionary use of antibi-otics when there is no expo-sure is not recommendedbecause such a measurecan weaken resistanceagainst other diseases anddeplete the supply of drugsthat might be needed in areal emergency. Antibioticsshould only be taken withmedical supervision.Keeping a supply of antibi-otics poses other problemsbecause there is a limitedshelf life before they losetheir strength.

The federal governmenthas stockpiled antibiotics forlarge-scale distribution inthe event of a bioterroristattack. The National StrategicStockpile is designed toensure the availability andrapid deployment of life-saving pharmaceuticals,antidotes, other medicalsupplies and equipment toany U.S. location in theevent of a terrorist attackinvolving a biological orchemical agent.

Gas MasksA gas mask is not a

good buy or good protectionagainst potential bioterroristthreats. Different types ofmasks and filters protectagainst different types ofbiological and chemicalagents. If you were to buyone type and an attack witha different agent occurred,your mask would be use-less. In addition, most of thegas masks on the marketare used and gas maskslose their effectiveness overtime.

New gas masks withNBC (nuclear, biological,chemical) filters are effectiveagainst a variety of agents.However, protection againstsome airborne agents mayrequire a full protective suit.Even if you had the propermask and/or suit for a givenagent, you would have towear it 24 hours a day inorder to be safe. Biologicaland chemical agents couldbe in the air without yourknowledge.

To make matters worse,gas masks can be difficultto use properly. Peoplehave been known to suffo-cate in their masks.

7

There also may be gas leaksor electrical short circuits.

Put on heavy shoes toavoid injury from glass andother debris.

Use battery-poweredflashlights or lanterns if youdo not have electricity. Donot use candles, oil or gaslanterns, or torches becausegas lines may be broken andan explosion could occur.

Check for leaking gaspipes in your home. Do thisby smell only — do not usematches or candles. If yousmell gas or suspect a leak,turn off the main gas valveat the meter, open all win-dows and leave the house.

Immediately notify thegas company, police or firedepartment. Do not turnlights on or off, light match-es or do anything that couldcause a spark. Do not re-enter the house until youare told it is safe to do so.

If you are without heat,put on several layers ofclothing. A fireplace or elec-tric stove may be used forheat. Fireplaces should bechecked for cracks anddamage to the chimney orflue. Unnoticed damagecould lead to a fire. Gas

stoves can generate a sub-stantial amount of carbonmonoxide and should notbe used for heat.

If damage to the electri-cal system is suspected(frayed wires, sparks or thesmell of hot insulation), turnoff the electrical system atthe main box. If any of yourelectrical appliances are wet,

first turnoff themainpowerswitch,then

unplug the appliance, dry itout, reconnect it and finallyturn on the main powerswitch. If fuses blow whenthe electric power isrestored, turn off the mainpower switch again andthen inspect for short circuitsin your home wiring, appli-ances and equipment.(Caution: Do not do any ofthese things if you are wetor standing in water.)

Do not touch downedpower lines or objectstouched by downed powerlines.

If water leaks are foundor suspected, shut off thewater at the main valve.

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Bioterrorism Disease Chart

Disease Germ Symptoms Treatment

Anthrax Bacillus Inhalation: Fever, Antibiotics, if(bacterial) anthracis fatigue, chest pain, prescribed early

difficulty breathing

Skin: Fever, fatigue, Antibioticsheadache, swollen lymphnodes and skin ulcer

Gastrointestinal: Sore Antibiotics, if throat, difficulty swallow- prescribed earlying, fever, swollen lymphnodes, vomiting blood orbloody diarrhea

Botulism Clostridium Progressive paralysis, If given early, equine (bacterial) botulinum respiratory failure antitoxin treats most cases.

Cholera Vibrio cholerae Acute diarrhea, vomiting, Immediate replacement of(bacterial) leg cramps fluids. Antibiotics can

shorten course anddiminish severity of illness.

Hemorrhagic Several viruses Vary by type, but often No treatment for mostfevers include fever, headache, VHFs other than supportive(viral) dizziness, muscle aches, therapies. Ribavirin for

abnormal bleeding some VHFs

Pneumonic Yersinia pestis High fever, chills, Several antibiotics, plague headache, cough with including streptomycin,(bacterial) bloody sputum doxycycline and

ciprofloxacin

Q Fever Coxiella burnetii Fever, headache, Doxycycline is most(bacterial) weakness, severe effective when initiated

sweating within first three days.

Salmonellosis Salmonella Diarrhea, fever, chills, Usually resolves in five to(bacterial) dehydration 10 days and does not

require treatment in mostcases

Smallpox Variola virus High fever, aches Vaccination up to four days(viral) (mostly back), rash on after exposure; no proven

arms, legs, palms of treatment later; antibioticshands, soles of feet for secondary bacterial

infections

Tularemia Francisella Fever, headache, tired- Antibiotics such as(bacterial) tularensis ness, chest discomfort, streptomycin or gentamicin

loss of appetite, cough

8

Emergency water may beobtained from such sourcesas hot water tanks, toilettanks (not the bowl and onlyif the tanks do not havedeodorizers) and melted icecubes. If water from hotwater heaters or the tanksof toilets is used, it shouldbe boiled first.

Check your food suppliesbefore using them. Foodsthat require refrigerationmay be spoiled if electricpower has been off for anextended period of time. Donot eat food that has comein contact with flood waters.

A disaster may damagepublic water supply systemsresulting in contaminatedwater. After a flood, considerall water unsafe. Listen forpublic announcements on

the safety ofthe munici-pal water

supply. Ifyou haveto usewaterfrom the

faucet, boilit at a rolling

boil for at least five minutes.If you cannot boil, add eightdrops of household bleach

to each gallon of water. Mixthoroughly and allow tostand for 30 minutes. Onlywater that is clean inappearance and free ofodor should be treated thisway. To be safe, drink bot-tled water, juices or waterpreviously stored in therefrigerator.

Be sure to follow theinstructions of local authori-ties concerning the use offood and water.

If necessary, seek food,clothing, medical care andshelter from Red Crossemergency shelter sites orfrom local governmentauthorities.

Open closets and cup-boards carefully.

Check emergency sup-plies.

Stay away from disasterareas. Sightseeing couldinterfere with first aid orrescue work and may bedangerous as well.

Do not drive unlessnecessary; if you drive, doso with caution. Watch forhazards to yourself andothers, and report them tolocal authorities.

Do not pass on rumorsor exaggerated reports ofdamage.

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BioterrorismBiological agents are

organisms or toxins that canproduce illness or death inpeople and animals. Theycan be dispersed asaerosols or airborne particlesor by infected individuals.Terrorists also can use bio-logical agents to contaminatefood or water.

Numerous biologicalagents could be used asweapons, but governmentofficials believe the mostlikely pathogens wouldcause diseases that includeanthrax, smallpox, botulism,cholera, plague, Q fever,salmonellosis, tularemiaand viral hemorrhagic fever.

Because biologicalagents take time to cause adisease, a biological attackmay not be obvious for daysto weeks depending on theincubation period of the dis-ease. If government officialsbecome aware of a biologicalattack through an informantor warning by terrorists, theywould most likely instructcitizens to either seek shelterwhere they are and seal thepremises or evacuateimmediately.

If there is no warning,the most likely way theattack will be detected isthrough the state or federalgovernment’s disease sur-veillance system. Throughthis system, health careproviders and public healthofficials are constantly onguard for unusual clustersof illness.

A person affected by abiological agent requiresthe immediate attention ofprofessional medical per-sonnel. Some resultant dis-eases – plague, smallpoxand viral hemorrhagicfevers – are contagious,and victims may need to beisolated. While it is possiblefor Q fever to be transmittedfrom person to person, itis rare.

Information, treatmentoptions and other advicewould be provided by gov-ernment officials to the publicthrough the news media.

9

If the presence ofradioactive material is sus-pected, law enforcement willrope off and station guardsaround the area.

Follow the advice andinstructions of your localgovernment on ways to helpyourself and your communityrecover from the emergency.Be prepared to evacuate ifnecessary.

Notify your relativeswhen you are at a safelocation. Local authoritiesmay use valuable time andresources looking for familymembers if their location isunknown.

Personal Hygiene andGeneral Cleanliness

Following a disaster, itcan be difficult to maintaingood hygiene and cleanli-ness. These steps will helpyou serve safe foods andbeverages:

In order to prevent thespread of infection, alwayswash your hands with plen-ty of soap and water beforehandling or preparing foodor eating. Make sure chil-dren do the same. Useplastic or rubber gloves ifyou have any kind of skin

cut, burn or infection onyour hands.■ Wash hands, work sur-

faces and utensils in hot,soapy water after eachstep in food preparation.Do not put cooked meat,poultry or fish in thesame container that held

the raw prod-uct. The

cooked food maybecome contaminatedwith bacteria from theraw juices.

■ Keep cloths washed anddish towels clean.Bacteria can linger orremain in towels andcloths, so wash kitchenlinen often.

■ Wash dishes and uten-sils only in water that issafe to drink. Boil unsafewater for five minutes oradd eight drops of laun-dry bleach to each gallonof water, mix thoroughlyand allow to stand 30minutes before using it.

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If there is a fire –■ Stay low to the floor and

exit the building asquickly as possible.

■ Cover nose and mouthwith a wet cloth.

■ When approaching aclosed door, use thepalm of your hand andforearm to feel the lower,middle and upper partsof the door. If it is nothot, brace yourselfagainst the door andopen it slowly. If it is hotto the touch, do notopen the door; seek analternative escape route.

■ Heavy smoke and poi-sonous gases collectfirst along the ceiling.Stay below the smoke atall times.If the terrorist attack

occurs near you, check forinjuries. Give first aid andget help for seriouslyinjured people.

If the attack occurs nearyour home while you arethere, check for damageusing a flashlight. Do notlight matches or candles orturn on electrical switchesbecause gas lines may bebroken and an explosioncould occur. Check for fires,

fire hazards and otherhousehold hazards. Sniff forgas leaks, starting at thewater heater. If you smellgas or suspect a leak, turnoff the main gas valve, openwindows and get everyoneoutside quickly.

Shut off any other dam-aged utilities. Confine orsecure your pets. Call yourfamily contact. Do not usethe telephone again unlessit is a life-threatening emer-gency because the tele-phone lines will most likelybe overwhelmed. Check onyour neighbors, especiallythose who are disabled orelderly.

If you are trapped indebris –■ Use a flashlight.■ Stay in your area so that

you do not kick up dust.Cover your mouth with ahandkerchief or clothing.

■ Tap on a pipe or wall sothat rescuers can hearwhere you are. Use awhistle if one is avail-able. Shout only as alast resort – shoutingcan cause a person toinhale dangerousamounts of dust.

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■ Use sanitary disposableeating utensils whenthere is a shortage ofsafe drinking water.

IllnessDisease outbreaks may

occur after disasters. In theevent illness occurs, reportsymptoms to a physician ornurse. Persons with diarrheaor vomiting, and those livingin temporary group housingwho develop fever, sorethroat, cough or othersymptoms (except for thecommon cold) should notifya physician or health nurse.Persons who are sick shouldnot help prepare meals.

Because children some-times have intestinal infec-tions without showing symp-toms, and then often haveinadequate hygienic prac-tices, adults should checkthat children (especiallyyoung children) thoroughlywash hands after using thetoilet. This reduces the riskof disease transmission.

Dispose of used diapersin a plastic bag or othercontainer that can be closedtightly to prevent contact byothers.

Food Spoilage vs. FoodPoisoning

It is important to knowthe organisms that causefood to spoil are differentfrom the organisms thatcause food poisoning andmake you sick. Whenspoilage organisms —some bacteria, molds andyeasts — affect the look,smell or taste of the food,throw the food away.

Unfortunately, the bacte-ria that commonly causefoodborne illness — mild tosevere symptoms of vomit-ing, abdominal pain, diarrheaand sometimes fever — arenot so obvious. Theseorganisms rarely affectsmell, taste and appearanceof food to indicate that it isunsafe to eat. Followingthese simple rules will helpprevent foodborne illness:■ Cook foods thoroughly,

especially meats, poultryand pork. Use a meat-roasting thermometer inthe thickest portion ofthe meat. Cook chickento 180 degrees F, porkto 160 degrees F andbeef to 160 degrees F.

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If accented, what type ofaccent?

Background soundsStreet noisesFactory noisesRestaurant noises Animal noisesVoicesClearP.A. systemStaticMusicLocalHouse noisesLong distanceMotorPhone boothOffice machinesOther

Threat languageWell spoken (educated)IncoherentTapedFoulIrrationalMessage read by threat

maker

Report call immediately toyour local police agency

Phone numberYour name Your telephone number

After you have beennotified of a bomb threat,do not touch any suspiciouspackages. Clear the areaaround any suspiciouspackage and notify thepolice immediately. Whenevacuating a building, avoidstanding in front of windowsor other potentially hazard-ous areas. Move a safe dis-tance away from the building.Do not restrict sidewalk orstreets to be used by emer-gency officials.

What To Do In A TerroristAttack

Take action to protectyourself and others. Remaincalm and be patient. Listento the radio or television fornews and instructions, andfollow the advice of localemergency officials.

In a building explosion,get out of the building asquickly and calmly as possi-ble. If items are falling off ofbookshelves or from theceiling, get under a sturdytable or desk. Untrainedpersons should not attemptto rescue people who areinside a collapsed building.Wait for emergency person-nel to arrive.

11

■ Refrigerate leftoversimmediately after themeal. If there are largevolumes of food to cool(more than one or twopounds, or 1/2 gallon ofliquid), divide the foodinto several shallow con-tainers or smaller piecesto cool it faster. This pre-vents bacteria from mul-tiplying rapidly in thewarm food.

■ Do not thaw frozen foodat room temperature.Either cook it frozen orthaw it in the refrigeratoror in a place where thetemperature is lowerthan 41 degrees F.

■ Use only pasteurizedmilk.

■ Wash your hands thor-oughly before handlingfood, especially afterhandling raw meats orpoultry and after usingthe bathroom.

■ Do not leave high-proteinfoods (raw or cooked)sitting out at room tem-perature. Keep them hot(over 145 degrees F) orkeep them cold (under41 degrees F).

Examine Canned GoodsCarefully examine

canned goods that havebeen submerged in floodwaters, frozen, in a fire orcrushed. Some cans maybe safe to use after a goodcleaning and some may not.Follow these guidelines:■ Containers with cork-

lined lids or caps, screwtops or pop tops arenearly impossible toclean thoroughly aroundthe opening after beingunderwater or in a fire. Ifthere have been anymajor temperaturechanges, contaminantsmay actually have beensucked into the container.Discard these containers.

■ Tin cans are usuallysafe if they appearundamaged. Wash thesecans in bleach water

44

American Red Cross foradditional information.

■ Keep the following itemsin a designated place oneach floor of the building— portable, battery-operated radio and extrabatteries; several flash-lights and extra batteries;first aid kit and manual;several hard hats; andfluorescent tape to ropeoff dangerous areas.

Bomb threatsIf you receive a bomb

threat, get as much informa-tion as possible from thecaller. Keep the caller onthe line and record every-thing that is said. The follow-ing checklist will assist youin recording the necessaryinformation:

TimeDateCaller ID #

Questions to ask1. When is the device

going to explode or release?2. Where is it right now?3. What does it look like?4. What kind of device or

package is it?

5. What is in the pack-age? Chemicals? Germs?

6. What will cause it toexplode or release its con-tents?

7. Did you place thepackage, bomb or device?

8. Why?9. What is your address?10. What is your name?

Exact wording of the threat

Additional information Sex of callerRaceAge of callerCall duration

Caller’s voice (check all that apply)Calm NasalAngry StutterExcited LispSlow RaspySoft RaggedLoud Clearing throatLaughing Deep breathingCrying Cracked voiceNormal DisgustedDistinct AccentSlurred FamiliarWhispered Altered

If voice is familiar, who did itsound like?

12

(1/4-cup bleach in onegallon of water) for oneminute, then dry to pre-vent rusting.

■ If cans have pitted rustspots that cannot bebuffed off with a softcloth, corrosion mayallow contamination toenter through holes inthe walls of the can.Discard these cans.

■ Cans with ends thatbulge or spring in andout when pressed,should be discardedimmediately. This usuallymeans bacteria aregrowing inside and pro-ducing gas to expandthe can. Do not tastethe contents of suchcans.

