Hurricane or Typhoon Safety Guide
Hurricanes or typhoons are strong storms that cause life- ¬and property¬-threatening hazards such as flooding, storm surges, high winds and tornadoes.
Preparation is the best protection against the dangers of a hurricane.
What should I do?
• Listen to Weather broadcast for critical information from the PAGASA. Check your disaster supplies and replace or restock as needed.
• Bring in anything that can be picked up by the wind (e.g. bicycles, lawn furniture, toys, trash cans).
• Close windows, doors and hurricane shutters. If you do not have hurricane shutters, close and board up all windows and doors with plywood.
• Turn the refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and keep them closed as much as possible so that food will last longer if the power goes out.
• Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances.
• Fill your car’s gas tank.
• Talk with members of your household and create an evacuation plan. Planning and practicing your evacuation plan minimizes confusion and fear during the event.
• Learn about your community’s hurricane response plan. Plan routes to local shelters, register family members with special medical needs as required and make plans for your pets to be cared for.
• Evacuate if advised by authorities. Be careful to avoid flooded roads and washed out bridges.
What supplies do I need?
• Water—at least a 3¬-day supply; one gallon per person per day
• Food—at least a 3¬-day supply of non¬perishable, easy-¬to¬-prepare food
• Flashlight
• Battery-¬powered or hand¬-crank radio
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications (7¬-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)
• Multi¬purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Silver-foil emergency blanket
• Map(s) of the area
• Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
• Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
• Tools/supplies for securing your home
• Extra set of car keys and house keys
• Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
• Rain gear
• Insect repellent and sunscreen
• Camera for photos of damage
What do I do after a hurricane?
• Continue listening to Weather broadcast or the local news for the latest updates.
• Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding even after the hurricane or tropical storm has ended.
• If you evacuated, return home only when officials say it is safe.
• Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed ¬out bridges.
• Keep away from loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company.
• Stay out of any building that has water around it.
• Inspect your home for damage. Take pictures of damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance purposes.
• Use flashlights in the dark. Do NOT use candles.
• Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are sure it’s not contaminated.
• Check refrigerated food for spoilage. If in doubt, throw it out.
• Wear protective clothing and be cautious when cleaning up to avoid injury.
• Watch animals closely and keep them under your direct control.
• Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
Recovery
As you rebuild
• Secure double entry doors at the top and the bottom.
• Strengthen existing garage doors to improve the wind resistance, particularly double-wide garage doors.
• Protect windows with permanent storm shutters or one-half inch marine plywood that is pre-cut to fit your doors and windows.
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts to prevent flooding and unnecessary pressure on the awnings.
• Select trees that are not as subject to uprooting to replace damaged ones. A gardening or landscaping professional can give you excellent advice.
• Identify a place to store lawn furniture, toys, gardening tools and trash cans that is away from stairs and exits to prevent them from being moved by high winds and becoming missiles.
Ask a professional to...
• Ensure roof sheathing is properly installed.
• Ensure end gables are securely fastened to the rest of the roof.
• Fasten the roof to the walls with hurricane straps.
• Elevate your home if it is near the coast and subject to flooding from a storm surge.
Let Your Family Know You’re Safe
Showing posts with label Disaster Preparedness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Disaster Preparedness. Show all posts
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Earthquake Safety Checklist
Earthquake Safety Checklist
An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the earth caused by the breaking and shifting of rock beneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes strike suddenly, without warning, and they can occur at any time of the year, day or night. Forty-¬five states and territories in the United States are at moderate to very high risk of earthquakes, and they are located in every region of the country.
Are you at increased risk from earthquakes?
• Contact your local emergency management office, chapter state geological survey or department of natural resources.
• Mobile homes and homes not attached to their foundations are at particular risk during an earthquake.
• Buildings with foundations resting on landfill and other unstable soils are at increased risk of damage.
Did you know?
Doorways are no stronger than any other part of the structure. During an earthquake, get under a sturdy piece of furniture and hold on. This will provide some protection from falling objects that can injure you during an earthquake.
How can I prepare?
• Become aware of fire evacuation and earthquake plans for all of the buildings you occupy regularly.
• Pick safe places in each room of your home, workplace and/or school. A safe place could be under a piece of furniture or against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases or tall furniture that could fall on you.
• Practice drop, cover and hold on in each safe place. If you do not have sturdy furniture to hold on to, sit on the floor next to an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.
• Keep a flashlight and sturdy shoes by each person’s bed.
• Make sure your home is securely anchored to its foundation.
• Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances to wall studs.
• Bolt bookcases, china cabinets and other tall furniture to wall studs.
• Hang heavy items, such as pictures and mirrors, away from beds, couches and anywhere people sleep or sit.
• Brace overhead light fixtures.
• Install strong latches or bolts on cabinets. Large or heavy items should be closest to the floor.
• Learn how to shut off the gas valves in your home and keep a wrench handy for that purpose.
• Learn about your area’s seismic building standards and land use codes before you begin new construction.
• Keep and maintain an emergency supplies kit in an easy-¬to-¬access location.
What should I do during an earthquake?
If you are inside when the shaking starts...
• Drop, cover and hold on. Move as little as possible.
• If you are in bed, stay there, curl up and hold on. Protect your head with a pillow.
• Stay away from windows to avoid being injured by shattered glass.
• Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit. If you must leave the building after the shaking stops, use stairs rather than an elevator in case there are aftershocks, power outages or other damage.
