TERRORISM...How to Prepare
Unlike a natural disaster, there will likely be NO WARNING for a terrorism attack. A Family Disaster Plan is critical and should be in place at all times. Your family's plan should include emergency contacts and a Disaster Supply Kit.


BEFORE an incident:

• Be alert and aware of your surroundings
• Take precautions when traveling and watch for conspicuous or unusual behavior. Do not accept packages from strangers. Do not leave luggage unattended
• Learn where emergency exits are located
• Be ready to enact your Family Disaster Plan
  
  

DURING...

• A Building Explosion - Leave as quickly as possible
• If items are falling from above, get under a sturdy table or desk
• Fire - stay as low to the floor as possible. Cover nose and mouth with a wet cloth. If door is hot to the touch, do not open it - seek an alternate escape route. Stay below the smoke at all times
  
  

AFTER...

• If you are trapped in debris - use a flashlight. Cover your mouth with a piece of cloth. Tap on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can hear where you are. Use a whistle if one is available, and shout as a last resort (you can inhale dangerous amounts of dust)
• Assisting Victims - untrained persons should not attempt to rescue people in a collapsed building. Wait for emergency personnel to arrive
• Chemical Agent - authorities will instruct you to either seek shelter and seal the premises or evacuate immediately
  
  

How to Shelter-In-Place or Evacuate in the Event of an Emergency
If you are told to Shelter-In-Place in a chemical emergency or other emergency:

• Go inside a building. Go to an above ground room, not the basement, with the fewest windows and doors
• Take your Family Disaster Supplies Kit with you.
• Listen to TV or radio for information
• (For minimal protection while you are gathering your family and securing your home), cover mouth and nose with a damp cloth
• Close all doors and windows.
• Jam the cracks with wet towels.
• Tape around doors, windows, exhaust fans or vents.
• Use plastic garbage bags to cover the windows, outlets, and heat registers
• TURN OFF air conditioners, heaters, and fans
• DO NOT use fire places.
• Extinguish the fire. Close the damper.
• DO NOT go to schools to pick up children.
• Children will be cared for by school personnel.
• STAY in the room and listen to your radio until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate
  
  

Keep and maintain a Shelter-In-Place Kit:

• Bath/Hand Towels
• Duct Tape
• Flashlight
• Radio with Fresh Batteries
• Non-Perishable Foods
• Bottled Water
• First Aid Kit with Scissors
• Plastic Garbage Bag
• Prescribed medicines or a list of them

If you are told there is danger of an Explosion:

• Close the window shades, blinds, or curtains
• To avoid injury, stay away from the windows
  
  

If you are told to Evacuate in a chemical emergency:

• Gather a change of clothing
• Baby/dietary needs and medicines (Family Disaster Kit)
• Don't turn off your refrigerator, but do turn off all other appliances and lights before locking your home as you leave
• Take one car to the evacuation site
• Keep car windows closed and locked when traveling
• Shut off all vents
• DO NOT use the car air conditioner or heater
• Lock the car doors
• DO NOT go to schools to pick up children
• Children will be cared for by school personnel
• DO NOT take short cuts, because they could put you in the path of danger - take the route you are told to take
• Evacuate quickly and stay calm