■ If a can is crushed,dented or creased,closely examine it to seeif it is safe to use. A dentmay weaken the seamand allow contamination.If a dent or crease isvery sharp, the contentsmay be contaminated.Discard these cans. Donot taste.

What To Do When YourFreezer Fails

When the electricity isoff, a fully stocked freezerwill keep food frozen twodays if the door remainsclosed. A half-full freezer cankeep foods frozen about oneday. What can you do ifelectric service will not bere-connected within one ortwo days?■ Keep the freezer door

closed.■ Divide up your frozen

foods among friends’freezers if they haveelectricity.

■ Seek freezer space in astore, church, school ora commercial meat lock-er or freezer that haselectrical service.

■ Know where you canbuy dry and block ice.

■ Put dry ice in your freez-er. Never touch dry icewith bare hands! Itfreezes every-thing it touch-es. Twenty-five pounds ofdry ice willhold a 10-cubic-footfreezerbelow

43

and telephone numbers(home, work, pager andcell).

■ Establish a meetingplace. Having a pre-determined meetingplace right outside yourhouse and another out-side your neighborhoodwill save time and mini-mize confusion shouldyour home be affectedor the area evacuated.You may even want tomake arrangements tostay with a family mem-ber or friend in case ofan emergency. Be sureto include any pets inthese plans.

■ Prepare disaster supplykits. If you need to stayin your home, evacuateyour home or are askedto take shelter, havingessential supplies onhand will make you andyour family more comfort-able. Two kits should beprepared — one thatcan be kept in the houseand another that can betaken with you. For com-plete information on whatto include in the kits, referto the emergency supplieschapter in this booklet.

■ School emergencyplans. If you have chil-dren, learn what theemergency plans are attheir school(s). Someschools will send childrenhome alone; othersrequire a parent ordesignated adult to pickthem up. Be sure theschool has updatedinformation about how toreach parents or respon-sible caregivers.

■ Work emergency plans.Learn what the emer-gency plans are at yourworkplace.

Preparing for a buildingexplosion

The use of explosives byterrorists can result in col-lapsed buildings and fires.People who live or work in amulti-level building shoulddo the following:■ Review emergency

evacuation procedures.Know where the fireexits are located.

■ Keep fire extinguishersin working order. Knowwhere they are locatedand how to use them.

■ Learn first aid. Contactthe local chapter of the

13

freezing for three to fourdays. Do not stick yourhead into a freezer thatcontains dry ice. Dry icegives off carbon dioxide,which replaces oxygen,so leave the door open ashort time before examin-ing your food.

■ If you are not sure howlong the electricity hasbeen off, discard any foodthat smells bad, is slimy,has an unusual color oris room temperature.

■ If food is still “cold-to-the-touch,” it may be cookedand eaten immediately,or refrozen.

What To Do When YourRefrigerator Fails

When power goes off inthe refrigerator, you cannormally expect food insideto stay safely cold for four tosix hours, depending onhow warm your kitchen is.■ High-protein foods (dairy

products, meat, fish, poul-try) should be consumedas soon as possible ifpower is not restoredimmediately. They cannotbe stored safely at roomtemperature.

■ Fruits and vegetablescan be kept at roomtemperature safely untilthere are obvious signsof spoilage (mold, slime,wilt). With good ventila-tion, vegetables lastlonger at room tempera-ture. Remove them fromthe refrigerator if electri-cal service may notresume soon.

CleanupIf property damage is

extensive, heavy equipmentsuch as bulldozers may beused. It is important toidentify or “flag” any under-ground utilities, such asprivate sewage systems orwater wells, so they are notdamaged by the equipment.

During cleanup, it isimportant to wear protectiveclothing. Boots,rubber gloves andlong-sleevedshirts help reducecontact withcontaminateditems. Takecare not tostep onnails or otherprotrudingitems.

42

shootings and the use ofchemical, biological ornuclear agents.

Terrorists look for visibletargets where they canavoid detection before andafter an attack, such asinternational airports, largecities, major internationalevents, resorts or high-pro-file landmarks. One way thegovernment has attemptedto reduce the nation’s vulner-ability to terrorist incidents isby increasing security atairports and other publicfacilities, along with helpingprivate industry to enhancesecurity for vital assets andinfrastructure.

You can prepare to dealwith a terrorist incident byadapting many of the sametechniques used to preparefor other crises. But, peopleshould take additional pre-cautions:■ Be alert and aware of

your surroundings. Thevery nature of terrorismsuggests there may belittle or no warning.

■ Be careful when travel-ing. Be aware of con-spicuous or unusualbehavior. Do not acceptpackages from

strangers. Do not leaveluggage unattended.

■ Learn where emergencyexits are located. Thinkahead about how toevacuate a building,subway or congestedpublic area in a hurry.Learn where staircasesare located.

■ Notice your immediatesurroundings. Be awareof heavy or breakableobjects that could move,fall or break in an explo-sion.

PreparednessDevelop a disaster plan foryour family■ Choose an out-of-town

contact your family orhousehold will call or E-mail to check on eachother should a disasteroccur. Your selectedcontact should live farenough away thathe/she would be unlikelyto be directly affected bythe same event; be surethe person knowshe/she is the chosencontact. Make sure everyhousehold member hasthe contact’s and eachother’s E-mail addresses

14

Sewage DisposalOften sewage systems

are not usable after disasters.Earthquakes can causeextensive undergrounddamage in addition to struc-tural damage to buildings anddwellings. Tornado damageis typically limited to aboveground. In either case, anextensive period of time isrequired to make repairs.After flood waters recede,minimal repairs are usuallynecessary for the sewagesystem to properly function.

Many communities pro-vide portable toilets, butthese may be limited.Flooded outdoor toiletsshould be scrubbed thor-oughly with a solution ofone-half cup of laundrybleach per gallon of water.

If no toilet facilities areavailable, deposit humanwaste in a sturdy water-tightreceptacle used for thatpurpose only. Double linethe container with garbagebags. To make it easier toempty, place a small amountof water in the receptaclebefore it is used. If wastesystem becomes functional,dispose of waste into thissystem.Another option is tobury waste by digging a

trench or pit 24 inches deepand empty the contents ofthe receptacle into this pitas soon as possible aftereach use. Also empty anywater used to wash thereceptacle into the pit ortrench. Cover the waste inthe trench after each usewith a small layer of dirt,ashes or lime. When closingthe trench, cover it with atleast 12 inches of earth.Empty, used bags can bedisposed of with normalgarbage. It is very importantthat good hand washingpractices are followed afterhandling human waste.Good hand washing is thefirst line of defense againstthe spread of many illnesses,from the common cold tomore serious illnesses suchas hepatitis A, meningitis,E. Coli and most other typesof infectious diarrhea.

41

Terrorism Terrorism is the unlawfuluse of force or violence, orthe threat of violence forpurposes of intimidation,coercion or ransom.Terrorists often use suchthreats or actions to createfear among the public, to tryto convince citizens theirgovernment is powerless toprevent terrorism and to getpublic attention for politicalor social objectives.

The effects of terrorismcan vary significantly frominjuries and loss of life toproperty damage and dis-ruptions in services such aselectricity, water supply,public transportation andcommunications.

Attacks can take severalforms, depending on thetechnological means avail-able to the terrorist, thenature of the political issuemotivating the attack andthe points of weakness of

the terrorist’s target.Before the Sept. 11,2001, attacks on NewYork and on thePentagon, most terroristincidents in the United

States were bombings.Other terrorist methods

include kidnappings, arson,

15

Earthquakes An earthquake is theshaking or trembling of thecrust of the earth, causedby underground volcanicforces or by breaking andshifting of rock beneath thesurface. Earthquakes usuallylast only for a few seconds,but can last for as much asa minute. Minor earthquakeswill cause rattling windowsand dishes; if stronger, youmay feel a shaking sensationor, in a severe earthquake,the ground may sway likethe deck of a ship. Themovement can cause build-ings and other structures to shake or collapse. Theearth, however, does notopen up and swallow awhole neighborhood.Earthquake deaths andinjuries are seldom causedby the actual movementof the ground but from

falling objects anddebris, splintering glassand fires.

EarthquakePreparedness

Survey your home forpossible hazards and

then take actionto lessen thosehazards.

40

mation materials youreceived from the utilitycompany or governmentofficials.3. Evacuate if you are

advised to do so.■ Close and lock home

doors and windows.■ Keep car windows and

vents closed; userecirculating air.

■ Listen to radio broadcastsfor evacuation routes andother instructions.4. If you are not advised

to evacuate, remain indoors.■ Close doors and win-

dows.■ Turn off the air condi-

tioner, ventilation fans,furnace and other airintakes.

■ Go to a basement orother underground areaif possible.

■ Keep a battery-poweredradio with you at alltimes.

■ If you must go outdoors,cover your nose andmouth with a handker-chief.5. Shelter livestock and

give them stored feed andprotected water, if you areadvised to do so by localauthorities.

6. Do not use the tele-phone unless absolutelynecessary. All lines will beneeded for emergency calls.

16

Another important step is tobe sure your family knowswhat to do if an earthquakeoccurs. You should learnwhere to seek shelter andhow to protect yourself.

In addition, you should —■ Anchor the water heater,

refrigerator and tall orheavy furniture to wallstuds. Prevent the refrig-erator or other heavyappliances from movingby blocking the rollers.

■ Move heavy items tolower shelves.

■ Install clips, latches andother locking devices oncabinet doors.

■ Add bracing to supportair conditioners, particu-larly on rooftops.

■ Secure gas lines byinstalling flexible con-nectors to appliances.

■ Remove all flammableliquids, such as paintingand cleaning products,to the garage or outsidestorage area. Be surethese items are storedaway from heat sourcesand appliances, particu-larly the hot waterheater or furnace.

■ Locate beds away fromwindows.

During an Earthquake1. Keep calm. Do not

run or panic. Stay whereyou are. Most injuries occuras people are entering orleaving buildings.

2. If you are indoors,take cover under a table,desk or bench, or braceyourself againstinside

wallsor door-

ways. Watch for falling, flyingand sliding objects. Stayaway from outside doors,heating units, stoves, glass,windows, chimneys andheavy objects (such asrefrigerators and machinery)that may topple or slideacross the floor.

3. If you are in a high-rise building, get under adesk until the shaking stops.Seek safety where you are.Do not use the elevator toevacuate. Wait for instruc-tions from building authori-ties. Falling debris around abuilding is a common hazard.

39

2. Learn your communi-ty’s warning system.Nuclear power plants arerequired to install sirensand other warning systemsto cover a 10-mile areaaround the plant.■ Siren tests occur on the

first Tuesday of eachmonth at 10 a.m.

■ Determine whether youcan hear the siren fromyour home, and becomefamiliar with the sound.3. Obtain public emer-

gency information materialsfrom the utility that operatesyour local nuclear powerplant or from your localemergency services office. Ifyou live within 10 miles ofthe power plant, you shouldreceive these materialsevery year from the utility.

4. Learn the emergencyplans for schools, day carecenters, nursing homes andother places where membersof your family might be. Staytuned to your local radiostations for further updates.

5. Be prepared toevacuate:■ Gather, in advance,

clothing, a battery-powered radio andpersonal items.

■ Consider your transporta-tion options. If you do notown or drive a car, callyour state or local emer-gency managementagency office and askfor more information onalternative transportation.

■ See the evacuation andchecklists chapters forimportant details.

What To Do In A NuclearPower Plant Emergency

1. Keep calm. Not allincidents result in therelease of radiation. Theincident could be containedinside the plant and poseno danger to the public.

2. Stay tuned to localradio or television stations.Local authorities will providespecific information andinstructions.■ The advice given will

depend on the nature ofthe emergency, howquickly it is evolving andhow much radiation, ifany, is likely to bereleased.

■ Local instructions takeprecedence over anyadvice given in thishandbook.

■ Review the public infor-

17

4. If you are in a publicplace, get under a table orany sturdy object, or in aninterior doorway. Avoid stop-ping under anything thatcould fall. Do not dash foran exit. If you must leave,choose your exit carefully.

5. If you are outdoors,move to an open area awayfrom buildings, utility wiresand brick or block walls thatcould fall. Once in the open,lie or sit down to avoidbeing thrown around by thequake until the shakingstops.

6. If you are in a vehi-cle, stop as quickly as safe-ty permits and stay in it untilthe shaking stops. Avoidstopping near or underbuildings, overpasses, treesand utility lines. When youdrive on, watch for hazardscreated by the earthquake,such as fallen objects,downed electric wires, orbroken or undermined road-ways.

7. Insure all telephonereceivers in the house oroffice are returned to thecradle.

8. If you are trapped ina collapsed building —

■ Put something overyour mouth and noseto protect yourselffrom dust.

■ Keep still so you donot kick up dust.

■ Tap (on metal or con-crete) to make noise;shouting may not beheard in a largebuilding.

Do not be surprised ifyou feel more than oneshock. After the first motionis felt, there may be a tem-porary decrease in themotion followed by anothershock. This phenomenon isthe arrival of different seismicwaves from the same earth-quake. Aftershocks also mayoccur. These are separateearthquakes that follow themain shock. Aftershocksmay occur several minutes,hours or even days after-wards. Aftershocks cancause additional damage orcollapse structures alreadyweakened by the mainearthquake.

Be prepared to deal withthe emotional needs of fam-ily members. Stay closeenough to touch and comforteach other.

38

and the source of theradiation, the better. Forthis reason local authori-ties may advise you toremain indoors if anaccident occurs at anearby nuclear powerplant. In some cases,the walls of your homewould provide sufficientshielding to protect you.

■ Time. Most radioactivityloses its strength fairlyquickly. In a nuclearpower plant accident orterrorist attack, the IllinoisDepartment of NuclearSafety will monitor anyrelease of radiation andadvise local authoritieswhen the threat haspassed.

How to Prepare1. Know the terms used

to describe a nuclear emer-gency.■ NOTIFICATION OF

UNUSUAL EVENTmeans a small problemhas occurred at theplant. No radiation leakis expected. Federal,state and county officialswill be told right away.No action on your partwill be necessary.

■ ALERT means a smallproblem has occurred,and small amounts ofradiation could leakinside the plant. This willnot affect you. Federal,state and county officialswill be on standby. Youshould not have to takeaction.

■ SITE AREAEMERGENCY is a moreserious problem. Smallamounts of radiationcould leak from theplant. Federal, state andcounty officials will takenecessary action toassure public safety.Area sirens may besounded. Listen to yourradio or television forsafety information.

■ GENERAL EMERGENCYis the most serious prob-lem. Radiation could leakoutside the plant and offthe plant site. The sirenswill sound. Tune to yourlocal radio or televisionstation for reports. Stateand county officials willact to assure publicsafety. Be prepared tofollow their instructionspromptly.

Tornadoes A tornado is a violentstorm with whirling winds ofup to 300 miles per hour. Itappears as a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud, from gray toblack in color, that extendstoward the ground from thebase of a thundercloud. Atornado spins like a top andmay sound like the roaringof an airplane or locomotive.These short-lived stormsare the most violent of allstorms and the mostdestructive. They occur mostfrequently during April, Mayand June.

A TORNADO WATCH(forecast) means that torna-does may occur in or nearyour area. Listen to local

radio or television sta-tions for informationand advice. Do not

use the telephone.Watch the sky to thesouth and southwest for

revolving, funnel-shapedclouds. Report these

1837

harmed by direct radiationexposure. The second zonecovers a broader area, usu-ally up to a 50-mile radiusfrom the plant, where radio-active materials could con-taminate water supplies,food crops and livestock.

Understanding RadiationEach of us is exposed to

radiation — energy that cantravel through the air —from radioactive materialsthat exist in nature. Smalltraces of radiation are evenpresent in food and water.Radiation also is releasedfrom man-made sourcessuch as X-ray machines,television sets andmicrowave ovens.

Nuclear power plantsuse the heat generatedfrom nuclear fission in acontained environment toconvert water to steam,which powers generators toproduce electricity.

In general, radiation hasa cumulative effect. Thelonger a person is exposedto radiation, the greater therisk. A high exposure toradiation can cause seriousillness or death. Studiesshow that any negative

health effects that might becaused by low-level expo-sure to radiation cannot bedistinguished from thosecaused by other environ-mental hazards.

If you are within 10 milesof a nuclear power plantand a release of radiationoccurs in your area, localauthorities would activate aloud, steady warning sirenthat holds a pitch for threeminutes or more. Instructionson how you should protectyourself would be broadcaston local radio stations.