• Be aware that fire alarms and sprinkler systems frequently go off in buildings during an earthquake, even if there is no fire.
If you are outside when the shaking starts...
• Find a clear spot and drop to the ground. Stay there until the shaking stops (away from buildings, power lines, trees, streetlights).
• If you are in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop. Avoid bridges, overpasses and power lines if possible. Stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Then, drive carefully, avoiding bridges and ramps that may have been damaged.
• If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not get out. Wait for assistance.
• If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling rocks and other debris. Landslides are often triggered by earthquakes.
What do I do after an earthquake?
• After an earthquake, the disaster may continue. Expect and prepare for potential aftershocks, landslides or even a tsunami. Tsunamis are often generated by earthquakes.
• Each time you feel an aftershock, drop, cover and hold on. Aftershocks frequently occur minutes, days, weeks and even months following an earthquake.
• Check yourself for injuries and get first aid, if necessary, before helping injured or trapped persons.
• Put on long pants, a long-¬sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes and work gloves to protect against injury from broken objects.
• Look quickly for damage in and around your home and get everyone out if your home is unsafe.
• Listen to a portable, battery¬-operated or hand¬-crank radio for updated emergency information and instructions.
• Check the telephones in your home or workplace to see if you can get a dial tone. Make brief calls to report life ¬threatening emergencies.
• Look for and extinguish small fires. Fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake.
• Clean up spilled medications, bleach, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately.
• Open closet and cabinet doors carefully as contents may have shifted.
• Help people who require special assistance, such as infants, children and the elderly or disabled.
• Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and stay out of damaged areas.
• Keep animals under your direct control.
• Stay out of damaged buildings.
• If you were away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so. Use extreme caution and examine walls, floors, doors, staircases and windows to check for damage.
• Be careful when driving after an earthquake and anticipate traffic light outages.
Recovery
As you rebuild
• Install strong latches or bolts on cabinets.
• Place large and heavy objects and breakable items (bottled foods, glass or china) on lower shelves.
• Anchor overhead lighting fixtures to joists.
• Anchor top-heavy and freestanding furniture such as bookcases, china cabinets and other tall furniture to wall studs to keep these from toppling over in an earthquake.
• Secure gas appliances to the floor to prevent them from tipping over in an earthquake.
• Use heavy gauge metal strapping, sometimes called "strap iron" or "plumber's tape," to anchor the water heater to wall studs to keep it from moving or tipping. Find out if there are local building codes that describe the type of metal strapping that may be required in your area.
Ask a professional to
• Install flexible fittings to avoid gas or water leaks.
• Bolt the frame of the house to the foundation.
• Repair deep cracks in ceilings and foundations and make sure they are not indications of structural damage.
• Provide structural engineering design advice. Ask about home repair and strengthening tips for exterior features, such as porches, decks, sliding glass doors, canopies, carports and garage doors.
Let Your Family Know You’re Safe
An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the earth caused by the breaking and shifting of rock beneath the earth’s surface. Earthquakes strike suddenly, without warning, and they can occur at any time of the year, day or night. Forty-¬five states and territories in the United States are at moderate to very high risk of earthquakes, and they are located in every region of the country.
Are you at increased risk from earthquakes?
• Contact your local emergency management office, chapter state geological survey or department of natural resources.
• Mobile homes and homes not attached to their foundations are at particular risk during an earthquake.
• Buildings with foundations resting on landfill and other unstable soils are at increased risk of damage.
Did you know?
Doorways are no stronger than any other part of the structure. During an earthquake, get under a sturdy piece of furniture and hold on. This will provide some protection from falling objects that can injure you during an earthquake.
How can I prepare?
• Become aware of fire evacuation and earthquake plans for all of the buildings you occupy regularly.
• Pick safe places in each room of your home, workplace and/or school. A safe place could be under a piece of furniture or against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases or tall furniture that could fall on you.
• Practice drop, cover and hold on in each safe place. If you do not have sturdy furniture to hold on to, sit on the floor next to an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.
• Keep a flashlight and sturdy shoes by each person’s bed.
• Make sure your home is securely anchored to its foundation.
• Bolt and brace water heaters and gas appliances to wall studs.
• Bolt bookcases, china cabinets and other tall furniture to wall studs.
• Hang heavy items, such as pictures and mirrors, away from beds, couches and anywhere people sleep or sit.
• Brace overhead light fixtures.
• Install strong latches or bolts on cabinets. Large or heavy items should be closest to the floor.
• Learn how to shut off the gas valves in your home and keep a wrench handy for that purpose.
• Learn about your area’s seismic building standards and land use codes before you begin new construction.
• Keep and maintain an emergency supplies kit in an easy-¬to-¬access location.
What should I do during an earthquake?
If you are inside when the shaking starts...
• Drop, cover and hold on. Move as little as possible.
• If you are in bed, stay there, curl up and hold on. Protect your head with a pillow.
• Stay away from windows to avoid being injured by shattered glass.
• Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit. If you must leave the building after the shaking stops, use stairs rather than an elevator in case there are aftershocks, power outages or other damage.
• Be aware that fire alarms and sprinkler systems frequently go off in buildings during an earthquake, even if there is no fire.
If you are outside when the shaking starts...
• Find a clear spot and drop to the ground. Stay there until the shaking stops (away from buildings, power lines, trees, streetlights).
