Family Disaster Plan
Disaster can strike quickly and without warning. It can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home.

Emergency Supplies:
Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit with items you may need in an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as back-packs, duffle bags, or covered trash containers. Include:
· A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't spoil.
· One change of clothing and footwear per person, and one blanket or sleeping bag per person.
· A first aid kit that includes your family's prescription medications.
· Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries.
· An extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash or traveler's checks.
· Keep important family documents in a waterproof container.
· Keep a smaller version of this kit in the trunk of your car.

If Disaster Strikes:
· Check for Injuries
· Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.
· Listen to Your Battery-Powered Radio for News and Instructions
· Evacuate, if advised to do so. Wear protective clothing and sturdy shoes.
· Check for Damage in Your Home... Use flashlights. Do not light matches or turn on electrical switches, if you suspect damage.
· Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly.
· Shut off any other damaged utilities. (You will need a professional to turn gas back on.)
· Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline, and other flammable liquids immediately.
· Remember to...
· Confine or secure your pets.
· Call your family contact--do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
· Check on your neighbors, especially elderly or disabled persons.
· Make sure you have an adequate water supply in case service is cut off.
· Stay away from downed power lines.

Short-Term Food Supplies
Even though it is unlikely that an emergency would cut off your food supply for two weeks, you should prepare a supply that will last that long. The easiest way to develop a two-week stockpile is to increase the amount of basic foods you normally keep on your shelves. Include vitamin, mineral and protein supplements in your stockpile to assure adequate nutrition.

Recommended foods include:
· Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables. (Be sure to include a manual can opener)
· Canned juices, milk and soup (if powdered, store extra water).
· High energy foods, such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars and trail mix.
· Comfort foods, such as hard candy, sweetened cereals, candy bars and cookies.
· Instant coffee, tea bags.
· Foods for infants, elderly persons or persons on special diets, if necessary.
· Compressed food bars. They store well, are lightweight, taste good and are nutritious.
· Trail mix. It is available as a prepackaged product or you can assemble it on your own.
· Dried foods. They can be nutritious and satisfying, but have some have a lot of salt content, which promotes thirst. Read the label.
· Freeze-dried foods. They are tasty and lightweight, but will need water for reconstitution.
· Instant Meals. Cups of noodles or cups of soup are a good addition, although they need water for reconstitution.
· Snack-sized canned goods. Good because they generally have pull-top lids or twist-open keys.
· Prepackaged beverages. Those in foil packets and foil-lined boxes are suitable because they are tightly sealed and will keep for a long time.

Food Options to Avoid:
· Commercially dehydrated foods. They can require a great deal of water for reconstitution and extra effort in preparation.
· Bottled foods. They are generally too heavy and bulky, and break easily.
· Meal-sized canned foods. They are usually bulky and heavy.
· Whole grains, beans, pasta. Preparation could be complicated under the circumstances of a disaster.

Shelf-life of Foods for Storage
Here are some general guidelines for rotating common emergency foods.
Use within six months:
· Powdered milk (boxed)
· Dried fruit (in metal container)
· Dry, crisp crackers (in metal container)
· Potatoes
Use within one year:
· Canned condensed meat and vegetable soups
· Canned fruits, fruit juices and vegetables
· Ready-to-eat cereals and uncooked instant cereals (in metal containers)
· Peanut butter
· Jelly
· Hard candy and canned nuts
· Vitamin C
May be stored indefinitely (in proper containers and conditions):
· Wheat
· Vegetable oils
· Dried corn
· Baking powder
· Soybeans
· Instant coffee, tea and cocoa
· Salt
· Noncarbonated soft drinks
· White rice
· Bouillon products
· Dry pasta
· Powdered milk (in nitrogen-packed cans)

Emergency Water Storage
Having an ample supply of clean water is a top priority in an emergency. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need even more. You will also need water for food preparation and hygiene. Store a total of at least one gallon per person, per day. You should store at least a two-week supply of water for each member of your family. Whereas a quart of water or other fluid daily will sustain life, according to the Department of Defense and the Office of Civil Defense, it is recommended that a gallon of water per day per person be stored for food preparation and drinking.

If supplies run low, never ration water. Drink the amount you need today, and try to find more for tomorrow. You can minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing activity and staying cool.
Amount of Water to Store
A gallon provides added comfort and accommodates increased fluid needs at higher altitudes or warm climates. An additional one-half to 1 gallon per day is recommended for bathing and hygiene, and to wash dishes.