In general, there arethree ways to minimize radi-ation exposure to your body:distance, shielding and time.■ Distance. The greater

the distance betweenyou and the source ofthe radiation, the betteryour chance of reducingexposure. In a seriousnuclear power plantaccident or terroristattack, local authoritieswill call for an evacuationto increase the distancebetween you and theradiation.

■ Shielding. Like distance,the more heavy, densematerials between you

19

immediately to your localpolice department, sheriff’soffice or weather service.

If a TORNADO WARN-ING is issued for your area,take shelter immediately. Awarning means a tornadohas been sighted, or hasbeen indicated by radar, andmay strike in your vicinity.

What To Do During ATornado

Take action to protectyourself from being struckby falling objects, injured byflying debris or blown away.The best protection is anunderground shelter, caveor steel-framed or reinforcedconcrete building. If none ofthese is available, there areother places where you cantake refuge.■ IF YOU ARE AT HOME,

go to an undergroundstorm cellar or basementif you have one. If not, goto a corner of your homeand take cover under asturdy workbench ortable (but not underneathheavy appliances on thefloor above). If yourhome has no basement,take cover in the centerpart of the house, on the

lowest floor, in a smallroom such as a closet orbathroom, or underheavy furniture. Stayaway from windows toavoid flying debris. Donot remain in a trailer ormobile home if a tornadois approaching; takecover in a nearby shelteror lie flat in the nearestdepression or ditch.

■ IF YOU ARE AT WORKin an office building, goto an interior hallway onthe lowest floor, or to adesignated shelter area.

■ IF YOU ARE ATSCHOOL, follow theinstructions of schoolauthorities. These usuallyinvolve taking shelter ininterior hallways on thelowest floor, and stayingout of structures withwide, free-span roofs,such as auditoriums andgymnasiums.

■ IF YOU ARE OUTSIDEIN OPEN COUNTRY,take cover and lie flat inthe nearest depression,such as a ditch, culvert,excavation or ravine, andcover your head withyour arms.

36

NuclearPower PlantAccident

Nuclear power plants inIllinois provide approximatelyone-fifth of the state’s elec-trical power. About 150,000Illinoisans live within 10 milesof a nuclear power plant.

The operation of thesefacilities is closely monitoredby the state and regulatedby the federal NuclearRegulatory Commission.Accidents or a terroristattack at these plants areunlikely but possible. Anaccident or terrorist attackcould result in a release ofradiation that might affectthe health and safety of thepublic living near thenuclear power plant.

Illinois state, county andlocal governments havedeveloped an emergencyresponse plan — called theIllinois Plan for RadiologicalAccidents — for use in theevent of a nuclear powerplant accident or terroristattack. The plan defines two“emergency planning zones.”

One covers an areawithin a 10-mile

radius of theplant,

wherepeoplecould be

20

Floods Floods are the mostcommon and widespread ofall natural hazards. Somefloods develop over a periodof days, but flash floods canproduce raging waters injust a few minutes. Waterruns off steeper groundvery rapidly, causing naturaldrainage systems to over-flow with rushing floodwaters and a deadly cargoof rocks, mud, smashedtrees and other debris.

Remember, even verysmall streams, gullies,creeks, culverts, drystreambeds or low-lyingground that may appearharmless in dry weathercan flood.

Wherever you live, beaware of potential floodinghazards. If you live in a low-

lying area, near water ordownstream from adam, you should beprepared for a flood.

Know the NationalWeather Service

terms forpotentialfloodingconditionsthat will bebroadcaston radio

35

flame. Also, rememberto keep newspapers andother flammable itemsaway from gas appliancesthat have pilot lights,such as water heatersand furnaces.

■ When installing homeinsulation, care shouldbe taken to keep it clearof electrical wiring.

■ Know where your maingas meter and centralelectrical panels are sothey can be shut off inan emergency. Keep awrench next to the gasmeter at all times. If yourgas line must be shut off,it should only be returnedto service by a gas com-pany representative.

Remember the Ways toPut Out a Fire■ Take away its fuel.■ Take away its air

(smother it).■ Cool it with water or fire

extinguishing chemicals.Special types of firesrequire special methods.Whichever method isused, act quickly.

■ Never use water on anelectrical fire. Use onlyspecially designed fire

extinguishing chemicals.If you can turn off theelectricity, you can thenuse water or anythingelse available to put outthe fire.

■ Oil and grease fires(most of which occur inthe kitchen) can besmothered with bakingsoda or salt or by puttinga lid over the flame if itis burning in a small panon the stove.

■ Small fires can be con-trolled with water or fireextinguishers, but do nottry to fight a fire that isgetting out of control.Get everyone out of thehouse and call the firedepartment.Most fire departments

have free brochures andpamphlets on a variety offire safety topics. Contactyour local fire department orpublic safety office for addi-tional information.

21

and television and throughlocal government emergencypersonnel:■ Flood forecast means

rainfall is heavy enoughto cause rivers to over-flow their banks or melt-ing snow is mixing withrainfall to produce similareffects.

■ Flood warning or forecastof impending floodsdescribes the affectedriver or lake, the severityof flooding (minor, mod-erate or major) and whenand where the floodingwill begin.

■ Flash flood watchmeans current orexpected heavy rainsmay cause sudden flashflooding in specifiedareas. Be alert to thepossible emergency,which may requireimmediate action.

■ Flash flood warning isannounced when flashflooding is occurring orimminent along certainstreams and designatedareas. Careful prepara-tions and promptresponse will ensurepersonal safety andreduce property loss.

Before the FloodFlood losses are not

covered under normalhomeowner insurance poli-cies, but flood insurance isavailable in participatingcommunities through thefederally sponsored NationalFlood Insurance Program.Contact a local licensedinsurance broker or agentfor more information.Usually there is a five-daywaiting period for coverageto take effect, so do not waituntil the last minute.

Find out how many feetyour property is above orbelow possible flood levels.When predicted flood levelsare broadcast, you candetermine if you may beflooded.

Keep materials likesandbags, plywood, plasticsheeting and lumber onhand for emergency water-proofing. If flooding of sig-nificant depth is imminent,DO NOT stack sandbagsaround the outside walls ofyour house to keep waterout of your basement. Waterseeping downward throughthe soil (either beyond thesandbags or over them)may collect around the

34

Common sense fire pre-vention rules are of specialimportance in an emergency.To keep fires from starting —■ Clean out attics, closets

and garages frequently.Do not let trash and junkaccumulate.

■ Do not overload exten-sion cords. Check cordsfor fraying and avoidrunning them under rugs.An extension cord usedto connect an applianceshould always be theproper size and capacityfor the appliance.

■ Store flammable liquidsin approved containers,outside the home if pos-sible. Never use gaso-line, benzene, naphthaand similar liquidsindoors because theirfumes can readily ignitefrom any kind of spark.Rags soaked with clean-ing fluids or turpentinesometimes catch fire bythemselves and theyshould be safely discard-ed after use. Neversmoke when handlingflammable liquids.

■ Check your home’sheating sources. Manyhome fires are started

by faulty furnaces andstoves, cracked or rustedfurnace parts, and chim-neys with creosotebuildup. Be sure whateverheating source you useis clean and in goodworking order.

■ Energy shortages andhigh heating costs havemade alternative heatingsources, such as wood,coal and kerosene burn-ing stoves, popular.When using any type ofroom or area heatingdevice, make sure thereis adequate ventilationto the outside. Makesure there is adequatespace around the heaterand that the floor andnearby walls are properlyinsulated. Use only thefuel designated for yourunit; DO NOT SUBSTI-TUTE. Properly storeashes in a metal con-tainer outside and awayfrom the building.

■ When stoves or heatershave an open flame,keep the unit away fromwalls, furniture, draperiesand other flammableitems, and place ascreen in front of the

22

basement walls and underthe floor, creating pressurethat could damage the wallsor raise the entire basement.In most cases, it is better topermit the flood waters toflow freely into the basement(or flood the basement your-self with clean water, if youfeel sure it will be floodedanyway. This will equalize thewater pressure on the out-side of the basement wallsand floors, and thus avoidstructural damage to thefoundation and the house.)

If flooding is likely andtime permits, move essentialitems and furniture to theupper floors of your house.Disconnect any electricalappliances that cannot bemoved, but do not touchthem if you are wet orstanding in water.

EvacuationIf you are advised to

evacuate your home andmove to another locationtemporarily, there are certainthings to remember to do.The following are the mostimportant.

FOLLOW THE INSTRUC-TIONS AND ADVICE OFYOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

If you are advised to evacu-ate, do so promptly. If youare instructed to move to acertain location, go there —do not go anywhere else. Iftravel routes are specifiedor recommended, use thoseroutes rather than trying tofind short cuts on your own.It would be helpful if youpreviously became familiarwith the routes likely to beused. If you are told to shutoff water, gas or electricalservice before leavinghome, do so. In case youneed to use them, find outfrom radio or televisionbroadcasts where emer-gency housing and feedingstations are located.

SECURE YOUR HOMEBEFORE LEAVING. If youhave time, and if you havenot received other instruc-tions from local authorities,take the following actionsbefore leaving home:■ Bring outside posses-

sions inside the house,or tie them downsecurely. This includesoutdoor furniture,garbage cans, gardentools, signs and othermovable objects thatmight be washed away.

Fire Fire safety rules are ofspecial importance in anemergency, but also shouldbe observed every day toprevent a disaster.

Most fire deaths occur inthe home. A smoke alarm isa low-cost device that hasproven successful in savinglives. Deaths from fire in thehome are substantiallyreduced when smokealarms are present.

A smoke alarm shouldbe placed as close as pos-sible to the bedrooms. It isalso a good idea to install asmoke alarm on each levelof the house near stairways.Smoke alarms should betested and maintained regu-larly. Each member of yourfamily should know what to

do if the smoke alarmsounds. A little time

spent selectingescape routesand practicingwhat to do maysave lives if a

fire occurs in yourhome. Agree on a

place to meet outsideso you can be sure

everyone getsout of thehouse safely.

33

23

■ Disconnect any electricalappliances or equipmentthat cannot be moved,but do not touch them ifyou are wet or standingin water.

■ Lock all doors andwindows.TRAVEL WITH CARE. If

you are walking or drivingyour car to another location,keep these points in mind:■ Leave early enough to

avoid being maroonedby flooded roads.

■ Make sure you haveenough gasoline in yourcar.

■ Follow recommendedroutes.

■ As you travel, listen tothe radio for additionalinformation and instruc-tion from local authorities.

■ Watch for washed-out orundermined roadways,earth slides, brokensewer or water mains,loose or downed powerlines, and falling or fallenobjects.

■ Watch for areas whererivers or streams maysuddenly flood.

■ Do not try to cross astream or pool of waterunless you are certain

the water will not beover your knees, orabove the middle of yourcar wheels. Sometimesthe water hides a bridgeor part of the road thathas been washed out. Ifyou decide it is safe todrive across, put yourcar in low gear and drivevery slowly to avoidsplashing water into theengine and causing it tostall. Also, rememberyour brakes may notwork well after thewheels of your car havebeen in deep water.Pump the brakes a fewtimes when you reachdry ground.

Special AdviceOn Flash Floods

In many areas, unusuallyheavy rains may cause quickor flash floods. Small creeks,gullies, dry streambeds,ravines,culvertsor low-lyinggroundcan floodquickly and endanger people, sometimes beforeany warning can be issued.

32

highways. Keep the carradio tuned to weatherinformation and advice.

■ Drive with caution. Donot try to save time bytraveling faster than roadand weather conditionspermit.

■ Do not be daring or fool-hardy. Rather than riskbeing stalled, lost orisolated, stop, turn backor seek help if conditionsthreaten to test yourability or endurance. If youare caught in a blizzard,seek refuge immediately.

Keep Calm if You Get InTrouble

If your car breaks downduring a storm, or if youbecome stalled or lost, donot panic. Think the prob-lem through, decide thesafest and best thing to do,and use caution. If you areon a heavily traveled road,indicate you are in trouble.Turn on your emergencyflashers or directional lights,or hang a cloth from theradio antenna or car window.Stay in your car and wait forhelp to arrive. If you run theengine to keep warm, opena window to provide ventila-

tion and protect you fromcarbon monoxide poisoning.Make sure the exhaust pipeis not clogged with snow.Do not leave your car tosearch for assistance; youmay become confused andget lost.

Avoid OverexertionEvery winter, many

unnecessary deaths occurbecause people — old andyoung — engage in morestrenuous physical activitythan their bodies can stand.Cold weather alone puts anextra strain on your heart. Ifyou add physical exercise towhich you are not accus-tomed — such as shovel-ing, pushing an automobileor even walking — you areat greater risk of a heartattack or stroke. In winterweather, avoid overexertion.

24

The National WeatherService issues two types offlash flood advisories: a flashflood watch and a flash floodwarning. A watch meansthat heavy rains occurringor expected may sooncause flash floods in certainareas, and citizens shouldbe alert to the possibility ofa flood emergency thatwould require immediateaction. A warning meansthat flash flooding is occur-ring or imminent on certainstreams or designatedareas, and immediateaction should be taken bythose affected.

During heavy rains, beaware of the hazards of flashfloods and be prepared toprotect yourself. If you seeany possibility of a flashflood occurring where youare, immediately move to asafer location and then notifylocal authorities of thedanger, so other peoplecan be warned.

During periods of heavyrainfall —■ STAY AWAY FROM

NATURALSTREAMBEDS, gulliesand other drainagechannels during and

after rainstorms. Waterruns off the higher eleva-tions very rapidly, caus-ing the natural drainagesystem to overflow withfloodwaters and theirdeadly cargo of rocks,mud, smashed trees andother debris.

■ USE YOUR MAPS.Know where you areand whether you are onlow ground. You do nothave to be at the bottomof a hill to be a target offlash flooding.

■ KNOW WHERE THEHIGH GROUND IS andhow to get there in ahurry. Many roads andtrails parallel existingdrainage patterns andmay be swept away byflood waters.

■ STAY OUT OFFLOODED AREAS. Thewater may still be risingand the current could beswift. Never try to crossa flowing stream on footif the water is aboveyour knees.

■ ABANDON STALLEDVEHICLES IN FLOOD-ED AREAS if you cando so safely. Floodwaters may rise and

31

is controlled by a thermo-stat and your electricityis cut off by a storm, thefurnace will not operateand you will need emer-gency heat.

■ Stock an emergencysupply of food and wateras well as emergencycooking equipment suchas a portable stove.Some of this food shouldnot require refrigerationor cooking.

■ Keep on hand the simpletools and equipmentneeded to fight a firesuch as a fire extinguish-er. Be certain that allfamily members knowhow to take precautionsto prevent fire at such atime when the firedepartment may not beavailable or able toreach you.

Dress for the SeasonIf you spend time out-

doors, wear several layersof loose-fitting, lightweight,warm clothing rather than asingle layer of thick clothing.Mittens are warmer thangloves. Use a hood to protectyour head and face and ascarf to cover your mouth to

protect your lungs from theextremely cold air.

Travel Only If NecessaryIf you must travel, use

public transportation if pos-sible. If you are forced touse your automobile for atrip of any distance, takethese precautions:■ Make sure your car is in

good condition, properlyserviced, equipped withchains or snow tires, andfilled with gas.

■ If possible, take anotherperson with you.

■ Make sure someoneknows where you aregoing, your approximateschedule and your esti-mated time of arrival.

■ Have emergency “winterstorm” supplies in thecar, such as a containerof sand, shovel, wind-shield scraper, tow chainor rope, flares and aflashlight with extra bat-teries. It is also good tohave heavy gloves ormittens, overshoes,extra woolen socks andwinter headgear to coveryour head and face.

■ If you can, travel bydaylight and use major

25

sweep the vehicle andits occupants away.Many deaths haveresulted from attemptsto move stalled vehicles.

■ IF YOU ARE CAUGHTIN FLOOD WATERS, tryto keep a flashlight orother light source withyou to attract help. Tostay afloat, hang on todriftwood or otherdebris. As a last resort,button up a shirt and tieknots in the sleeves ortie knots in the legs ofpants to trap air to actas a life vest.

After the Flood■ Do not use fresh food

that has come in contactwith flood waters.

■ Have drinking watertested for contaminants.Wells should be pumpedout and the water testedbefore drinking. (Seepages 26 through 28 forinformation on how todisinfect a well).