• If you are in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location and stop. Avoid bridges, overpasses and power lines if possible. Stay inside with your seatbelt fastened until the shaking stops. Then, drive carefully, avoiding bridges and ramps that may have been damaged.
• If a power line falls on your vehicle, do not get out. Wait for assistance.
• If you are in a mountainous area or near unstable slopes or cliffs, be alert for falling rocks and other debris. Landslides are often triggered by earthquakes.
What do I do after an earthquake?
• After an earthquake, the disaster may continue. Expect and prepare for potential aftershocks, landslides or even a tsunami. Tsunamis are often generated by earthquakes.
• Each time you feel an aftershock, drop, cover and hold on. Aftershocks frequently occur minutes, days, weeks and even months following an earthquake.
• Check yourself for injuries and get first aid, if necessary, before helping injured or trapped persons.
• Put on long pants, a long-¬sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes and work gloves to protect against injury from broken objects.
• Look quickly for damage in and around your home and get everyone out if your home is unsafe.
• Listen to a portable, battery¬-operated or hand¬-crank radio for updated emergency information and instructions.
• Check the telephones in your home or workplace to see if you can get a dial tone. Make brief calls to report life ¬threatening emergencies.
• Look for and extinguish small fires. Fire is the most common hazard after an earthquake.
• Clean up spilled medications, bleach, gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately.
• Open closet and cabinet doors carefully as contents may have shifted.
• Help people who require special assistance, such as infants, children and the elderly or disabled.
• Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and stay out of damaged areas.
• Keep animals under your direct control.
• Stay out of damaged buildings.
• If you were away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so. Use extreme caution and examine walls, floors, doors, staircases and windows to check for damage.
• Be careful when driving after an earthquake and anticipate traffic light outages.
Recovery
As you rebuild
• Install strong latches or bolts on cabinets.
• Place large and heavy objects and breakable items (bottled foods, glass or china) on lower shelves.
• Anchor overhead lighting fixtures to joists.
• Anchor top-heavy and freestanding furniture such as bookcases, china cabinets and other tall furniture to wall studs to keep these from toppling over in an earthquake.
• Secure gas appliances to the floor to prevent them from tipping over in an earthquake.
• Use heavy gauge metal strapping, sometimes called "strap iron" or "plumber's tape," to anchor the water heater to wall studs to keep it from moving or tipping. Find out if there are local building codes that describe the type of metal strapping that may be required in your area.
Ask a professional to
• Install flexible fittings to avoid gas or water leaks.
• Bolt the frame of the house to the foundation.
• Repair deep cracks in ceilings and foundations and make sure they are not indications of structural damage.
• Provide structural engineering design advice. Ask about home repair and strengthening tips for exterior features, such as porches, decks, sliding glass doors, canopies, carports and garage doors.
Let Your Family Know You’re Safe
Fire Prevention & Safety Guide
Fire Prevention & Safety Guide
The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards. Sixty-five percent of home fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms. During a home fire, working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives.
• If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL for help.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Test them every month and replace the batteries at least once a year.
• Talk with all household members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
Prevent home fires
Steps You Can Take Now
• Keep items that can catch fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Talk to children regularly about the dangers of fire, matches and lighters and keep them out of reach.
• Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
Cooking Safely
• Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• Stay in the home while simmering, baking, roasting or boiling food. Check it regularly and use a timer to remind you that food is cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire—like pot holders, towels, plastic and clothing— away from the stove.
• Keep pets off cooking surfaces and countertops to prevent them from knocking things onto the burner.
Caution: Carbon Monoxide Kills
• Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas.
• If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door.
• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawl space or any partially enclosed area.
Practice fire safety at home
Smoke Alarms
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
• Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.
• Once a month check whether each alarm in the home is working properly by pushing the test button.
• Replace batteries in smoke alarms at least once a year. Immediately install a new battery if an alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low.
• Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years. Never disable smoke or carbon monoxide alarms.
• Carbon monoxide alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms. Know the difference between the sound of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
Fire Escape Planning
• Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home.
• Make sure everyone knows where to meet outside in case of fire.
• Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year and at different times of the day. Practice waking up to smoke alarms, low crawling and meeting outside.
• Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch fire.
In case of fire...
Follow Your Escape Plan!
Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL your local emergency phone number.
• If closed doors or handles are warm, use your second way out. Never open doors that are warm to the touch.
• Crawl low under smoke.
• Go to your outside meeting place and then call for help.
• If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with doors closed. Place a wet towel under the door and call the fire department or 9-1-1. Open a window and wave a brightly colored cloth or flashlight to signal for help.
Use Caution with Fire Extinguishers
• Use a portable fire extinguisher ONLY if you have been trained by the fire department and in the following conditions:
o The fire is confined to a small area, and is not growing.
o The room is not filled with smoke.
o Everyone has exited the building.
o The fire department has been called.
• Remember the word PASS when using a fire extinguisher.
o Pull the pin and hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you.
o Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
o Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
o Sweep the nozzle from side to side.
Let Your Family Know You're Safe
Preparedness Tips
��Remember that lit candles are fire. Keep them at least 12 inches from anything that can burn, such as curtains, bedding, mattresses, paper, books, flammable decorations, clothing, and upholstered furniture.
��Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed. Do not leave a room before blowing out all candles.
��Use candle holders that are sturdy, won’t tip over easily, are made from a material that cannot burn, and are large enough to collect dripping wax.
��Place candles where they cannot be reached or knocked over by pets and children.
