Illustrated First Aid Guide - Marcia Wendorf [5]
What to Do During a Volcanic Eruption:
1. Listen to radio and television for eruption watches and warnings, and if ordered to evacuate, do so immediately.
2. Make sure your car(s) is fueled, study evacuation route and avoid areas downwind from the volcano.
3. If caught indoors, close all windows, doors and chimney or stove dampers.
4. If caught outdoors, avoid low-lying areas where poisonous gasses can collect or where mudflows can occur.
5. Put on long-sleeved shirts and pants, use goggles, and cover your nose and mouth with a damp cloth to aid breathing.
Wildfires
Forest, brush, and grass fires usually occur during hot, dry spells. The majority are caused by human carelessness, but lighting frequently causes wildfires.
What to Do During a Wildfire:
1. Listen to radio and television for wildfire information, and if ordered to evacuate, do so immediately.
2. Make sure your car(s) is fueled, and study evacuation routes.
3. While evacuating, watch for changes in the speed and direction of the fire.
Winter Storms
Heavy snowfall and extreme cold can paralyze an entire area.
What to Do During a Winter Storm:
1. Listen to radio, television and NOAA Weather Radio for weather reports and emergency information.
2. Conserve fuel by closing off unused rooms and by lowering your thermostat to 65 dgrees during the day and 55 degrees at night.
3. If using kerosene heaters, maintain ventilation, refuel the heater outside, and keep it at least three feet from flammable objects.
4. If outside, wear several layers of clothing, a hat, globes and cover your mouth and nose with a scarf to protect your lungs.
5. Avoid overexertion such as shoveling snow or pushing a car, these can bring on a heart attack.
6. Be aware of the signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
7. If outside, pull off the road, and attach a brightly-colored piece of clothing to the radio antenna.
8. Run the engine and heater approximately ten minutes each hour to keep warm. Make sure snow is not blacking the exhaust pipe, and open a window a crack for ventilation.
9. Move your arms and legs to maintain body heat.
10. Use the floor mats, seat covers, road maps or newspapers for insultion, and huddle with other passengers.
11. Take turns sleeping, one person should be awake at all times to look for rescue crews.
12. Drink fluids to avoid dehydration, and watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. 13. At night, turn on an inside light so work crews or rescuers can see you.
14. If rescue has not arrived, once the storm passes you may need to leave the car and set out on foot.
Winter Travel Kit
Keep the following supplies in your vehicle during the winter:
• Cell phone
• Shovel
• Windshield scraper
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered radio
• Extra batteries
• Water and snack food
• Gloves, mittens and a hat
• Blanket
• Jumper cables
• Tow chain or rope
• Tire chains
• Bag of road salt or sand
• Fluorescent distress flag
• Emergency flares
Hazardous Materials Incidents
Hazardous materials incidents have become more common in recent years as more chemicals are produced, stored or transported.
What to Do During a Hazardous Materials Incident:
1. Try to get at least half a mile away from the danger area, try to get above it; gases and mists are usually heavier than air and settle close to the ground.
2. Determine which way the wind is blowing and get upwind of the area.
3. If in a vehicle, close windows and vents, and shut off the air conditioner or heater.
4. If asked to evacuate, do so immediately.
5. If at home, close all exterior doors and windows, vents and fireplace dampers.
6. Turn off the air conditioner, furnace and ventilation system.
7. Take refuge in an above-ground room with the fewest openings to the outside; tape around windows and doors and cover windows and vents with plastic sheeting.
8. Listen to emergency broadcasts, and fully ventilate your house when you are advised to leave.
Nuclear Power Plant Accidents
Nuclear power plants