Use the following guidelines when storing water:
1. Store drinking water in carefully cleaned, non-corrosive, tightly covered containers.
2. Store containers in a cool dark place. DO NOT store in direct sunlight. Polyethylene plastics (prepackaged milk and water bottles) are somewhat permeable to hydrocarbon vapors. Keep away from stored gasoline, kerosene, pesticides, or similar substances. 3. Stored tap water should be rotated every 6 months. Prepackaged bottled water should be rotated once a year. Check the pull date on the container. Be sure it didn't sit on the store's shelf for a year before you purchased it. Self Serve Bottled Water should be rotated once a year, as long as the water treatment process includes ozonation.
4. Rotate your stored water with the water you use on a regular basis.
Containers That Can be Used for Water Storage
Food-grade plastic or glass containers are suitable for storing water. One-, three- and five-gallon water containers can be purchased from most outdoor or hardware stores. Any plastic or glass container that previously held food or beverages such as 2-liter soda bottles or water, juice, punch or milk jugs, also may be used. Stainless steel can be used to store water which has not been or will not be treated with chlorine; chlorine is corrosive to most metals. 55 gal drums, designed specifiacally for water storage can be difficult to transport, if the need arises, but are of a tremendous value in an emergency .When looking for additional food grade containers, the bottom will be stamped with HDPE (High Density PolyEthylene) and coded with the recycle symbol and a "2" inside. HDPE containers are FDA-approved for food. Containers without these designations aren't OK because of possible chemical interactions between the water and the plastic. Clean used containers and lids with hot soapy water. Once the containers have been thoroughly cleaned, rinse them with water and sanitize the containers and lids by rinsing them with a solution of 1 tablespoon chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Leave the containers wet for two minutes, then rinse them again with water. Remember to remove the paper or plastic lid liners before washing the lids. It is very difficult to effectively remove all residue from many containers, so carefully clean hard-to-reach places like the handles of milk jugs. To sanitize stainless steel containers, place the container in boiling water for 10 minutes. Never use containers that previously held chemicals. It is recommended that you add 5-7 drops, about 1/8 teaspoon, of chlorine bleach per gallon of water stored. Clearly label all water containers "drinking water" with the current date. Store the water in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Do not store it near gasoline, kerosene, pesticides or similar substances.

72 hour "Go Pack"
· 1-2 gallons of water per person , per day should be stored for sanitation and drinking
· Method of water purification
· Food
· 72 + Hour Supply of Food and Water
· Warmth and Shelter
· Windproof/waterproof matches
· Second method to start a fire
· Tent/shelter
· Wool-blend blanket or
· Sleeping bag
· Emergency reflective blanket
· Lightweight stove and fuel
· Hand and body warm packs
· Poncho
· Light Sources
· Flashlight with batteries
· Candle
· Light stick
· Tools
· Pocket knife
· Shovel
· Hatchet or Axe
· Sewing kit
· 50-foot nylon rope
· First Aid
· First aid kit and supplies
· Burn gel and dressings
· Bottle of potassium iodide tablets
· Communications
· Radio with batteries or radio with alternate power sources
· Personal Sanitation
· Personal comfort kit (include soap, toothbrush and gel, comb, tissue, sanitary napkins, razor), and other needed items
· Extra Clothing
· A complete outfit of appropriate clothing for each family member. Include extra socks, underwear, hat, sturdy shoes, and gloves
· Money
· At least $50 in small bills in your kit. Be sure to include quarters and dimes for phone calls
· Important Papers
· Copies of documents important to your family (such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, wills, insurance forms), phone numbers you might need, credit card information
· Additional Items- Extra food - Camp stove Mess kits and other cooking equipment - Sun block - Insect repellent Portable toilet - Special medication, extra glasses- Portable Container - Durable water resistant duffel bag, frame pack or day pack

*** Need To Know ***
1) Your go pack kit should be in a portable container located near an exit of your house or better, sheltered in your backyard.
2) Each family member should have their own go pack kit with food, clothing and water. Distribute heavy items between kits.
3) Enclose the extra clothing, matches, personal documents, and other items damageable by smoke or water in plastic to protect them.
4) Keep a light source in the top of your go pack kit, so you can find it quickly in the dark.
5) Personalize your go pack kit. Make sure you fill the needs of each family member.
6) Inspect your kit at least twice a year. Rotate food and water every six months. Don't forget to check your medications. Check children's clothing for proper fit. Adjust clothing for winter or summer needs. Check expiration dates on batteries, light sticks, warm packs, food and water.
7) Consider the needs of elderly people as well as those with handicaps or other special needs. For example: for babies, store diapers, washcloth, ointment, bottles and pacifiers, and other special supplies.