��During an emergency, always use flashlights and not candles as light sources.
��Never leave a child unattended in a room with a candle. And keep all matches and lighters out of reach and out of site of children.
��Keep all lit candles and other open flames away from any flammable liquids.
��Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and use the test button to check each alarm each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year.
FIRE PREVENTION TIPS
AT HOME
- Put phone numbers of fire department near phone.
- Eliminate fire hazards through goods housekeeping. Dispose waste paper, rubbish, and other flammable materials regularly.
- Keep matches out of the children’s reach.
- Oil or gas lamps and candles should be placed away from curtains. Do not put them where the wind, children or pets may topple them. Put out the flame before going to bed.
- Do not keep flammable materials like gasoline, alcohol, and paint inside the house.
- Regularly check your electrical installations, and have all frayed wirings and electrical fixtures changed or repaired by a licensed electrician.
- Do not overload electrical circuits by putting additional lights and appliances.
- Blown fuses should not be replaced with coins, wires, or any metal.
- Never leave a lit cigarette/cigar/pipe unattended-it may fall on flammable materials which could start a fire.
SIMPLE HOME PREVENTION MEASURES
- Crush your cigarettes and cigar stubs thoroughly before discarding them. Provide yourselves with ashtray. Do not smoke in bed.
- Oil or gas and other native lamps should be place away from curtains and other objects that easily catch fire. Do not put them where the wind, children, cats or other moving beings may topple them. Put out the flame before going to bed.
- Do not store any flammable substance or any volatile liquid in the kitchen. Cover the flammable container tightly.
- Extinguish all live charcoals and embers or concentrate them in the middle of the stove after being through with kitchen chores. Make it a habit to inspect the kitchen before retiring. Most fires in the home occur at night.
Keep matches and lighters away from reach of children.
- Clear the corners and nook of the house from rubbish, rags and other waste materials.
- Remove the accumulation of leaves in gutters and other parts of the roof and wood shaving and litters in the attic.
- Quantities of flammables, such as gasoline, oil benzene, naptha, alcohol, and other highly flammable materials should be kept in dwelling houses.
- Rubbish burning should be done on the stove or in the yard away from the house wall. Every smoldering coal left from the bonfire should be extinguished. Be careful that no flying embers from bonfire would alight on the roof of the houses.
- Do not use open flames for decorations.
Combustible objects, such as firewoods, waste paper and rugs should not be indiscriminately dumped or strewn in the house. Boxes should be regularly cleaned.
- Kerosene and oil stoves should be checked to leakage and they should be regularly cleaned.
- Do not use leaking liquefied petroleum gas equipment.
EMERGENCY ACTION: BURNS
SMALL HEAT BURNS
Remove clothing if not stuck.
Immerse burned area in lukewarm water or applied cold pack (never use ice) unless skin is open or blistered.
Cover burn with sterile or clean dressing.
MAJOR HEAT BURNS
Call for emergency help (usually 117) or rush conscious victim to hospital.
DO NOT remove clothing, DO NOT immerse in cold water.
Cover burn with clean material; keep victim warm, elevated burned feet or legs.
If not breathing, give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation: tilt-lift chin, pinch nose shut, seals mouth with yours gives 2 full breaths. Repeat: 1 breath each 5 seconds.
CHEMICAL BURNS
PROMPTLY call for emergency aid, or rush to hospital immediately.
If chemical container is nearby, obey first aid steps on it. Keep it to show to the hospital personnel.
Until helps arrived, remove clothing from burn and flood burn with water, if face is burned the eyes. DOCTORS SHOULD SEE ALL BURNS, EXCEPT IF SKIN IS REDDENED IN ONLY SMALL AREA.
The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards. Sixty-five percent of home fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms. During a home fire, working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives.
• If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL for help.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Test them every month and replace the batteries at least once a year.
• Talk with all household members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
Prevent home fires
Steps You Can Take Now
• Keep items that can catch fire at least three feet away from anything that gets hot, such as space heaters.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Talk to children regularly about the dangers of fire, matches and lighters and keep them out of reach.
• Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
Cooking Safely
• Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• Stay in the home while simmering, baking, roasting or boiling food. Check it regularly and use a timer to remind you that food is cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire—like pot holders, towels, plastic and clothing— away from the stove.
• Keep pets off cooking surfaces and countertops to prevent them from knocking things onto the burner.
Caution: Carbon Monoxide Kills
• Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas.
• If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door.
• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawl space or any partially enclosed area.
Practice fire safety at home
Smoke Alarms
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
• Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.
• Once a month check whether each alarm in the home is working properly by pushing the test button.
• Replace batteries in smoke alarms at least once a year. Immediately install a new battery if an alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low.
• Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years. Never disable smoke or carbon monoxide alarms.
• Carbon monoxide alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms. Know the difference between the sound of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
Fire Escape Planning
• Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home.
• Make sure everyone knows where to meet outside in case of fire.
• Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year and at different times of the day. Practice waking up to smoke alarms, low crawling and meeting outside.
• Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch fire.
In case of fire...
Follow Your Escape Plan!
Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL your local emergency phone number.
• If closed doors or handles are warm, use your second way out. Never open doors that are warm to the touch.
• Crawl low under smoke.
• Go to your outside meeting place and then call for help.
• If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with doors closed. Place a wet towel under the door and call the fire department or 9-1-1. Open a window and wave a brightly colored cloth or flashlight to signal for help.