■ Do not visit the disasterarea. Your presence willinterfere with rescue andemergency efforts.

■ Do not handle live elec-trical equipment in wet

areas. Electrical equip-ment should be checkedand dried before beingreturned to service.

■ Use battery-poweredlanterns or flashlights,not oil or gas lanterns ortorches, to examinebuildings. Flammablesmay be inside, whichcould ignite.

■ Report broken utilitylines to police, fire orutility companies.

■ Keep tuned to local radioor television stations foradvice and instructionson where to obtain med-ical care, and where toget housing, clothingand food assistance.

■ Notify your insurancecompany if your propertywas damaged.

■ Flooded indoor areasmust be scrubbed withwarm soapy water. Also,scrub food-contact sur-faces (counter tops,pantry shelves, refriger-ators, stoves, cuttingboards, etc.) and areaswhere small childrenplay. Then, rinse with asolution of 1/2 cup oflaundry bleach to eachgallon of water.

30

■ A WINTER STORMWARNING is issuedwhen heavy snow(expected snowfall of 4inches or more in a 24-hour period), sleet orfreezing rain are fore-cast to occur separatelyor in combination. AWINTER STORMWATCH indicates thereis a threat of severe win-ter weather.

■ FREEZING RAIN ORFREEZING DRIZZLE isforecast when expectedrain is likely to freeze assoon as it strikes theground, putting a coatingof ice on roads andwalkways. If a substantiallayer of ice is expectedto accumulate from thefreezing rain, a winterstorm warning is issued.

■ SLEET is small particlesof ice, usually mixedwith rain. If enough sleetaccumulates on theground, it will make theroads slippery.

■ TRAVELERS’ ADVI-SORIES are issuedwhen ice and snow areexpected to hinder travelbut not seriously enoughto require warnings.

Be Prepared for IsolationAt Home

If you live in a rural area,make sure you can surviveat home for a week or twoin case a winter storm iso-lates you and it is impossi-ble to leave. You should —■ Keep an adequate supply

of heating fuel on handand use it sparingly. Yourregular supplies may becurtailed by storm condi-tions. If necessary, con-serve fuel by keepingthe house cooler thanusual, or by temporarilyclosing off some rooms.Have some kind ofEMERGENCY heatingequipment and fuelavailable so you couldkeep at least one roomof your house warmenough to be livable.Keep in mind when fuelheating devices areused, there must beadequate ventilation toavoid a buildup of poten-tially toxic fumes. Be sureto use only the properfuel recommended bythe manufacturer. If youhave a fireplace, keep agood supply of dry woodon hand. If your furnace

26

■ Wash all linens andclothing in hot water, ordry clean them.

■ It is best to discard itemsthat cannot be washedor dry-cleaned, such asmattresses, upholsteredfurniture, etc. If you mustkeep such items, air drythem in the sun, then,thoroughly vacuum themand spray with a disin-fectant.

■ Steam clean or discardcarpeting.

Drilled Wells1. Using the above

table, determine the amountof water in the well by multi-plying the gallons per footby the depth of the well in

feet. Example: A well with a6-inch diameter contains1.5 gallons of water perfoot. To determine the num-ber of gallons in a well thatis 120 feet deep, multiply1.5 by 120 (1.5 x 120 = 180).

2. For each 100 gallonsof water in the well, use theamount of chlorine (liquid orgranules) indicated.Example: 180 gallons ofwater X 2 ounces of chlorinegranules (per 100 gallons ofwater) = 3.6 ounces ofgranules (use 4 ounces).

Mix this total amount ofliquid or granules in about10 gallons of water. Be suredry granules or tablets arecompletely dissolved beforeadding to the well.

How to Disinfect a Drilled WellDiameter of well Gallons

(in inches) per foot3 .374 .655 1.06 1.58 2.610 4.112 6.0

Amount of disinfectant required for each 100 gallons of water

Laundry bleach (5.25% chlorine) 3 cups*Hypochlorite granules (70% chlorine) 2 ounces**

*1 cup = 8-ounce measuring cup* *1 ounce = 2 heaping tablespoons of granules

WinterStorms

Heavy snow and extremecold can immobilize anentire region. Even areasthat normally experiencemild winters can be hit witha major snow storm orextreme cold. The resultscan range from the havoc ofcars trying to maneuver onice-covered highways toisolation due to power out-ages and blocked roads.Whatever the case, winterstorms can cause seasonaldeaths and injuries. To pro-tect yourself and your familyfrom the many hazards ofwinter weather —blizzards,heavy snows, low tempera-tures, freezing rain or sleet— follow these safety tips.

Keep Posted On WeatherConditions

Use radio and televisionto keep informed of currentweather conditions andforecasts. Even a few hourswarning may enable you to

avoid being caught in astorm, or at least bebetter prepared tocope with it. You also

should understand theterms commonly usedin weather reports:

29

27

3. Pour the solution intothe top of the well beforethe seal is installed.

4. Connect a hose froma faucet on the dischargeside of the pressure tank tothe well casing top. Startthe pump. Spray the waterback into the well and washthe sides of the casing forat least 15 minutes.

5. Open every faucet inthe system and let thewater run until the smell ofchlorine can be detected.Then close all the faucetsand seal the top of the well.

6. Let stand for severalhours, preferably overnight.

7. After you have let thewater stand, operate thepump, discharging waterfrom all outlets (turning on allfaucets) until all odor of chlo-rine disappears. Adjust theflow of water from faucets or

fixtures that discharge intoseptic tank systems to a lowflow to avoid overloading thedisposal system.

Dug Wells1. The amount of water

in the well determines howmuch disinfectant (bleach orgranules) is required. Usethe table below to make cal-culations.

2. To determine theexact amount of chlorineliquid or granules to use,multiply the amount of disin-fectant indicated (accordingto the diameter of the well)by the depth of the well.Example: A well 5 feet indiameter requires 4 1/2cups of bleach per foot ofwater. If the well is 30 feetdeep, multiply 4 1/2 by 30 todetermine the total numberof cups of bleach required

How to Disinfect a Dug WellDiameter of well Amount of 5.25% Amount of 70%

(in feet) laundry bleach chlorine granulesper foot of water per foot of water

3 1 1/2 cups 1 ounce4 3 cups 2 ounces5 4 1/2 cups 3 ounces6 6 cups 4 ounces7 9 cups 6 ounces8 12 cups 8 ounces

10 18 cups 12 ounces

28

(4 1/2 X 30 = 135). 135cups = 8.44 gallons (16cups = 1 gallon; use 8 1/2gallons).

Example: A well 6 feet indiameter requires 4 ouncesof chlorine granules or pow-der per foot of water. If thewell is 40 feet deep, multiply4 (ounces) by 40 (feet). Thiswell, then, requires 160ounces of granules or pow-der, or 10 pounds.

3. Add this total amountof liquid or dry bleach toabout 10 gallons of water.Splash the mixture aroundthe lining or wall of the well.Be certain the bleach solu-tion contacts all parts of thewell.

4. Seal the well top.5. Open all faucets and

pump water until a strongodor of chlorine is noticeableat each faucet. Then stopthe pump and allow thesolution to remain in thewell overnight.

6. After it stands over-night, operate the pump,discharging water from alloutlets (turning on allfaucets) until the chlorineodor disappears. Adjust theflow of water faucets or fix-tures that discharge to sep-

tic tank systems to low flowto avoid overloading the dis-posal system.

Driven WellsAll that is necessary to

restore a driven or sand-point well is to pump it outthoroughly.

If the well has a pit,pump out any water thathas accumulated in the pit.

27

3. Pour the solution intothe top of the well beforethe seal is installed.

4. Connect a hose froma faucet on the dischargeside of the pressure tank tothe well casing top. Startthe pump. Spray the waterback into the well and washthe sides of the casing forat least 15 minutes.

5. Open every faucet inthe system and let thewater run until the smell ofchlorine can be detected.Then close all the faucetsand seal the top of the well.

6. Let stand for severalhours, preferably overnight.

7. After you have let thewater stand, operate thepump, discharging waterfrom all outlets (turning on allfaucets) until all odor of chlo-rine disappears. Adjust theflow of water from faucets or

fixtures that discharge intoseptic tank systems to a lowflow to avoid overloading thedisposal system.

Dug Wells1. The amount of water

in the well determines howmuch disinfectant (bleach orgranules) is required. Usethe table below to make cal-culations.

2. To determine theexact amount of chlorineliquid or granules to use,multiply the amount of disin-fectant indicated (accordingto the diameter of the well)by the depth of the well.Example: A well 5 feet indiameter requires 4 1/2cups of bleach per foot ofwater. If the well is 30 feetdeep, multiply 4 1/2 by 30 todetermine the total numberof cups of bleach required

How to Disinfect a Dug WellDiameter of well Amount of 5.25% Amount of 70%

(in feet) laundry bleach chlorine granulesper foot of water per foot of water

3 1 1/2 cups 1 ounce4 3 cups 2 ounces5 4 1/2 cups 3 ounces6 6 cups 4 ounces7 9 cups 6 ounces8 12 cups 8 ounces

10 18 cups 12 ounces

28

(4 1/2 X 30 = 135). 135cups = 8.44 gallons (16cups = 1 gallon; use 8 1/2gallons).

Example: A well 6 feet indiameter requires 4 ouncesof chlorine granules or pow-der per foot of water. If thewell is 40 feet deep, multiply4 (ounces) by 40 (feet). Thiswell, then, requires 160ounces of granules or pow-der, or 10 pounds.

3. Add this total amountof liquid or dry bleach toabout 10 gallons of water.Splash the mixture aroundthe lining or wall of the well.Be certain the bleach solu-tion contacts all parts of thewell.

4. Seal the well top.5. Open all faucets and

pump water until a strongodor of chlorine is noticeableat each faucet. Then stopthe pump and allow thesolution to remain in thewell overnight.

6. After it stands over-night, operate the pump,discharging water from alloutlets (turning on allfaucets) until the chlorineodor disappears. Adjust theflow of water faucets or fix-tures that discharge to sep-

tic tank systems to low flowto avoid overloading the dis-posal system.

Driven WellsAll that is necessary to

restore a driven or sand-point well is to pump it outthoroughly.

If the well has a pit,pump out any water thathas accumulated in the pit.

26

■ Wash all linens andclothing in hot water, ordry clean them.

■ It is best to discard itemsthat cannot be washedor dry-cleaned, such asmattresses, upholsteredfurniture, etc. If you mustkeep such items, air drythem in the sun, then,thoroughly vacuum themand spray with a disin-fectant.

■ Steam clean or discardcarpeting.

Drilled Wells1. Using the above

table, determine the amountof water in the well by multi-plying the gallons per footby the depth of the well in

feet. Example: A well with a6-inch diameter contains1.5 gallons of water perfoot. To determine the num-ber of gallons in a well thatis 120 feet deep, multiply1.5 by 120 (1.5 x 120 = 180).

2. For each 100 gallonsof water in the well, use theamount of chlorine (liquid orgranules) indicated.Example: 180 gallons ofwater X 2 ounces of chlorinegranules (per 100 gallons ofwater) = 3.6 ounces ofgranules (use 4 ounces).

Mix this total amount ofliquid or granules in about10 gallons of water. Be suredry granules or tablets arecompletely dissolved beforeadding to the well.

How to Disinfect a Drilled WellDiameter of well Gallons

(in inches) per foot3 .374 .655 1.06 1.58 2.6

10 4.112 6.0

Amount of disinfectant required for each 100 gallons of water

Laundry bleach (5.25% chlorine) 3 cups*Hypochlorite granules (70% chlorine) 2 ounces**

*1 cup = 8-ounce measuring cup* *1 ounce = 2 heaping tablespoons of granules

WinterStorms

Heavy snow and extremecold can immobilize anentire region. Even areasthat normally experiencemild winters can be hit witha major snow storm orextreme cold. The resultscan range from the havoc ofcars trying to maneuver onice-covered highways toisolation due to power out-ages and blocked roads.Whatever the case, winterstorms can cause seasonaldeaths and injuries. To pro-tect yourself and your familyfrom the many hazards ofwinter weather —blizzards,heavy snows, low tempera-tures, freezing rain or sleet— follow these safety tips.

Keep Posted On WeatherConditions

Use radio and televisionto keep informed of currentweather conditions andforecasts. Even a few hourswarning may enable you to

avoid being caught in astorm, or at least bebetter prepared tocope with it. You also

should understand theterms commonly usedin weather reports:

29

25

sweep the vehicle andits occupants away.Many deaths haveresulted from attemptsto move stalled vehicles.

■ IF YOU ARE CAUGHTIN FLOOD WATERS, tryto keep a flashlight orother light source withyou to attract help. Tostay afloat, hang on todriftwood or otherdebris. As a last resort,button up a shirt and tieknots in the sleeves ortie knots in the legs ofpants to trap air to actas a life vest.

After the Flood■ Do not use fresh food

that has come in contactwith flood waters.

■ Have drinking watertested for contaminants.Wells should be pumpedout and the water testedbefore drinking. (Seepages 26 through 28 forinformation on how todisinfect a well).

■ Do not visit the disasterarea. Your presence willinterfere with rescue andemergency efforts.

■ Do not handle live elec-trical equipment in wet

areas. Electrical equip-ment should be checkedand dried before beingreturned to service.

■ Use battery-poweredlanterns or flashlights,not oil or gas lanterns ortorches, to examinebuildings. Flammablesmay be inside, whichcould ignite.

■ Report broken utilitylines to police, fire orutility companies.

■ Keep tuned to local radioor television stations foradvice and instructionson where to obtain med-ical care, and where toget housing, clothingand food assistance.

■ Notify your insurancecompany if your propertywas damaged.

■ Flooded indoor areasmust be scrubbed withwarm soapy water. Also,scrub food-contact sur-faces (counter tops,pantry shelves, refriger-ators, stoves, cuttingboards, etc.) and areaswhere small childrenplay. Then, rinse with asolution of 1/2 cup oflaundry bleach to eachgallon of water.

30

■ A WINTER STORMWARNING is issuedwhen heavy snow(expected snowfall of 4inches or more in a 24-hour period), sleet orfreezing rain are fore-cast to occur separatelyor in combination. AWINTER STORMWATCH indicates thereis a threat of severe win-ter weather.

■ FREEZING RAIN ORFREEZING DRIZZLE isforecast when expectedrain is likely to freeze assoon as it strikes theground, putting a coatingof ice on roads andwalkways. If a substantiallayer of ice is expectedto accumulate from thefreezing rain, a winterstorm warning is issued.

■ SLEET is small particlesof ice, usually mixedwith rain. If enough sleetaccumulates on theground, it will make theroads slippery.

■ TRAVELERS’ ADVI-SORIES are issuedwhen ice and snow areexpected to hinder travelbut not seriously enoughto require warnings.

Be Prepared for IsolationAt Home

If you live in a rural area,make sure you can surviveat home for a week or twoin case a winter storm iso-lates you and it is impossi-ble to leave. You should —■ Keep an adequate supply

of heating fuel on handand use it sparingly. Yourregular supplies may becurtailed by storm condi-tions. If necessary, con-serve fuel by keepingthe house cooler thanusual, or by temporarilyclosing off some rooms.Have some kind ofEMERGENCY heatingequipment and fuelavailable so you couldkeep at least one roomof your house warmenough to be livable.Keep in mind when fuelheating devices areused, there must beadequate ventilation toavoid a buildup of poten-tially toxic fumes. Be sureto use only the properfuel recommended bythe manufacturer. If youhave a fireplace, keep agood supply of dry woodon hand. If your furnace

24

The National WeatherService issues two types offlash flood advisories: a flashflood watch and a flash floodwarning. A watch meansthat heavy rains occurringor expected may sooncause flash floods in certainareas, and citizens shouldbe alert to the possibility ofa flood emergency thatwould require immediateaction. A warning meansthat flash flooding is occur-ring or imminent on certainstreams or designatedareas, and immediateaction should be taken bythose affected.

During heavy rains, beaware of the hazards of flashfloods and be prepared toprotect yourself. If you seeany possibility of a flashflood occurring where youare, immediately move to asafer location and then notifylocal authorities of thedanger, so other peoplecan be warned.

During periods of heavyrainfall —■ STAY AWAY FROM

NATURALSTREAMBEDS, gulliesand other drainagechannels during and

after rainstorms. Waterruns off the higher eleva-tions very rapidly, caus-ing the natural drainagesystem to overflow withfloodwaters and theirdeadly cargo of rocks,mud, smashed trees andother debris.