Use Caution with Fire Extinguishers
• Use a portable fire extinguisher ONLY if you have been trained by the fire department and in the following conditions:
o The fire is confined to a small area, and is not growing.
o The room is not filled with smoke.
o Everyone has exited the building.
o The fire department has been called.
• Remember the word PASS when using a fire extinguisher.
o Pull the pin and hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you.
o Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
o Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
o Sweep the nozzle from side to side.
Let Your Family Know You're Safe
Preparedness Tips
��Remember that lit candles are fire. Keep them at least 12 inches from anything that can burn, such as curtains, bedding, mattresses, paper, books, flammable decorations, clothing, and upholstered furniture.
��Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed. Do not leave a room before blowing out all candles.
��Use candle holders that are sturdy, won’t tip over easily, are made from a material that cannot burn, and are large enough to collect dripping wax.
��Place candles where they cannot be reached or knocked over by pets and children.
��During an emergency, always use flashlights and not candles as light sources.
��Never leave a child unattended in a room with a candle. And keep all matches and lighters out of reach and out of site of children.
��Keep all lit candles and other open flames away from any flammable liquids.
��Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and use the test button to check each alarm each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year.
FIRE PREVENTION TIPS
AT HOME
- Put phone numbers of fire department near phone.
- Eliminate fire hazards through goods housekeeping. Dispose waste paper, rubbish, and other flammable materials regularly.
- Keep matches out of the children’s reach.
- Oil or gas lamps and candles should be placed away from curtains. Do not put them where the wind, children or pets may topple them. Put out the flame before going to bed.
- Do not keep flammable materials like gasoline, alcohol, and paint inside the house.
- Regularly check your electrical installations, and have all frayed wirings and electrical fixtures changed or repaired by a licensed electrician.
- Do not overload electrical circuits by putting additional lights and appliances.
- Blown fuses should not be replaced with coins, wires, or any metal.
- Never leave a lit cigarette/cigar/pipe unattended-it may fall on flammable materials which could start a fire.
SIMPLE HOME PREVENTION MEASURES
- Crush your cigarettes and cigar stubs thoroughly before discarding them. Provide yourselves with ashtray. Do not smoke in bed.
- Oil or gas and other native lamps should be place away from curtains and other objects that easily catch fire. Do not put them where the wind, children, cats or other moving beings may topple them. Put out the flame before going to bed.
- Do not store any flammable substance or any volatile liquid in the kitchen. Cover the flammable container tightly.
- Extinguish all live charcoals and embers or concentrate them in the middle of the stove after being through with kitchen chores. Make it a habit to inspect the kitchen before retiring. Most fires in the home occur at night.
Keep matches and lighters away from reach of children.
- Clear the corners and nook of the house from rubbish, rags and other waste materials.
- Remove the accumulation of leaves in gutters and other parts of the roof and wood shaving and litters in the attic.
- Quantities of flammables, such as gasoline, oil benzene, naptha, alcohol, and other highly flammable materials should be kept in dwelling houses.
- Rubbish burning should be done on the stove or in the yard away from the house wall. Every smoldering coal left from the bonfire should be extinguished. Be careful that no flying embers from bonfire would alight on the roof of the houses.
- Do not use open flames for decorations.
Combustible objects, such as firewoods, waste paper and rugs should not be indiscriminately dumped or strewn in the house. Boxes should be regularly cleaned.
- Kerosene and oil stoves should be checked to leakage and they should be regularly cleaned.
- Do not use leaking liquefied petroleum gas equipment.
EMERGENCY ACTION: BURNS
SMALL HEAT BURNS
Remove clothing if not stuck.
Immerse burned area in lukewarm water or applied cold pack (never use ice) unless skin is open or blistered.
Cover burn with sterile or clean dressing.
MAJOR HEAT BURNS
Call for emergency help (usually 117) or rush conscious victim to hospital.
DO NOT remove clothing, DO NOT immerse in cold water.
Cover burn with clean material; keep victim warm, elevated burned feet or legs.
If not breathing, give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation: tilt-lift chin, pinch nose shut, seals mouth with yours gives 2 full breaths. Repeat: 1 breath each 5 seconds.
CHEMICAL BURNS
PROMPTLY call for emergency aid, or rush to hospital immediately.
If chemical container is nearby, obey first aid steps on it. Keep it to show to the hospital personnel.
Until helps arrived, remove clothing from burn and flood burn with water, if face is burned the eyes. DOCTORS SHOULD SEE ALL BURNS, EXCEPT IF SKIN IS REDDENED IN ONLY SMALL AREA.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
BLACK OUT SAFETY TIPS
Blackout Safety Tips
Top Safety Tips for a Blackout
• Use only flashlights for emergency lighting. Never use candles due to extreme risk of fire!
• Turn off electrical equipment you were using when the power went out.
• Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer.
• Never run a generator inside a home or garage.
• Never connect a generator to a home's electrical system. Connect any equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.
• Listen to local radio and television for updated information.
How to Prepare for a Blackout
• Assemble essential supplies before a blackout, including:
o Flashlight
o Batteries
o Portable radio
o At least one gallon of water
o A small supply of food
• Follow energy conservation measures to keep the use of electricity as low as possible, which can help power companies avoid imposing rolling blackouts.