■ USE YOUR MAPS.Know where you areand whether you are onlow ground. You do nothave to be at the bottomof a hill to be a target offlash flooding.

■ KNOW WHERE THEHIGH GROUND IS andhow to get there in ahurry. Many roads andtrails parallel existingdrainage patterns andmay be swept away byflood waters.

■ STAY OUT OFFLOODED AREAS. Thewater may still be risingand the current could beswift. Never try to crossa flowing stream on footif the water is aboveyour knees.

■ ABANDON STALLEDVEHICLES IN FLOOD-ED AREAS if you cando so safely. Floodwaters may rise and

31

is controlled by a thermo-stat and your electricityis cut off by a storm, thefurnace will not operateand you will need emer-gency heat.

■ Stock an emergencysupply of food and wateras well as emergencycooking equipment suchas a portable stove.Some of this food shouldnot require refrigerationor cooking.

■ Keep on hand the simpletools and equipmentneeded to fight a firesuch as a fire extinguish-er. Be certain that allfamily members knowhow to take precautionsto prevent fire at such atime when the firedepartment may not beavailable or able toreach you.

Dress for the SeasonIf you spend time out-

doors, wear several layersof loose-fitting, lightweight,warm clothing rather than asingle layer of thick clothing.Mittens are warmer thangloves. Use a hood to protectyour head and face and ascarf to cover your mouth to

protect your lungs from theextremely cold air.

Travel Only If NecessaryIf you must travel, use

public transportation if pos-sible. If you are forced touse your automobile for atrip of any distance, takethese precautions:■ Make sure your car is in

good condition, properlyserviced, equipped withchains or snow tires, andfilled with gas.

■ If possible, take anotherperson with you.

■ Make sure someoneknows where you aregoing, your approximateschedule and your esti-mated time of arrival.

■ Have emergency “winterstorm” supplies in thecar, such as a containerof sand, shovel, wind-shield scraper, tow chainor rope, flares and aflashlight with extra bat-teries. It is also good tohave heavy gloves ormittens, overshoes,extra woolen socks andwinter headgear to coveryour head and face.

■ If you can, travel bydaylight and use major

23

■ Disconnect any electricalappliances or equipmentthat cannot be moved,but do not touch them ifyou are wet or standingin water.

■ Lock all doors andwindows.TRAVEL WITH CARE. If

you are walking or drivingyour car to another location,keep these points in mind:■ Leave early enough to

avoid being maroonedby flooded roads.

■ Make sure you haveenough gasoline in yourcar.

■ Follow recommendedroutes.

■ As you travel, listen tothe radio for additionalinformation and instruc-tion from local authorities.

■ Watch for washed-out orundermined roadways,earth slides, brokensewer or water mains,loose or downed powerlines, and falling or fallenobjects.

■ Watch for areas whererivers or streams maysuddenly flood.

■ Do not try to cross astream or pool of waterunless you are certain

the water will not beover your knees, orabove the middle of yourcar wheels. Sometimesthe water hides a bridgeor part of the road thathas been washed out. Ifyou decide it is safe todrive across, put yourcar in low gear and drivevery slowly to avoidsplashing water into theengine and causing it tostall. Also, rememberyour brakes may notwork well after thewheels of your car havebeen in deep water.Pump the brakes a fewtimes when you reachdry ground.

Special AdviceOn Flash Floods

In many areas, unusuallyheavy rains may cause quickor flash floods. Small creeks,gullies, dry streambeds,ravines,culvertsor low-lyinggroundcan floodquickly and endanger people, sometimes beforeany warning can be issued.

32

highways. Keep the carradio tuned to weatherinformation and advice.

■ Drive with caution. Donot try to save time bytraveling faster than roadand weather conditionspermit.

■ Do not be daring or fool-hardy. Rather than riskbeing stalled, lost orisolated, stop, turn backor seek help if conditionsthreaten to test yourability or endurance. If youare caught in a blizzard,seek refuge immediately.

Keep Calm if You Get InTrouble

If your car breaks downduring a storm, or if youbecome stalled or lost, donot panic. Think the prob-lem through, decide thesafest and best thing to do,and use caution. If you areon a heavily traveled road,indicate you are in trouble.Turn on your emergencyflashers or directional lights,or hang a cloth from theradio antenna or car window.Stay in your car and wait forhelp to arrive. If you run theengine to keep warm, opena window to provide ventila-

tion and protect you fromcarbon monoxide poisoning.Make sure the exhaust pipeis not clogged with snow.Do not leave your car tosearch for assistance; youmay become confused andget lost.

Avoid OverexertionEvery winter, many

unnecessary deaths occurbecause people — old andyoung — engage in morestrenuous physical activitythan their bodies can stand.Cold weather alone puts anextra strain on your heart. Ifyou add physical exercise towhich you are not accus-tomed — such as shovel-ing, pushing an automobileor even walking — you areat greater risk of a heartattack or stroke. In winterweather, avoid overexertion.

22

basement walls and underthe floor, creating pressurethat could damage the wallsor raise the entire basement.In most cases, it is better topermit the flood waters toflow freely into the basement(or flood the basement your-self with clean water, if youfeel sure it will be floodedanyway. This will equalize thewater pressure on the out-side of the basement wallsand floors, and thus avoidstructural damage to thefoundation and the house.)

If flooding is likely andtime permits, move essentialitems and furniture to theupper floors of your house.Disconnect any electricalappliances that cannot bemoved, but do not touchthem if you are wet orstanding in water.

EvacuationIf you are advised to

evacuate your home andmove to another locationtemporarily, there are certainthings to remember to do.The following are the mostimportant.

FOLLOW THE INSTRUC-TIONS AND ADVICE OFYOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

If you are advised to evacu-ate, do so promptly. If youare instructed to move to acertain location, go there —do not go anywhere else. Iftravel routes are specifiedor recommended, use thoseroutes rather than trying tofind short cuts on your own.It would be helpful if youpreviously became familiarwith the routes likely to beused. If you are told to shutoff water, gas or electricalservice before leavinghome, do so. In case youneed to use them, find outfrom radio or televisionbroadcasts where emer-gency housing and feedingstations are located.

SECURE YOUR HOMEBEFORE LEAVING. If youhave time, and if you havenot received other instruc-tions from local authorities,take the following actionsbefore leaving home:■ Bring outside posses-

sions inside the house,or tie them downsecurely. This includesoutdoor furniture,garbage cans, gardentools, signs and othermovable objects thatmight be washed away.

Fire Fire safety rules are ofspecial importance in anemergency, but also shouldbe observed every day toprevent a disaster.

Most fire deaths occur inthe home. A smoke alarm isa low-cost device that hasproven successful in savinglives. Deaths from fire in thehome are substantiallyreduced when smokealarms are present.

A smoke alarm shouldbe placed as close as pos-sible to the bedrooms. It isalso a good idea to install asmoke alarm on each levelof the house near stairways.Smoke alarms should betested and maintained regu-larly. Each member of yourfamily should know what to

do if the smoke alarmsounds. A little time

spent selectingescape routesand practicingwhat to do maysave lives if a

fire occurs in yourhome. Agree on a

place to meet outsideso you can be sure

everyone getsout of thehouse safely.

33

21

and television and throughlocal government emergencypersonnel:■ Flood forecast means

rainfall is heavy enoughto cause rivers to over-flow their banks or melt-ing snow is mixing withrainfall to produce similareffects.

■ Flood warning or forecastof impending floodsdescribes the affectedriver or lake, the severityof flooding (minor, mod-erate or major) and whenand where the floodingwill begin.

■ Flash flood watchmeans current orexpected heavy rainsmay cause sudden flashflooding in specifiedareas. Be alert to thepossible emergency,which may requireimmediate action.

■ Flash flood warning isannounced when flashflooding is occurring orimminent along certainstreams and designatedareas. Careful prepara-tions and promptresponse will ensurepersonal safety andreduce property loss.

Before the FloodFlood losses are not

covered under normalhomeowner insurance poli-cies, but flood insurance isavailable in participatingcommunities through thefederally sponsored NationalFlood Insurance Program.Contact a local licensedinsurance broker or agentfor more information.Usually there is a five-daywaiting period for coverageto take effect, so do not waituntil the last minute.

Find out how many feetyour property is above orbelow possible flood levels.When predicted flood levelsare broadcast, you candetermine if you may beflooded.

Keep materials likesandbags, plywood, plasticsheeting and lumber onhand for emergency water-proofing. If flooding of sig-nificant depth is imminent,DO NOT stack sandbagsaround the outside walls ofyour house to keep waterout of your basement. Waterseeping downward throughthe soil (either beyond thesandbags or over them)may collect around the

34

Common sense fire pre-vention rules are of specialimportance in an emergency.To keep fires from starting —■ Clean out attics, closets

and garages frequently.Do not let trash and junkaccumulate.

■ Do not overload exten-sion cords. Check cordsfor fraying and avoidrunning them under rugs.An extension cord usedto connect an applianceshould always be theproper size and capacityfor the appliance.

■ Store flammable liquidsin approved containers,outside the home if pos-sible. Never use gaso-line, benzene, naphthaand similar liquidsindoors because theirfumes can readily ignitefrom any kind of spark.Rags soaked with clean-ing fluids or turpentinesometimes catch fire bythemselves and theyshould be safely discard-ed after use. Neversmoke when handlingflammable liquids.

■ Check your home’sheating sources. Manyhome fires are started

by faulty furnaces andstoves, cracked or rustedfurnace parts, and chim-neys with creosotebuildup. Be sure whateverheating source you useis clean and in goodworking order.

■ Energy shortages andhigh heating costs havemade alternative heatingsources, such as wood,coal and kerosene burn-ing stoves, popular.When using any type ofroom or area heatingdevice, make sure thereis adequate ventilationto the outside. Makesure there is adequatespace around the heaterand that the floor andnearby walls are properlyinsulated. Use only thefuel designated for yourunit; DO NOT SUBSTI-TUTE. Properly storeashes in a metal con-tainer outside and awayfrom the building.

■ When stoves or heatershave an open flame,keep the unit away fromwalls, furniture, draperiesand other flammableitems, and place ascreen in front of the

20

Floods Floods are the mostcommon and widespread ofall natural hazards. Somefloods develop over a periodof days, but flash floods canproduce raging waters injust a few minutes. Waterruns off steeper groundvery rapidly, causing naturaldrainage systems to over-flow with rushing floodwaters and a deadly cargoof rocks, mud, smashedtrees and other debris.

Remember, even verysmall streams, gullies,creeks, culverts, drystreambeds or low-lyingground that may appearharmless in dry weathercan flood.

Wherever you live, beaware of potential floodinghazards. If you live in a low-

lying area, near water ordownstream from adam, you should beprepared for a flood.

Know the NationalWeather Service

terms forpotentialfloodingconditionsthat will bebroadcaston radio

35

flame. Also, rememberto keep newspapers andother flammable itemsaway from gas appliancesthat have pilot lights,such as water heatersand furnaces.

■ When installing homeinsulation, care shouldbe taken to keep it clearof electrical wiring.

■ Know where your maingas meter and centralelectrical panels are sothey can be shut off inan emergency. Keep awrench next to the gasmeter at all times. If yourgas line must be shut off,it should only be returnedto service by a gas com-pany representative.

Remember the Ways toPut Out a Fire■ Take away its fuel.■ Take away its air

(smother it).■ Cool it with water or fire

extinguishing chemicals.Special types of firesrequire special methods.Whichever method isused, act quickly.

■ Never use water on anelectrical fire. Use onlyspecially designed fire

extinguishing chemicals.If you can turn off theelectricity, you can thenuse water or anythingelse available to put outthe fire.

■ Oil and grease fires(most of which occur inthe kitchen) can besmothered with bakingsoda or salt or by puttinga lid over the flame if itis burning in a small panon the stove.

■ Small fires can be con-trolled with water or fireextinguishers, but do nottry to fight a fire that isgetting out of control.Get everyone out of thehouse and call the firedepartment.Most fire departments

have free brochures andpamphlets on a variety offire safety topics. Contactyour local fire department orpublic safety office for addi-tional information.

19

immediately to your localpolice department, sheriff’soffice or weather service.

If a TORNADO WARN-ING is issued for your area,take shelter immediately. Awarning means a tornadohas been sighted, or hasbeen indicated by radar, andmay strike in your vicinity.

What To Do During ATornado

Take action to protectyourself from being struckby falling objects, injured byflying debris or blown away.The best protection is anunderground shelter, caveor steel-framed or reinforcedconcrete building. If none ofthese is available, there areother places where you cantake refuge.■ IF YOU ARE AT HOME,

go to an undergroundstorm cellar or basementif you have one. If not, goto a corner of your homeand take cover under asturdy workbench ortable (but not underneathheavy appliances on thefloor above). If yourhome has no basement,take cover in the centerpart of the house, on the

lowest floor, in a smallroom such as a closet orbathroom, or underheavy furniture. Stayaway from windows toavoid flying debris. Donot remain in a trailer ormobile home if a tornadois approaching; takecover in a nearby shelteror lie flat in the nearestdepression or ditch.

■ IF YOU ARE AT WORKin an office building, goto an interior hallway onthe lowest floor, or to adesignated shelter area.

■ IF YOU ARE ATSCHOOL, follow theinstructions of schoolauthorities. These usuallyinvolve taking shelter ininterior hallways on thelowest floor, and stayingout of structures withwide, free-span roofs,such as auditoriums andgymnasiums.

■ IF YOU ARE OUTSIDEIN OPEN COUNTRY,take cover and lie flat inthe nearest depression,such as a ditch, culvert,excavation or ravine, andcover your head withyour arms.

36

NuclearPower PlantAccident

Nuclear power plants inIllinois provide approximatelyone-fifth of the state’s elec-trical power. About 150,000Illinoisans live within 10 milesof a nuclear power plant.

The operation of thesefacilities is closely monitoredby the state and regulatedby the federal NuclearRegulatory Commission.Accidents or a terroristattack at these plants areunlikely but possible. Anaccident or terrorist attackcould result in a release ofradiation that might affectthe health and safety of thepublic living near thenuclear power plant.

Illinois state, county andlocal governments havedeveloped an emergencyresponse plan — called theIllinois Plan for RadiologicalAccidents — for use in theevent of a nuclear powerplant accident or terroristattack. The plan defines two“emergency planning zones.”

One covers an areawithin a 10-mile

radius of theplant,

wherepeoplecould be

Tornadoes A tornado is a violentstorm with whirling winds ofup to 300 miles per hour. Itappears as a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud, from gray toblack in color, that extendstoward the ground from thebase of a thundercloud. Atornado spins like a top andmay sound like the roaringof an airplane or locomotive.These short-lived stormsare the most violent of allstorms and the mostdestructive. They occur mostfrequently during April, Mayand June.

A TORNADO WATCH(forecast) means that torna-does may occur in or nearyour area. Listen to local

radio or television sta-tions for informationand advice. Do not

use the telephone.Watch the sky to thesouth and southwest for

revolving, funnel-shapedclouds. Report these

1837

harmed by direct radiationexposure. The second zonecovers a broader area, usu-ally up to a 50-mile radiusfrom the plant, where radio-active materials could con-taminate water supplies,food crops and livestock.

Understanding RadiationEach of us is exposed to

radiation — energy that cantravel through the air —from radioactive materialsthat exist in nature. Smalltraces of radiation are evenpresent in food and water.Radiation also is releasedfrom man-made sourcessuch as X-ray machines,television sets andmicrowave ovens.

Nuclear power plantsuse the heat generatedfrom nuclear fission in acontained environment toconvert water to steam,which powers generators toproduce electricity.

In general, radiation hasa cumulative effect. Thelonger a person is exposedto radiation, the greater therisk. A high exposure toradiation can cause seriousillness or death. Studiesshow that any negative

health effects that might becaused by low-level expo-sure to radiation cannot bedistinguished from thosecaused by other environ-mental hazards.

If you are within 10 milesof a nuclear power plantand a release of radiationoccurs in your area, localauthorities would activate aloud, steady warning sirenthat holds a pitch for threeminutes or more. Instructionson how you should protectyourself would be broadcaston local radio stations.

In general, there arethree ways to minimize radi-ation exposure to your body:distance, shielding and time.■ Distance. The greater

the distance betweenyou and the source ofthe radiation, the betteryour chance of reducingexposure. In a seriousnuclear power plantaccident or terroristattack, local authoritieswill call for an evacuationto increase the distancebetween you and theradiation.

■ Shielding. Like distance,the more heavy, densematerials between you

17

4. If you are in a publicplace, get under a table orany sturdy object, or in aninterior doorway. Avoid stop-ping under anything thatcould fall. Do not dash foran exit. If you must leave,choose your exit carefully.

5. If you are outdoors,move to an open area awayfrom buildings, utility wiresand brick or block walls thatcould fall. Once in the open,lie or sit down to avoidbeing thrown around by thequake until the shakingstops.

6. If you are in a vehi-cle, stop as quickly as safe-ty permits and stay in it untilthe shaking stops. Avoidstopping near or underbuildings, overpasses, treesand utility lines. When youdrive on, watch for hazardscreated by the earthquake,such as fallen objects,downed electric wires, orbroken or undermined road-ways.

7. Insure all telephonereceivers in the house oroffice are returned to thecradle.

8. If you are trapped ina collapsed building —

■ Put something overyour mouth and noseto protect yourselffrom dust.

■ Keep still so you donot kick up dust.

■ Tap (on metal or con-crete) to make noise;shouting may not beheard in a largebuilding.

Do not be surprised ifyou feel more than oneshock. After the first motionis felt, there may be a tem-porary decrease in themotion followed by anothershock. This phenomenon isthe arrival of different seismicwaves from the same earth-quake. Aftershocks also mayoccur. These are separateearthquakes that follow themain shock. Aftershocksmay occur several minutes,hours or even days after-wards. Aftershocks cancause additional damage orcollapse structures alreadyweakened by the mainearthquake.

Be prepared to deal withthe emotional needs of fam-ily members. Stay closeenough to touch and comforteach other.

38

and the source of theradiation, the better. Forthis reason local authori-ties may advise you toremain indoors if anaccident occurs at anearby nuclear powerplant. In some cases,the walls of your homewould provide sufficientshielding to protect you.

■ Time. Most radioactivityloses its strength fairlyquickly. In a nuclearpower plant accident orterrorist attack, the IllinoisDepartment of NuclearSafety will monitor anyrelease of radiation andadvise local authoritieswhen the threat haspassed.

How to Prepare1. Know the terms used

to describe a nuclear emer-gency.■ NOTIFICATION OF

UNUSUAL EVENTmeans a small problemhas occurred at theplant. No radiation leakis expected. Federal,state and county officialswill be told right away.No action on your partwill be necessary.

■ ALERT means a smallproblem has occurred,and small amounts ofradiation could leakinside the plant. This willnot affect you. Federal,state and county officialswill be on standby. Youshould not have to takeaction.

■ SITE AREAEMERGENCY is a moreserious problem. Smallamounts of radiationcould leak from theplant. Federal, state andcounty officials will takenecessary action toassure public safety.Area sirens may besounded. Listen to yourradio or television forsafety information.

■ GENERAL EMERGENCYis the most serious prob-lem. Radiation could leakoutside the plant and offthe plant site. The sirenswill sound. Tune to yourlocal radio or televisionstation for reports. Stateand county officials willact to assure publicsafety. Be prepared tofollow their instructionspromptly.

16

Another important step is tobe sure your family knowswhat to do if an earthquakeoccurs. You should learnwhere to seek shelter andhow to protect yourself.

In addition, you should —■ Anchor the water heater,

refrigerator and tall orheavy furniture to wallstuds. Prevent the refrig-erator or other heavyappliances from movingby blocking the rollers.

■ Move heavy items tolower shelves.

■ Install clips, latches andother locking devices oncabinet doors.

■ Add bracing to supportair conditioners, particu-larly on rooftops.

■ Secure gas lines byinstalling flexible con-nectors to appliances.

■ Remove all flammableliquids, such as paintingand cleaning products,to the garage or outsidestorage area. Be surethese items are storedaway from heat sourcesand appliances, particu-larly the hot waterheater or furnace.

■ Locate beds away fromwindows.

During an Earthquake1. Keep calm. Do not

run or panic. Stay whereyou are. Most injuries occuras people are entering orleaving buildings.

2. If you are indoors,take cover under a table,desk or bench, or braceyourself againstinside

wallsor door-

ways. Watch for falling, flyingand sliding objects. Stayaway from outside doors,heating units, stoves, glass,windows, chimneys andheavy objects (such asrefrigerators and machinery)that may topple or slideacross the floor.

3. If you are in a high-rise building, get under adesk until the shaking stops.Seek safety where you are.Do not use the elevator toevacuate. Wait for instruc-tions from building authori-ties. Falling debris around abuilding is a common hazard.

39

2. Learn your communi-ty’s warning system.Nuclear power plants arerequired to install sirensand other warning systemsto cover a 10-mile areaaround the plant.■ Siren tests occur on the

first Tuesday of eachmonth at 10 a.m.

■ Determine whether youcan hear the siren fromyour home, and becomefamiliar with the sound.3. Obtain public emer-

gency information materialsfrom the utility that operatesyour local nuclear powerplant or from your localemergency services office. Ifyou live within 10 miles ofthe power plant, you shouldreceive these materialsevery year from the utility.

4. Learn the emergencyplans for schools, day carecenters, nursing homes andother places where membersof your family might be. Staytuned to your local radiostations for further updates.

5. Be prepared toevacuate:■ Gather, in advance,

clothing, a battery-powered radio andpersonal items.

■ Consider your transporta-tion options. If you do notown or drive a car, callyour state or local emer-gency managementagency office and askfor more information onalternative transportation.

■ See the evacuation andchecklists chapters forimportant details.

What To Do In A NuclearPower Plant Emergency

1. Keep calm. Not allincidents result in therelease of radiation. Theincident could be containedinside the plant and poseno danger to the public.

2. Stay tuned to localradio or television stations.Local authorities will providespecific information andinstructions.■ The advice given will

depend on the nature ofthe emergency, howquickly it is evolving andhow much radiation, ifany, is likely to bereleased.

■ Local instructions takeprecedence over anyadvice given in thishandbook.

■ Review the public infor-

15

Earthquakes An earthquake is theshaking or trembling of thecrust of the earth, causedby underground volcanicforces or by breaking andshifting of rock beneath thesurface. Earthquakes usuallylast only for a few seconds,but can last for as much asa minute. Minor earthquakeswill cause rattling windowsand dishes; if stronger, youmay feel a shaking sensationor, in a severe earthquake,the ground may sway likethe deck of a ship. Themovement can cause build-ings and other structures to shake or collapse. Theearth, however, does notopen up and swallow awhole neighborhood.Earthquake deaths andinjuries are seldom causedby the actual movementof the ground but from

falling objects anddebris, splintering glassand fires.

EarthquakePreparedness

Survey your home forpossible hazards and

then take actionto lessen thosehazards.

40

mation materials youreceived from the utilitycompany or governmentofficials.3. Evacuate if you are

advised to do so.■ Close and lock home

doors and windows.■ Keep car windows and

vents closed; userecirculating air.

■ Listen to radio broadcastsfor evacuation routes andother instructions.4. If you are not advised

to evacuate, remain indoors.■ Close doors and win-

dows.■ Turn off the air condi-

tioner, ventilation fans,furnace and other airintakes.

■ Go to a basement orother underground areaif possible.

■ Keep a battery-poweredradio with you at alltimes.

■ If you must go outdoors,cover your nose andmouth with a handker-chief.5. Shelter livestock and

give them stored feed andprotected water, if you areadvised to do so by localauthorities.

6. Do not use the tele-phone unless absolutelynecessary. All lines will beneeded for emergency calls.

14

Sewage DisposalOften sewage systems

are not usable after disasters.Earthquakes can causeextensive undergrounddamage in addition to struc-tural damage to buildings anddwellings. Tornado damageis typically limited to aboveground. In either case, anextensive period of time isrequired to make repairs.After flood waters recede,minimal repairs are usuallynecessary for the sewagesystem to properly function.

Many communities pro-vide portable toilets, butthese may be limited.Flooded outdoor toiletsshould be scrubbed thor-oughly with a solution ofone-half cup of laundrybleach per gallon of water.

If no toilet facilities areavailable, deposit humanwaste in a sturdy water-tightreceptacle used for thatpurpose only. Double linethe container with garbagebags. To make it easier toempty, place a small amountof water in the receptaclebefore it is used. If wastesystem becomes functional,dispose of waste into thissystem.Another option is tobury waste by digging a

trench or pit 24 inches deepand empty the contents ofthe receptacle into this pitas soon as possible aftereach use. Also empty anywater used to wash thereceptacle into the pit ortrench. Cover the waste inthe trench after each usewith a small layer of dirt,ashes or lime. When closingthe trench, cover it with atleast 12 inches of earth.Empty, used bags can bedisposed of with normalgarbage. It is very importantthat good hand washingpractices are followed afterhandling human waste.Good hand washing is thefirst line of defense againstthe spread of many illnesses,from the common cold tomore serious illnesses suchas hepatitis A, meningitis,E. Coli and most other typesof infectious diarrhea.

41

Terrorism Terrorism is the unlawfuluse of force or violence, orthe threat of violence forpurposes of intimidation,coercion or ransom.Terrorists often use suchthreats or actions to createfear among the public, to tryto convince citizens theirgovernment is powerless toprevent terrorism and to getpublic attention for politicalor social objectives.

The effects of terrorismcan vary significantly frominjuries and loss of life toproperty damage and dis-ruptions in services such aselectricity, water supply,public transportation andcommunications.

Attacks can take severalforms, depending on thetechnological means avail-able to the terrorist, thenature of the political issuemotivating the attack andthe points of weakness of

the terrorist’s target.Before the Sept. 11,2001, attacks on NewYork and on thePentagon, most terroristincidents in the United

States were bombings.Other terrorist methods

include kidnappings, arson,

13

freezing for three to fourdays. Do not stick yourhead into a freezer thatcontains dry ice. Dry icegives off carbon dioxide,which replaces oxygen,so leave the door open ashort time before examin-ing your food.

■ If you are not sure howlong the electricity hasbeen off, discard any foodthat smells bad, is slimy,has an unusual color oris room temperature.

■ If food is still “cold-to-the-touch,” it may be cookedand eaten immediately,or refrozen.

What To Do When YourRefrigerator Fails

When power goes off inthe refrigerator, you cannormally expect food insideto stay safely cold for four tosix hours, depending onhow warm your kitchen is.■ High-protein foods (dairy

products, meat, fish, poul-try) should be consumedas soon as possible ifpower is not restoredimmediately. They cannotbe stored safely at roomtemperature.

■ Fruits and vegetablescan be kept at roomtemperature safely untilthere are obvious signsof spoilage (mold, slime,wilt). With good ventila-tion, vegetables lastlonger at room tempera-ture. Remove them fromthe refrigerator if electri-cal service may notresume soon.

CleanupIf property damage is

extensive, heavy equipmentsuch as bulldozers may beused. It is important toidentify or “flag” any under-ground utilities, such asprivate sewage systems orwater wells, so they are notdamaged by the equipment.

During cleanup, it isimportant to wear protectiveclothing. Boots,rubber gloves andlong-sleevedshirts help reducecontact withcontaminateditems. Takecare not tostep onnails or otherprotrudingitems.

42

shootings and the use ofchemical, biological ornuclear agents.

Terrorists look for visibletargets where they canavoid detection before andafter an attack, such asinternational airports, largecities, major internationalevents, resorts or high-pro-file landmarks. One way thegovernment has attemptedto reduce the nation’s vulner-ability to terrorist incidents isby increasing security atairports and other publicfacilities, along with helpingprivate industry to enhancesecurity for vital assets andinfrastructure.

You can prepare to dealwith a terrorist incident byadapting many of the sametechniques used to preparefor other crises. But, peopleshould take additional pre-cautions:■ Be alert and aware of

your surroundings. Thevery nature of terrorismsuggests there may belittle or no warning.

■ Be careful when travel-ing. Be aware of con-spicuous or unusualbehavior. Do not acceptpackages from

strangers. Do not leaveluggage unattended.

■ Learn where emergencyexits are located. Thinkahead about how toevacuate a building,subway or congestedpublic area in a hurry.Learn where staircasesare located.

■ Notice your immediatesurroundings. Be awareof heavy or breakableobjects that could move,fall or break in an explo-sion.

PreparednessDevelop a disaster plan foryour family■ Choose an out-of-town

contact your family orhousehold will call or E-mail to check on eachother should a disasteroccur. Your selectedcontact should live farenough away thathe/she would be unlikelyto be directly affected bythe same event; be surethe person knowshe/she is the chosencontact. Make sure everyhousehold member hasthe contact’s and eachother’s E-mail addresses

12

(1/4-cup bleach in onegallon of water) for oneminute, then dry to pre-vent rusting.

■ If cans have pitted rustspots that cannot bebuffed off with a softcloth, corrosion mayallow contamination toenter through holes inthe walls of the can.Discard these cans.

■ Cans with ends thatbulge or spring in andout when pressed,should be discardedimmediately. This usuallymeans bacteria aregrowing inside and pro-ducing gas to expandthe can. Do not tastethe contents of suchcans.

■ If a can is crushed,dented or creased,closely examine it to seeif it is safe to use. A dentmay weaken the seamand allow contamination.If a dent or crease isvery sharp, the contentsmay be contaminated.Discard these cans. Donot taste.

What To Do When YourFreezer Fails

When the electricity isoff, a fully stocked freezerwill keep food frozen twodays if the door remainsclosed. A half-full freezer cankeep foods frozen about oneday. What can you do ifelectric service will not bere-connected within one ortwo days?■ Keep the freezer door

closed.■ Divide up your frozen

foods among friends’freezers if they haveelectricity.

■ Seek freezer space in astore, church, school ora commercial meat lock-er or freezer that haselectrical service.

■ Know where you canbuy dry and block ice.

■ Put dry ice in your freez-er. Never touch dry icewith bare hands! Itfreezes every-thing it touch-es. Twenty-five pounds ofdry ice willhold a 10-cubic-footfreezerbelow

43

and telephone numbers(home, work, pager andcell).

■ Establish a meetingplace. Having a pre-determined meetingplace right outside yourhouse and another out-side your neighborhoodwill save time and mini-mize confusion shouldyour home be affectedor the area evacuated.You may even want tomake arrangements tostay with a family mem-ber or friend in case ofan emergency. Be sureto include any pets inthese plans.

■ Prepare disaster supplykits. If you need to stayin your home, evacuateyour home or are askedto take shelter, havingessential supplies onhand will make you andyour family more comfort-able. Two kits should beprepared — one thatcan be kept in the houseand another that can betaken with you. For com-plete information on whatto include in the kits, referto the emergency supplieschapter in this booklet.

■ School emergencyplans. If you have chil-dren, learn what theemergency plans are attheir school(s). Someschools will send childrenhome alone; othersrequire a parent ordesignated adult to pickthem up. Be sure theschool has updatedinformation about how toreach parents or respon-sible caregivers.

■ Work emergency plans.Learn what the emer-gency plans are at yourworkplace.

Preparing for a buildingexplosion

The use of explosives byterrorists can result in col-lapsed buildings and fires.People who live or work in amulti-level building shoulddo the following:■ Review emergency

evacuation procedures.Know where the fireexits are located.

■ Keep fire extinguishersin working order. Knowwhere they are locatedand how to use them.

■ Learn first aid. Contactthe local chapter of the

11

■ Refrigerate leftoversimmediately after themeal. If there are largevolumes of food to cool(more than one or twopounds, or 1/2 gallon ofliquid), divide the foodinto several shallow con-tainers or smaller piecesto cool it faster. This pre-vents bacteria from mul-tiplying rapidly in thewarm food.

■ Do not thaw frozen foodat room temperature.Either cook it frozen orthaw it in the refrigeratoror in a place where thetemperature is lowerthan 41 degrees F.

■ Use only pasteurizedmilk.

■ Wash your hands thor-oughly before handlingfood, especially afterhandling raw meats orpoultry and after usingthe bathroom.

■ Do not leave high-proteinfoods (raw or cooked)sitting out at room tem-perature. Keep them hot(over 145 degrees F) orkeep them cold (under41 degrees F).