• Fill plastic containers with water and place them in the refrigerator and freezer if there's room. Leave about an inch of space inside each one, because water expands as it freezes. This chilled or frozen water will help keep food cold during a temporary power outage, by displacing air that can warm up quickly with water or ice that keeps cold for several hours without additional refrigeration
• Be aware that most medication that requires refrigeration can be kept in a closed refrigerator for several hours without a problem. If unsure, check with your physician or pharmacist.
• Keep your car tank at least half full because gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.
• Know where the manual release lever of your electric garage door opener is located and how to operate it. Garage doors can be heavy, so know that you may need help to lift it.
• Keep a key to your house with you if you regularly use the garage as the primary means of entering your home, in case the garage door will not open.
What to Do During a Blackout
• Use only flashlights for emergency lighting. NEVER use candles during a blackout or power outage due to extreme risk of fire.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to keep your food as fresh as possible. If you must eat food that was refrigerated or frozen, check it carefully for signs of spoilage.
• Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment (like air conditioners) or electronics in use when the power went out. Power may return with momentary "surges” or “spikes” that can damage computers as well as motors in appliances like the air conditioner, refrigerator, washer or furnace.
• Do not run a generator inside a home or garage.
• Do not connect a generator to a home's electrical system. If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to run directly to the outlets on the generator.
• Listen to local radio and to a battery- or generator-powered television for updated information.
• Leave on one light so that you'll know when your power returns.
• Use a standard telephone handset, cellular phone, radio or pager if your phone requires electricity to work, as do cordless phones and answering machines. Use the phone for emergencies only. Listen to a portable radio for the latest information.
• Do not call Emergency Hotlines for information—call only to report a life-threatening emergency. Use the phone for life-threatening emergencies only.
• Take steps to remain cool if it is hot outside. In intense heat when the power may be off for a long time, consider going to a movie theater, shopping mall or “cooling shelter” that may be open in your community. If you remain at home, move to the lowest level of your home, since cool air falls. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Put on layers of warm clothing if it is cold outside. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors. Never use your oven as a source of heat. If the power may be out for a prolonged period, plan to go to another location (the home of a relative or friend, or a public facility) that has heat to keep warm.
• Provide plenty of fresh, cool water for your pets.
• Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic signals will stop working during an outage, creating traffic congestion.
• Remember that equipment such as automated teller machines (ATMs) and elevators may not work during a power outage.
Information for People With Disabilities
• Call your power company before rolling blackouts occur if you use a battery-operated wheelchair, life-support system or other power-dependent equipment. Many utility companies keep a list and map of the locations of power-dependent customers in case of an emergency. Ask them what alternatives are available in your area.
Contact the customer service department of your local utility company(ies) to learn if this service is available in your community.
• Have an extra battery if you use a motorized wheelchair or scooter. A car battery also can be used with a wheelchair but will not last as long as a wheelchair's deep-cycle battery. If available, have a lightweight manual wheelchair for backup.
• Have a talking or Braille clock or large-print timepiece with extra batteries if you are blind or have a visual disability.
• Consider getting a small portable battery-operated television set if you are deaf or have a hearing loss. Emergency broadcasts may give information in American Sign Language (ASL) or open captioning.
Using a Generator
• Get advice from a licensed professional, such as an electrician if you are considering obtaining a generator. Make sure the generator is listed with Underwriter's Laboratories or a similar organization. Some municipalities, Air Quality Districts, or states have "air quality permit" requirements. A licensed electrician will be able to give you more information on these matters.
• Plan to always keep the generator outdoors—never operate it inside, including in the basement or garage. Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment you want to run directly to the outlets on the generator.
• Keep computer files and operating systems backed up regularly. Consider buying extra batteries and a power converter if you use a laptop computer. A power converter allows most laptops (12 volts or less) to be operated from the cigarette lighter of a vehicle.
• Turn off all computers, monitors, printers, copiers, scanners and other devices when they're not in use. That way, if the power goes out, this equipment will have already been safely shut down.
• Remember that some voice mail systems and remote dial-up servers for computer networks may not operate when the power is out where these systems are located. So even if you have power, your access to remote technology may be interrupted if the power that serves those areas is disrupted. Check with remote service providers to see if they have backup power systems, and how long those systems will operate.
Using a Generator
• Get advice from a licensed professional, such as an electrician if you are considering obtaining a generator. Make sure the generator is listed with Underwriter's Laboratories or a similar organization. Some municipalities, Air Quality Districts, or states have "air quality permit" requirements. A licensed electrician will be able to give you more information on these matters.
• Plan to always keep the generator outdoors—never operate it inside, including in the basement or garage. Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment you want to run directly to the outlets on the generator.
Using a Computer
• Keep computer files and operating systems backed up regularly. Consider buying extra batteries and a power converter if you use a laptop computer. A power converter allows most laptops (12 volts or less) to be operated from the cigarette lighter of a vehicle.
• Turn off all computers, monitors, printers, copiers, scanners and other devices when they're not in use. That way, if the power goes out, this equipment will have already been safely shut down.
• Remember that some voice mail systems and remote dial-up servers for computer networks may not operate when the power is out where these systems are located. So even if you have power, your access to remote technology may be interrupted if the power that serves those areas is disrupted. Check with remote service providers to see if they have backup power systems, and how long those systems will operate.