Examine Canned GoodsCarefully examine

canned goods that havebeen submerged in floodwaters, frozen, in a fire orcrushed. Some cans maybe safe to use after a goodcleaning and some may not.Follow these guidelines:■ Containers with cork-

lined lids or caps, screwtops or pop tops arenearly impossible toclean thoroughly aroundthe opening after beingunderwater or in a fire. Ifthere have been anymajor temperaturechanges, contaminantsmay actually have beensucked into the container.Discard these containers.

■ Tin cans are usuallysafe if they appearundamaged. Wash thesecans in bleach water

44

American Red Cross foradditional information.

■ Keep the following itemsin a designated place oneach floor of the building— portable, battery-operated radio and extrabatteries; several flash-lights and extra batteries;first aid kit and manual;several hard hats; andfluorescent tape to ropeoff dangerous areas.

Bomb threatsIf you receive a bomb

threat, get as much informa-tion as possible from thecaller. Keep the caller onthe line and record every-thing that is said. The follow-ing checklist will assist youin recording the necessaryinformation:

TimeDateCaller ID #

Questions to ask1. When is the device

going to explode or release?2. Where is it right now?3. What does it look like?4. What kind of device or

package is it?

5. What is in the pack-age? Chemicals? Germs?

6. What will cause it toexplode or release its con-tents?

7. Did you place thepackage, bomb or device?

8. Why?9. What is your address?10. What is your name?

Exact wording of the threat

Additional information Sex of callerRaceAge of callerCall duration

Caller’s voice (check all that apply)Calm NasalAngry StutterExcited LispSlow RaspySoft RaggedLoud Clearing throatLaughing Deep breathingCrying Cracked voiceNormal DisgustedDistinct AccentSlurred FamiliarWhispered Altered

If voice is familiar, who did itsound like?

10

■ Use sanitary disposableeating utensils whenthere is a shortage ofsafe drinking water.

IllnessDisease outbreaks may

occur after disasters. In theevent illness occurs, reportsymptoms to a physician ornurse. Persons with diarrheaor vomiting, and those livingin temporary group housingwho develop fever, sorethroat, cough or othersymptoms (except for thecommon cold) should notifya physician or health nurse.Persons who are sick shouldnot help prepare meals.

Because children some-times have intestinal infec-tions without showing symp-toms, and then often haveinadequate hygienic prac-tices, adults should checkthat children (especiallyyoung children) thoroughlywash hands after using thetoilet. This reduces the riskof disease transmission.

Dispose of used diapersin a plastic bag or othercontainer that can be closedtightly to prevent contact byothers.

Food Spoilage vs. FoodPoisoning

It is important to knowthe organisms that causefood to spoil are differentfrom the organisms thatcause food poisoning andmake you sick. Whenspoilage organisms —some bacteria, molds andyeasts — affect the look,smell or taste of the food,throw the food away.

Unfortunately, the bacte-ria that commonly causefoodborne illness — mild tosevere symptoms of vomit-ing, abdominal pain, diarrheaand sometimes fever — arenot so obvious. Theseorganisms rarely affectsmell, taste and appearanceof food to indicate that it isunsafe to eat. Followingthese simple rules will helpprevent foodborne illness:■ Cook foods thoroughly,

especially meats, poultryand pork. Use a meat-roasting thermometer inthe thickest portion ofthe meat. Cook chickento 180 degrees F, porkto 160 degrees F andbeef to 160 degrees F.

45

If accented, what type ofaccent?

Background soundsStreet noisesFactory noisesRestaurant noises Animal noisesVoicesClearP.A. systemStaticMusicLocalHouse noisesLong distanceMotorPhone boothOffice machinesOther

Threat languageWell spoken (educated)IncoherentTapedFoulIrrationalMessage read by threat

maker

Report call immediately toyour local police agency

Phone numberYour name Your telephone number

After you have beennotified of a bomb threat,do not touch any suspiciouspackages. Clear the areaaround any suspiciouspackage and notify thepolice immediately. Whenevacuating a building, avoidstanding in front of windowsor other potentially hazard-ous areas. Move a safe dis-tance away from the building.Do not restrict sidewalk orstreets to be used by emer-gency officials.

What To Do In A TerroristAttack

Take action to protectyourself and others. Remaincalm and be patient. Listento the radio or television fornews and instructions, andfollow the advice of localemergency officials.

In a building explosion,get out of the building asquickly and calmly as possi-ble. If items are falling off ofbookshelves or from theceiling, get under a sturdytable or desk. Untrainedpersons should not attemptto rescue people who areinside a collapsed building.Wait for emergency person-nel to arrive.

9

If the presence ofradioactive material is sus-pected, law enforcement willrope off and station guardsaround the area.

Follow the advice andinstructions of your localgovernment on ways to helpyourself and your communityrecover from the emergency.Be prepared to evacuate ifnecessary.

Notify your relativeswhen you are at a safelocation. Local authoritiesmay use valuable time andresources looking for familymembers if their location isunknown.

Personal Hygiene andGeneral Cleanliness

Following a disaster, itcan be difficult to maintaingood hygiene and cleanli-ness. These steps will helpyou serve safe foods andbeverages:

In order to prevent thespread of infection, alwayswash your hands with plen-ty of soap and water beforehandling or preparing foodor eating. Make sure chil-dren do the same. Useplastic or rubber gloves ifyou have any kind of skin

cut, burn or infection onyour hands.■ Wash hands, work sur-

faces and utensils in hot,soapy water after eachstep in food preparation.Do not put cooked meat,poultry or fish in thesame container that held

the raw prod-uct. The

cooked food maybecome contaminatedwith bacteria from theraw juices.

■ Keep cloths washed anddish towels clean.Bacteria can linger orremain in towels andcloths, so wash kitchenlinen often.

■ Wash dishes and uten-sils only in water that issafe to drink. Boil unsafewater for five minutes oradd eight drops of laun-dry bleach to each gallonof water, mix thoroughlyand allow to stand 30minutes before using it.

46

If there is a fire –■ Stay low to the floor and

exit the building asquickly as possible.

■ Cover nose and mouthwith a wet cloth.

■ When approaching aclosed door, use thepalm of your hand andforearm to feel the lower,middle and upper partsof the door. If it is nothot, brace yourselfagainst the door andopen it slowly. If it is hotto the touch, do notopen the door; seek analternative escape route.

■ Heavy smoke and poi-sonous gases collectfirst along the ceiling.Stay below the smoke atall times.If the terrorist attack

occurs near you, check forinjuries. Give first aid andget help for seriouslyinjured people.

If the attack occurs nearyour home while you arethere, check for damageusing a flashlight. Do notlight matches or candles orturn on electrical switchesbecause gas lines may bebroken and an explosioncould occur. Check for fires,

fire hazards and otherhousehold hazards. Sniff forgas leaks, starting at thewater heater. If you smellgas or suspect a leak, turnoff the main gas valve, openwindows and get everyoneoutside quickly.

Shut off any other dam-aged utilities. Confine orsecure your pets. Call yourfamily contact. Do not usethe telephone again unlessit is a life-threatening emer-gency because the tele-phone lines will most likelybe overwhelmed. Check onyour neighbors, especiallythose who are disabled orelderly.

If you are trapped indebris –■ Use a flashlight.■ Stay in your area so that

you do not kick up dust.Cover your mouth with ahandkerchief or clothing.

■ Tap on a pipe or wall sothat rescuers can hearwhere you are. Use awhistle if one is avail-able. Shout only as alast resort – shoutingcan cause a person toinhale dangerousamounts of dust.

8

Emergency water may beobtained from such sourcesas hot water tanks, toilettanks (not the bowl and onlyif the tanks do not havedeodorizers) and melted icecubes. If water from hotwater heaters or the tanksof toilets is used, it shouldbe boiled first.

Check your food suppliesbefore using them. Foodsthat require refrigerationmay be spoiled if electricpower has been off for anextended period of time. Donot eat food that has comein contact with flood waters.

A disaster may damagepublic water supply systemsresulting in contaminatedwater. After a flood, considerall water unsafe. Listen forpublic announcements on

the safety ofthe munici-pal water

supply. Ifyou haveto usewaterfrom the

faucet, boilit at a rolling

boil for at least five minutes.If you cannot boil, add eightdrops of household bleach

to each gallon of water. Mixthoroughly and allow tostand for 30 minutes. Onlywater that is clean inappearance and free ofodor should be treated thisway. To be safe, drink bot-tled water, juices or waterpreviously stored in therefrigerator.

Be sure to follow theinstructions of local authori-ties concerning the use offood and water.

If necessary, seek food,clothing, medical care andshelter from Red Crossemergency shelter sites orfrom local governmentauthorities.

Open closets and cup-boards carefully.

Check emergency sup-plies.

Stay away from disasterareas. Sightseeing couldinterfere with first aid orrescue work and may bedangerous as well.

Do not drive unlessnecessary; if you drive, doso with caution. Watch forhazards to yourself andothers, and report them tolocal authorities.

Do not pass on rumorsor exaggerated reports ofdamage.

47

BioterrorismBiological agents are

organisms or toxins that canproduce illness or death inpeople and animals. Theycan be dispersed asaerosols or airborne particlesor by infected individuals.Terrorists also can use bio-logical agents to contaminatefood or water.

Numerous biologicalagents could be used asweapons, but governmentofficials believe the mostlikely pathogens wouldcause diseases that includeanthrax, smallpox, botulism,cholera, plague, Q fever,salmonellosis, tularemiaand viral hemorrhagic fever.

Because biologicalagents take time to cause adisease, a biological attackmay not be obvious for daysto weeks depending on theincubation period of the dis-ease. If government officialsbecome aware of a biologicalattack through an informantor warning by terrorists, theywould most likely instructcitizens to either seek shelterwhere they are and seal thepremises or evacuateimmediately.

If there is no warning,the most likely way theattack will be detected isthrough the state or federalgovernment’s disease sur-veillance system. Throughthis system, health careproviders and public healthofficials are constantly onguard for unusual clustersof illness.

A person affected by abiological agent requiresthe immediate attention ofprofessional medical per-sonnel. Some resultant dis-eases – plague, smallpoxand viral hemorrhagicfevers – are contagious,and victims may need to beisolated. While it is possiblefor Q fever to be transmittedfrom person to person, itis rare.

Information, treatmentoptions and other advicewould be provided by gov-ernment officials to the publicthrough the news media.

7

There also may be gas leaksor electrical short circuits.

Put on heavy shoes toavoid injury from glass andother debris.

Use battery-poweredflashlights or lanterns if youdo not have electricity. Donot use candles, oil or gaslanterns, or torches becausegas lines may be broken andan explosion could occur.

Check for leaking gaspipes in your home. Do thisby smell only — do not usematches or candles. If yousmell gas or suspect a leak,turn off the main gas valveat the meter, open all win-dows and leave the house.

Immediately notify thegas company, police or firedepartment. Do not turnlights on or off, light match-es or do anything that couldcause a spark. Do not re-enter the house until youare told it is safe to do so.

If you are without heat,put on several layers ofclothing. A fireplace or elec-tric stove may be used forheat. Fireplaces should bechecked for cracks anddamage to the chimney orflue. Unnoticed damagecould lead to a fire. Gas

stoves can generate a sub-stantial amount of carbonmonoxide and should notbe used for heat.

If damage to the electri-cal system is suspected(frayed wires, sparks or thesmell of hot insulation), turnoff the electrical system atthe main box. If any of yourelectrical appliances are wet,

first turnoff themainpowerswitch,then

unplug the appliance, dry itout, reconnect it and finallyturn on the main powerswitch. If fuses blow whenthe electric power isrestored, turn off the mainpower switch again andthen inspect for short circuitsin your home wiring, appli-ances and equipment.(Caution: Do not do any ofthese things if you are wetor standing in water.)

Do not touch downedpower lines or objectstouched by downed powerlines.

If water leaks are foundor suspected, shut off thewater at the main valve.

48

Bioterrorism Disease Chart

Disease Germ Symptoms Treatment

Anthrax Bacillus Inhalation: Fever, Antibiotics, if(bacterial) anthracis fatigue, chest pain, prescribed early

difficulty breathing

Skin: Fever, fatigue, Antibioticsheadache, swollen lymphnodes and skin ulcer

Gastrointestinal: Sore Antibiotics, if throat, difficulty swallow- prescribed earlying, fever, swollen lymphnodes, vomiting blood orbloody diarrhea

Botulism Clostridium Progressive paralysis, If given early, equine (bacterial) botulinum respiratory failure antitoxin treats most cases.

Cholera Vibrio cholerae Acute diarrhea, vomiting, Immediate replacement of(bacterial) leg cramps fluids. Antibiotics can

shorten course anddiminish severity of illness.

Hemorrhagic Several viruses Vary by type, but often No treatment for mostfevers include fever, headache, VHFs other than supportive(viral) dizziness, muscle aches, therapies. Ribavirin for

abnormal bleeding some VHFs

Pneumonic Yersinia pestis High fever, chills, Several antibiotics, plague headache, cough with including streptomycin,(bacterial) bloody sputum doxycycline and

ciprofloxacin

Q Fever Coxiella burnetii Fever, headache, Doxycycline is most(bacterial) weakness, severe effective when initiated

sweating within first three days.

Salmonellosis Salmonella Diarrhea, fever, chills, Usually resolves in five to(bacterial) dehydration 10 days and does not

require treatment in mostcases

Smallpox Variola virus High fever, aches Vaccination up to four days(viral) (mostly back), rash on after exposure; no proven

arms, legs, palms of treatment later; antibioticshands, soles of feet for secondary bacterial

infections

Tularemia Francisella Fever, headache, tired- Antibiotics such as(bacterial) tularensis ness, chest discomfort, streptomycin or gentamicin

loss of appetite, cough

6

After aDisaster

Your first concern after adisaster is the safety of yourfamily, friends and neighbors.If possible, obtain medicalattention for serious injuries.Persons with a puncturewound or deep cut mayneed a tetanus shot if theyhave not had one in thepast five years.

If professional medicalassistance is not immediate-ly available, persons with aknowledge of first aid andemergency medical carecan save lives and reducesuffering. Do not attempt tomove seriously injured per-sons unless they are inimmediate danger of furtherinjury.

Tune to a local radio ortelevision station for

advice and instructionsand the latest emergency

information. If your area isdeclared a disasterarea, local radio andtelevision stations willcarry information on

where to go for disasterassistance.

Use extreme cautionin entering or working in

buildings that may havebeen damaged or weakenedby the disaster — they maycollapse without warning.

49

Stockpiling AntibioticsAntibiotics are used to

successfully treat a varietyof diseases, but there is noone antibiotic effectiveagainst all diseases. Theprecautionary use of antibi-otics when there is no expo-sure is not recommendedbecause such a measurecan weaken resistanceagainst other diseases anddeplete the supply of drugsthat might be needed in areal emergency. Antibioticsshould only be taken withmedical supervision.Keeping a supply of antibi-otics poses other problemsbecause there is a limitedshelf life before they losetheir strength.

The federal governmenthas stockpiled antibiotics forlarge-scale distribution inthe event of a bioterroristattack. The National StrategicStockpile is designed toensure the availability andrapid deployment of life-saving pharmaceuticals,antidotes, other medicalsupplies and equipment toany U.S. location in theevent of a terrorist attackinvolving a biological orchemical agent.

Gas MasksA gas mask is not a

good buy or good protectionagainst potential bioterroristthreats. Different types ofmasks and filters protectagainst different types ofbiological and chemicalagents. If you were to buyone type and an attack witha different agent occurred,your mask would be use-less. In addition, most of thegas masks on the marketare used and gas maskslose their effectiveness overtime.

New gas masks withNBC (nuclear, biological,chemical) filters are effectiveagainst a variety of agents.However, protection againstsome airborne agents mayrequire a full protective suit.Even if you had the propermask and/or suit for a givenagent, you would have towear it 24 hours a day inorder to be safe. Biologicaland chemical agents couldbe in the air without yourknowledge.

To make matters worse,gas masks can be difficultto use properly. Peoplehave been known to suffo-cate in their masks.

5

person, with at least athree-day supply for eachperson in your household,and as much drinkableliquid (fruit and vegetablejuices, soft drinks, etc.) ascan be carried

■ canned or sealed pack-aged foods that do notrequire refrigeration orcooking and a can opener

■ a blanket or sleeping bagfor each family member

■ writing materials to takenotes or information fromradio or television broad-casts

■ hammer, pliers andwrench

■ pocket knife■ fire extinguisher■ signal flare and whistle■ soap and towels■ paper towels and toilet

paper■ household laundry bleach

(unscented)■ an extra set of car keys

and a credit card, cash ortraveler’s checks

■ one change of clothingand footwear per person

■ a list of family physicians■ first-aid kit and manual■ non-prescription drugs,

including mild pain reliev-ers and antiseptic

■ any special prescriptionmedicines or foods need-ed by family members,

such as insulin, hearttablets, dietetic food andbaby food (Do not store inthe kit for long periods butadd at the last minute.)Ideally you should pre-

pare two kits and storeeach in water-tight contain-ers. Keep one in the base-ment of your home or nearthe front door. Keep thesecond kit in the trunk ofyour car.

Additional SuppliesOther items may prove

helpful:■ plastic bags (small and

large)■ a cooler and freezer-packs■ salt■ paper cups■ baking soda■ spoons■ matches■ tape■ needles and thread■ pre-moistened

towelettes■ splinting material■ hand lotion■ disposable diapers■ cotton balls■ sanitary napkins■ bandages■ extra eye glasses■ medicine dropper■ contact lenses and

supplies

50

Suspicious MailTerrorists have used a

biological agent, Bacillusanthracis, in letters mailedthrough the U.S. PostalService. Other forms ofattack, such as bombs, alsocan be distributed by mail.

Characteristics of suspi-cious packages and lettersinclude –■ Inappropriate or unusual

labeling■ Excessive postage■ Handwritten or poorly

typed addresses■ Misspellings of common

words■ Strange return address

or no return address■ Incorrect titles or title

without a name■ Not addressed to specific

person; marked withrestrictions, such as“Personal,” “Confidential”or “Do not X-Ray”

■ Marked with threateninglanguage

■ Postmark from a city orstate different from thereturn address andexcessive packagingmaterialAppearance

■ Powdery substance feltthrough or appearing on

the package■ Oily stains, discol-

orations or odor■ Lopsided or uneven

envelope■ Excessive weight■ Ticking sound■ Protruding wires or alu-

minum foilSuspicious packages or

envelopes should be handledas follows:■ Do not shake or empty

the contents of a suspi-cious package or enve-lope.

■ Do not carry the packageor envelope, show it toothers or allow others toexamine it.

■ Put the package or enve-lope on a stable surface;do not sniff, touch, tasteor look closely at thepackage or any contentsthat may have spilled.

■ Alert others in the areaabout the suspiciouspackage or envelope.Leave the area, closeany doors and takeactions to prevent othersfrom entering the area. Ifpossible, shut off theventilation system.

■ Wash hands with soapand water to prevent

4

EmergencySupplies

A disaster of almost anykind may interfere with yournormal supplies of food,water, heat and other day-to-day necessities. Keep astock of emergency supplieson hand sufficient to meetyour needs for a week.

If you stay at home duringthe disaster, these suppliescould help you live throughthe period of emergencywithout hardship. If youmust evacuate your homeand move temporarily to

another location, youremergency suppliescould be taken with

you. Even if you onlymove to an emergencyshelter station, thesesupplies might lessenthe burden on the shel-ter and make your stayeasier.It is also a good idea to

prepare a disaster sup-plies kit. Some items thatare easily obtainable maybecome difficult to find

after a disaster. The kitshould include the following:■ a battery-powered radio

and a flashlight, with extrabatteries for each

■ bottled drinking water—one gallon per day per

51

spreading potentiallyinfectious material toface or skin. Seek addi-tional instructions forexposed or potentiallyexposed persons.

■ If at work, notify asupervisor, a securityofficer or a law enforce-ment official. If at home,contact the local lawenforcement agency.

Chemical TerrorismChemical agents are

poisonous gases, liquids orsolids that can kill or inca-pacitate people and ani-mals. Some chemicalagents are odorless andtasteless, thus making themdifficult to detect. Thesechemicals can have animmediate or delayed effect.

Depending on the agent,human exposure can occurvia skin, inhalation, inges-tion of contaminated wateror food, or entry throughother mucous-lined areassuch as the eyes, nose andopen cuts.

Exposure to chemicalagents can be fatal.Severity of injuries dependson the type and amount ofthe chemical agent used

and the duration of expo-sure. There are four cate-gories of agents:■ Nerve – These types of

chemicals disrupt thetransmission of nerveimpulses in the body.The effects of nerveagents appear almostimmediately and ofteninclude visual distur-bance, runny nose,chest tightness, nausea,vomiting, convulsionsand death.

■ Blister – These agentscause skin burns andblisters, and may damagethe eyes, airways, lungsand other internal organs.

■ Blood – These rapidlyacting agents can causeseizures, respiratory fail-ure and cardiac arrest.

■ Pulmonary – If inhaled,these types of chemicalscan result in varyingdegrees of pulmonaryedema, usually after asymptom-free periodthat varies in durationwith the amount inhaled.Quick decontamination

of exposed surfaces is pos-sible for most chemicalagents. Bleach, specialpowders, or soap and water

3

tors, collapsible ladders, firstaid kits and utility shut offpoints. Next, draw a brokenline charting at least twoescape routes from eachroom. Finally, mark a placeoutside of the home wherehousehold members shouldmeet if an evacuation isnecessary. Be sure toinclude important pointsoutside, such as garages,patios, stairways, elevators,driveways and porches. Puttogether escape plans foreach floor of your home.Practice emergency evacu-ation drills with all house-hold members at least twotimes each year.

Maintain your car in goodoperating condition with anample supply of gasoline incase you have to leave yourhome.

Know how and where toshut off gas, water andelectricity to your house-hold. Keep necessary toolsor wrenches handy.

Keep important papersin a safety deposit box at abank. House deed, insur-ance policies, birth certifi-cates, and lists and photosof your possessions for

insurance purposes will beessential after the disaster.

52

can neutralize some ofthese agents. For example,bleaching powder canlessen skin injuries fromexposure to mustard gas, atype of blister agent, ifapplied soon after contact.

Medical or drug treat-ment can help some victimsof chemical weapons. Thereare antidotes available thatneutralize the effects ofnerve agents. Since nerveagents can kill in minutes,the antidotes must beinjected almost immediatelyafter exposure.

For the effects of mostother chemical weapons,symptomatic and/or sup-portive treatments can beadministered.

In the event of a chemicalagent attack, authoritieswould instruct citizens eitherto seek shelter where theyare and seal the premisesor to evacuate immediately.Most chemical agents arenot detectable without spe-cial equipment so you shouldnot leave the shelter untilappropriate notification hasbeen given that the chemicalagent is no longer a threat.Do not leave the shelter toassist or rescue victims.

Nuclear TerrorismTerrorists could potentially

target nuclear facilities.The primary risk associ-

ated with nuclear facilities isa physical attack or act ofsabotage designed to causean uncontrolled release ofradioactivity to the surround-ing environment. If terroristswere to attack a nuclearpower plant, the state’semergency response andthe actions to be taken bythe public would be thesame as if there were anaccident at a nuclear plant.(See previous chapter onnuclear power plants.)

Although terrorists havenever used a nuclearweapon, some terroristgroups have attempted toacquire the material to makeone. The nuclear industry iskeenly aware of the dangersof nuclear material fallinginto terrorists’ hands. Thereis a complex infrastructureat work to ensure nuclearmaterial is accounted for,safeguarded from diversion,and protected from theftand sabotage.

2

GeneralGuidanceThere are actions you cantake that will help you to getready for, and to cope with,almost any type of disaster.Knowing what to do is yourbest protection and yourresponsibility.

Perhaps the most basicthing to remember is to keepcalm. This may mean thedifference between life anddeath. In disasters, peopleoften are killed or injuredneedlessly because theyacted thoughtlessly or didnothing.

In a time of disaster, tak-ing proper action may saveyour life. Take time to think,and then take the appropri-ate action. Usually, this willbe action you have plannedin advance, or the actionyou are instructed to takeby local authorities.

Whenever a major stormor other potential disasterthreatens, keep your radioor television turned on tohear weather reports andforecasts, as well as otherinformation and advice that

may be broadcast by localauthorities.

Use your telephone onlyto report important events(such as fires, flash floodsor tornado sightings) tolocal police. If you tie up thetelephone lines, you mayprevent emergency callsfrom being completed.

A knowledge of first aidand emergency medicalcare can save lives andreduce suffering. Bothadults and teenagers canacquire these valuable skillsby taking general first aidcourses and specialtycourses, such as cardiopul-monary resuscitation(CPR), which are offeredfree in many communities.

In a fire or other emer-gency, you may need toevacuate your house, apart-ment or mobile home on amoment’s notice. You shouldbe ready to get out fast.

Develop an escape planby drawing a floor plan ofyour residence, showing thelocation of doors, windows,stairways and large furni-ture. Indicate the location ofemergency supplies, fireextinguishers, smoke detec-

53

Following a terrorist attack

EvacuationIf local authorities ask

you to leave your home,they have a good reason tomake this request and youshould heed the adviceimmediately. Listen to yourradio or television and fol-low the instructions of thelocal emergency officialsand keep these simple tipsin mind:■ Wear long-sleeved

shirts, long pants andsturdy shoes so you canbe protected as much aspossible.

■ Take your disaster sup-plies kit.

■ Take your pets with you;do not leave thembehind.

■ Lock your home.■ Use travel routes speci-

fied by local authorities.Don’t use shortcutsbecause certain areasmay be impassable ordangerous.

■ Stay away from downedpower lines.

Shelter in PlaceIf you are advised by

local officials to “shelter in

place,” it means you are toremain inside your home oroffice and protect yourselfthere.■ Close and lock all win-

dows and exterior doors.■ Turn off all fans and

heating and air condi-tioning systems.

■ Close the fireplacedamper.

■ Get your disaster sup-plies kit and make surethe radio is working.

■ Go to an interior roomwithout windows that’sabove ground level. Inthe case of a chemicalthreat, an above-groundlocation is preferablebecause some chemicalsare heavier than air andmay seep into basementseven if the windows areclosed.

■ Using duct tape, seal allcracks around the doorand any vents into theroom. Keep listening toyour radio or televisionuntil you are told all issafe or you are told toevacuate. Stay if told todo so.

1

IntroductionNo matter where you

live, your community mayexperience a natural or man-made disaster — a tornado,flood, winter storm, earth-quake, fire, nuclear powerplant accident or terroristattack. In any type of dis-aster, lives can be saved ifpeople are prepared for theemergency, and know whatactions to take when itoccurs. This handbook canhelp. It was compiled by theIllinois Department of PublicHealth, with assistance fromthe Office of HomelandSecurity, the American RedCross, the FederalEmergency ManagementAgency and the IllinoisEmergency ManagementAgency. This handbook con-tains information and guid-ance on what can be doneto enhance survival in theevent of a disaster.

Individuals and familiescan prepare for any type ofemergency by using thebasic information in thishandbook. The actions rec-ommended are general in

nature and should supple-ment specific instructionsissued by local authorities.

For information on yourcommunity’s disaster plan,contact your local emer-gency management office.

54

Evacuation Disasters force peopleto evacuate their homesmore often than you mayrealize. Transportation orindustrial accidents releaseharmful substances, forcingthousands of people toleave their homes for asafer area. Fires and floodsresult in evacuation evenmore frequently.

Therefore, local evacua-tion planning is important.Specific evacuation plansvary by community and bythe type of disaster, so con-tact your local emergencymanagement or civil defenseoffice for your community’splans.

How Much Time Will YouHave to Evacuate?

The amount of time youwill have to evacuateyour home or communitydepends on the type ofdisaster. In disastersresulting from a haz-

ardous material spill, youmay have only moments

to leave. Thismeans you mustprepare now, foryou may have

no time to collect even themost basic necessities.

Introduction .............................................................1

General Guidance...................................................2

Emergency Supplies...............................................4

After a Disaster .......................................................6

Earthquakes..........................................................15

Tornadoes .............................................................18

Floods ...................................................................20

Winter Storms.......................................................29

Fire........................................................................33

Nuclear Power Plant Accident ..............................36

Terrorism...............................................................41

Evacuation ............................................................54

SURVIVING DISASTERSA Citizen’s Emergency Handbook

Table of Contents

55

Evacuation PeriodsEvacuation periods can

last for hours or severaldays. For part or all of thistime, you may be responsiblefor your own food, clothingand other supplies untilhelp arrives or utilities arerepaired.

Advanced Planning forEvacuation

1. Use the chapter onemergency supplies as aguide to learn what youshould gather for you andyour family in case of evac-uation. Collect these crucialmaterials, especially foodand water, well in advanceof a disaster. Remember,once you are told to evacu-ate, you may have only min-utes to leave.

2. Review evacuationprocedures with your familyso that everyone under-stands what to do andwhere to meet if you areseparated.■ Ask a friend or relative

outside your area to bethe “checkpoint,” so fam-ily members can callthat person to say theyare safe.

■ Find out where childrenwill be sent if they are inschool when an evacua-tion is announced.3. Plan now where you

will go if you must evacuate.■ Consider the homes of

relatives or friends wholive nearby but outsidethe potential disasterarea.

■ Contact the local emer-gency management orcivil defense office forcommunity evacuationplans. Review publicinformation to identifyreception centers andshelter areas such asschools, churches,national guard armoriesor other public buildings.4. Keep fuel in your car

at all times. During emergen-cies, filling stations may beclosed. Never store extrafuel in the garage.

5. If you do not have acar or other vehicle, maketransportation arrangementswith friends, neighbors oryour local emergency man-agement office.

6. Know where andhow to shut off your home’selectricity, gas and water atthe main switches and

56

valves. Make sure youhave the necessary tools todo this (usually pipe andcrescent or adjustablewrenches). Check with yourlocal utilities for instructions.

What to Do When You AreTold to Evacuate

1. If there is time,secure your house.■ Unplug appliances.■ Turn off natural gas,

propane or other fuelvalves where they enterthe house. In a floodhazard area, storepropane tanks or securethem to the structure.

■ Turn off the main watervalve.

■ Take any actions neededto prevent damage towater pipes by freezingweather, if this is a threat.

■ Securely close and lockall doors, windows andthe garage.

■ Place a sign on the frontdoor or window to notifyauthorities that yourhouse or apartment hasbeen evacuated and noone remains inside. Ifpossible, leave a numberwhere you can bereached.

2. Follow recommendedevacuation routes. Do nottake shortcuts. They may beblocked.

3. Listen to the radio forinstructions and emergencyshelter information.

4. Carry a family safetykit. See the emergency sup-plies chapter for a list ofthose items the kit shouldinclude.

Returning Home1. Do not return to the

emergency site until localauthorities say the area issafe.

2. Continue listening tothe radio or television forinformation and instructions.

3. Use extreme cautionwhen entering or working inbuildings —structures maybe damaged or weakened.Beware of poisonoussnakes in flooded structuresand debris.

4. Do not take lanterns,torches or any kind of flameinto a damaged building.Leaking gas or other flam-mable materials may bepresent. Use battery-oper-ated flashlights for light.However, if you suspect agas leak, do not use any

SURVIVING DISASTERSA Citizen’s Emergency Handbook

Illinois Department of Public Health

57

kind of light. The light itselfcould cause an explosion.

5. If you smell gas, turnoff the main gas valve atthe meter.■ Do not turn on lights —

they can produce sparksthat will ignite the gas.

■ Leave the house immedi-ately and notify the gascompany or the police.

■ Do not re-enter thehouse until an authorizedperson tells you it is safeto do so.6. Notify the power

company or fire departmentif you see fallen or damagedelectrical wires.

7. If any appliances arewet, turn off the main elec-trical power switch in yourhome before you unplugthem. Dry out appliances,wall switches and socketsbefore you plug appliancesin again. Call utility compa-nies for guidance.

8. Check food andwater supplies for contami-nation and spoilage. Followspecific instructions fromyour local health departmentor agriculture extensionagency.

9. Wear sturdy shoeswhen walking throughdebris or broken glass, anduse heavy gloves whenremoving debris.

SURVIVINGDISASTERS

A Citizen’s Emergency Handbook

Illinois Department of Public HealthPrinted by Authority of the State of Illinois

For more information on how you can better copewith specific disasters and emergencies,

contact your local library or –

Illinois Emergency Management Agency2200 S. Dirksen Parkway

Springfield, IL 62703217-782-2700800-782-7860

orFederal Emergency Management Agency

Federal Center Plaza500 C St. SW

Washington, D.C. 20472202-566-1600

State of IllinoisIllinois Department of Public Health