Energy Conservation Recommendations
To conserve power and help to avoid a blackout, follow these power industry recommendations:
• Set your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower in winter and at 78 degrees or higher in summer. (A 75-degree setting uses 18 percent more electricity and a 72-degree setting uses 39 percent more electricity. A 78 degree setting allows for sufficient cooling while still conserving electric power.) Consider installing a programmable thermostat so that you can have your furnace or air conditioning run only when you are at home. Most power is consumed by heating and cooling, so adjusting the temperature on your thermostat is the biggest energy conservation measure you can take.
• Use an air conditioner only when you are home. If you want to cool down a room before you arrive home, set a timer to have it switch on no more than one-half hour before you arrive home.
• Only use appliances with heavy electrical loads (dishwashers, washers, dryers) early in the morning or late at night.
• Do not set the thermostat at a colder-than-normal setting when you turn on your air conditioner. It won't cool your home any faster and could result in unnecessary energy expenditure and expense.
• Open draperies and shades on south-facing windows during the day in the winter to allow warm sunlight to enter your home. Close them at night to reduce the chill. Keep window coverings closed during the day in summer.
• Clean or replace furnace and air-conditioner filters regularly. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy use.
• Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.
• Turn off lights, appliances and computers when not in use. Avoid using a "screen saver" on your computer monitor. Simply turn off the monitor when you won't be using the computer for a while. Set computers, monitors, printers, and copiers to their energy saving feature and turn them off in the evening. It's no longer true that computer equipment is damaged by turning it off and on.
• Close windows when the heating or cooling system is on.
• Caulk windows and doors to keep air from leaking, and replace old windows with new, energy-efficient windows.
• Purchase energy-efficient appliances and lights.
• Minimize "leaking energy." Many TVs, VCRs, chargers, computer peripherals and other appliances use electricity even when switched "off." These "standby losses" can add up. If possible, unplug electronic devices and chargers that have a block-shaped transformer on the plug when not in use.
• Wrap the water heater with an insulation jacket, available at most building supplies retailers.
• Wash only full loads of clothes and clean the dryer's lint trap after each use. Use the cold water setting on your clothes washer when you can. Using cold water reduces your washer's energy use by 75 percent.
• Wash full loads of dishes in the dishwasher and use the "lite" cycle. If possible, use the "rinse only" cycle and turn off the "high temperature" rinse option. When the regular wash cycle is done, open the dishwasher door to allow the dishes to air dry.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights.
• Use one large light bulb rather than several smaller ones.
Top Safety Tips for a Blackout
• Use only flashlights for emergency lighting. Never use candles due to extreme risk of fire!
• Turn off electrical equipment you were using when the power went out.
• Avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer.
• Never run a generator inside a home or garage.
• Never connect a generator to a home's electrical system. Connect any equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator.
• Listen to local radio and television for updated information.
How to Prepare for a Blackout
• Assemble essential supplies before a blackout, including:
o Flashlight
o Batteries
o Portable radio
o At least one gallon of water
o A small supply of food
• Follow energy conservation measures to keep the use of electricity as low as possible, which can help power companies avoid imposing rolling blackouts.
• Fill plastic containers with water and place them in the refrigerator and freezer if there's room. Leave about an inch of space inside each one, because water expands as it freezes. This chilled or frozen water will help keep food cold during a temporary power outage, by displacing air that can warm up quickly with water or ice that keeps cold for several hours without additional refrigeration
• Be aware that most medication that requires refrigeration can be kept in a closed refrigerator for several hours without a problem. If unsure, check with your physician or pharmacist.
• Keep your car tank at least half full because gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.
• Know where the manual release lever of your electric garage door opener is located and how to operate it. Garage doors can be heavy, so know that you may need help to lift it.
• Keep a key to your house with you if you regularly use the garage as the primary means of entering your home, in case the garage door will not open.
What to Do During a Blackout
• Use only flashlights for emergency lighting. NEVER use candles during a blackout or power outage due to extreme risk of fire.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to keep your food as fresh as possible. If you must eat food that was refrigerated or frozen, check it carefully for signs of spoilage.
• Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment (like air conditioners) or electronics in use when the power went out. Power may return with momentary "surges” or “spikes” that can damage computers as well as motors in appliances like the air conditioner, refrigerator, washer or furnace.
• Do not run a generator inside a home or garage.
• Do not connect a generator to a home's electrical system. If you use a generator, connect the equipment you want to run directly to the outlets on the generator.
• Listen to local radio and to a battery- or generator-powered television for updated information.
• Leave on one light so that you'll know when your power returns.
• Use a standard telephone handset, cellular phone, radio or pager if your phone requires electricity to work, as do cordless phones and answering machines. Use the phone for emergencies only. Listen to a portable radio for the latest information.
• Do not call Emergency Hotlines for information—call only to report a life-threatening emergency. Use the phone for life-threatening emergencies only.
• Take steps to remain cool if it is hot outside. In intense heat when the power may be off for a long time, consider going to a movie theater, shopping mall or “cooling shelter” that may be open in your community. If you remain at home, move to the lowest level of your home, since cool air falls. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty.
• Put on layers of warm clothing if it is cold outside. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors. Never use your oven as a source of heat. If the power may be out for a prolonged period, plan to go to another location (the home of a relative or friend, or a public facility) that has heat to keep warm.
• Provide plenty of fresh, cool water for your pets.
• Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic signals will stop working during an outage, creating traffic congestion.
• Remember that equipment such as automated teller machines (ATMs) and elevators may not work during a power outage.
Information for People With Disabilities
• Call your power company before rolling blackouts occur if you use a battery-operated wheelchair, life-support system or other power-dependent equipment. Many utility companies keep a list and map of the locations of power-dependent customers in case of an emergency. Ask them what alternatives are available in your area.
Contact the customer service department of your local utility company(ies) to learn if this service is available in your community.
• Have an extra battery if you use a motorized wheelchair or scooter. A car battery also can be used with a wheelchair but will not last as long as a wheelchair's deep-cycle battery. If available, have a lightweight manual wheelchair for backup.
• Have a talking or Braille clock or large-print timepiece with extra batteries if you are blind or have a visual disability.
• Consider getting a small portable battery-operated television set if you are deaf or have a hearing loss. Emergency broadcasts may give information in American Sign Language (ASL) or open captioning.
Using a Generator
• Get advice from a licensed professional, such as an electrician if you are considering obtaining a generator. Make sure the generator is listed with Underwriter's Laboratories or a similar organization. Some municipalities, Air Quality Districts, or states have "air quality permit" requirements. A licensed electrician will be able to give you more information on these matters.
• Plan to always keep the generator outdoors—never operate it inside, including in the basement or garage. Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment you want to run directly to the outlets on the generator.
• Keep computer files and operating systems backed up regularly. Consider buying extra batteries and a power converter if you use a laptop computer. A power converter allows most laptops (12 volts or less) to be operated from the cigarette lighter of a vehicle.
• Turn off all computers, monitors, printers, copiers, scanners and other devices when they're not in use. That way, if the power goes out, this equipment will have already been safely shut down.
• Remember that some voice mail systems and remote dial-up servers for computer networks may not operate when the power is out where these systems are located. So even if you have power, your access to remote technology may be interrupted if the power that serves those areas is disrupted. Check with remote service providers to see if they have backup power systems, and how long those systems will operate.
Using a Generator
• Get advice from a licensed professional, such as an electrician if you are considering obtaining a generator. Make sure the generator is listed with Underwriter's Laboratories or a similar organization. Some municipalities, Air Quality Districts, or states have "air quality permit" requirements. A licensed electrician will be able to give you more information on these matters.
• Plan to always keep the generator outdoors—never operate it inside, including in the basement or garage. Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring. The safest thing to do is to connect the equipment you want to run directly to the outlets on the generator.
Using a Computer
• Keep computer files and operating systems backed up regularly. Consider buying extra batteries and a power converter if you use a laptop computer. A power converter allows most laptops (12 volts or less) to be operated from the cigarette lighter of a vehicle.
• Turn off all computers, monitors, printers, copiers, scanners and other devices when they're not in use. That way, if the power goes out, this equipment will have already been safely shut down.
• Remember that some voice mail systems and remote dial-up servers for computer networks may not operate when the power is out where these systems are located. So even if you have power, your access to remote technology may be interrupted if the power that serves those areas is disrupted. Check with remote service providers to see if they have backup power systems, and how long those systems will operate.
Energy Conservation Recommendations
To conserve power and help to avoid a blackout, follow these power industry recommendations:
• Set your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower in winter and at 78 degrees or higher in summer. (A 75-degree setting uses 18 percent more electricity and a 72-degree setting uses 39 percent more electricity. A 78 degree setting allows for sufficient cooling while still conserving electric power.) Consider installing a programmable thermostat so that you can have your furnace or air conditioning run only when you are at home. Most power is consumed by heating and cooling, so adjusting the temperature on your thermostat is the biggest energy conservation measure you can take.
• Use an air conditioner only when you are home. If you want to cool down a room before you arrive home, set a timer to have it switch on no more than one-half hour before you arrive home.
• Only use appliances with heavy electrical loads (dishwashers, washers, dryers) early in the morning or late at night.
• Do not set the thermostat at a colder-than-normal setting when you turn on your air conditioner. It won't cool your home any faster and could result in unnecessary energy expenditure and expense.
• Open draperies and shades on south-facing windows during the day in the winter to allow warm sunlight to enter your home. Close them at night to reduce the chill. Keep window coverings closed during the day in summer.
• Clean or replace furnace and air-conditioner filters regularly. Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy use.
• Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.
• Turn off lights, appliances and computers when not in use. Avoid using a "screen saver" on your computer monitor. Simply turn off the monitor when you won't be using the computer for a while. Set computers, monitors, printers, and copiers to their energy saving feature and turn them off in the evening. It's no longer true that computer equipment is damaged by turning it off and on.
• Close windows when the heating or cooling system is on.
• Caulk windows and doors to keep air from leaking, and replace old windows with new, energy-efficient windows.
• Purchase energy-efficient appliances and lights.
• Minimize "leaking energy." Many TVs, VCRs, chargers, computer peripherals and other appliances use electricity even when switched "off." These "standby losses" can add up. If possible, unplug electronic devices and chargers that have a block-shaped transformer on the plug when not in use.
• Wrap the water heater with an insulation jacket, available at most building supplies retailers.
• Wash only full loads of clothes and clean the dryer's lint trap after each use. Use the cold water setting on your clothes washer when you can. Using cold water reduces your washer's energy use by 75 percent.
• Wash full loads of dishes in the dishwasher and use the "lite" cycle. If possible, use the "rinse only" cycle and turn off the "high temperature" rinse option. When the regular wash cycle is done, open the dishwasher door to allow the dishes to air dry.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights.
• Use one large light bulb rather than several smaller ones.
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