49MHz Personal Communicators
The advantage of this system is the extremely low power drain. Most sets are powered by only 2 or 3 AA batteries and can be in service for months. Their size makes them perfect for traveling lightand taking up very little space. The big disadvantage is limited range. Expect under a quarter mile coverage with these systems. This can be seen as an advantage when you don't want to battle hundreds of other people on your frequency.
Prices for 49MHz Personal Communicators range from $30 to $50 each.
Amateur Radio2 meter band (144MHz). Small handi-talkies for 2 meters are relatively cheap and give a range of 20-50 miles depending on terrain, power and whether or not you're using a repeater. Many repeaters provide access to 911 services through the handi-talkie.
Expect to pay $200-$500 for 2 meter transceivers depending on features. If you're planning to use Amateur Radio for your family, each member needs a Technician license and their own handi-talkie.
Get a radio with a crank handle ($30-40 at Circuit City)

Evacuation Inventory
If you have to evacuate your house, you may have as little as 10 minutes. Under these circumstances, trying to think of what to save is very difficult. Take some time now to think about what items you would try to take with you.Write down a list of the high priority items you would take if you only had 10 minutes to evacuate your house. Remember, you may have to carry everything.

Evacuation Steps
If you have time during an evacuation, you may want to take steps to secure your house. Give some thought to what things you need to do to secure your house. Write down your plans and keep the paper in a safe and accessible location.

Household Evacuation Plan
Draw your building's floorplan, then draw your evacuation routes and a meeting place. Make one drawing for each story of the building. Keep in a safe place and review often with your family. Have maps ready for the following:
. Closest evacuation centers.
. Main and Alternative routes for leaving the city in North, South, East and West directions.
. Meetup spots outside the affected areas.

Choosing An Out-of-Area Contact:
• During an emergency local phone service may be limited, so you should arrange with someone outside your area to be your family contact.
• Your contact person should have voice mail or an answering machine.
• Ensure that every family member knows that they should listen to the radio or TV for telephone use instructions, then phone your out-of-area contact person to say how and where they are and what their plans are.
• Keep calls short, and if possible, arrange to call the contact person back at a specified time for anothercheck-in.
Choosing A Place to Meet:
• At the time of an emergency, your family may not be together. It is important to choose family meetingplaces.
• Remember that bridges may be out and roads may be blocked by debris, so choose your meeting places carefully with access in mind.
• Pick places that are easy to identify, that can be reached on foot if necessary, and that are in an accessible, open area.
• Take into account where each of you will likely be at different times and on different days.
The evacuation plan for your neighborhood can be handy in a large disaster. By plotting out potential routes on a city map before the disaster, you will save yourself from having to figure something out while in a hurry. Things to think about when crafting your neighborhood evacuation plan include:
· You should plan two (2) routes for each direction. (North, South, East, West.)
· You should avoid routes with obvious hazards, or routes which are likely to be impassible in a disaster. (You probably will want to drive the routes before deciding.) And avoid common routes that may be congested during an emergency.
· Establish plans with other family members for meeting up outside of the evacuated area. Make sure each member knows the location of the established meeting points.
· You should have a phone list of 3 contacts, outside of your area. Each family member should carry a personal copy of this list. In an emergency, communications may be down in your area. Family members can contact the persons out of the emergency area to pass along messages and to check on the welfare of other family members.
Be sure that each family member has a copy of the evacuation plan, maps and telephone numbers. You should also allow for an evacuation scenario, while at work.
Keep your evacuation plans in a safe location with your "Go Pack".

Chemical, biological and nuclear attack
Why You Might Need to Shelter-in-Place: Chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants may be released accidentally or intentionally into the environment. Should this occur, information will be provided by local authorities on television and radio stations on how to protect you and your family. Because information will most likely be provided on television and radio, it is important to keep a TV or radio on, even during the workday. The important thing is for you to follow instructions of local authorities and know what to do if they advise you to shelter-in-place.

How to Shelter-in-Place
At Home:
· Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
· If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds, or curtains.
· Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems.
· Close the fireplace damper.
· Get your family disaster supplies kit and make sure the radio is working.
· Go to an interior room without windows that's above ground level. In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air, and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed.
· Bring your pets with you, and be sure to bring additional food and water supplies for them.
· It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room you select. Call your emergency contact and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.
· Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.
· Keep listening to your radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.

At Work:
· Close the business.
· Bring everyone into the room(s). Shut and lock the door(s).
· If there are customers, clients, or visitors in the building, provide for their safety by asking them to stay – not leave. When authorities provide directions to shelter-in-place, they want everyone to take those steps now, where they are, and not drive or walk outdoors.
· Unless there is an imminent threat, ask employees, customers, clients, and visitors to call their emergency contact to let them know where they are and that they are safe.
· Turn on call-forwarding or alternative telephone answering systems or services. If the business has voice mail or an automated attendant, change the recording to indicate that the business is closed, and that staff and visitors are remaining in the building until authorities advise it is safe to leave.
· Close and lock all windows, exterior doors, and any other openings to the outside.
· If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds, or curtains.
· Have employees familiar with your building’s mechanical systems turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Some systems automatically provide for exchange of inside air with outside air – these systems, in particular, need to be turned off, sealed, or disabled.
· Gather essential disaster supplies, such as nonperishable food, bottled water, battery-powered radios, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, plastic sheeting, and plastic garbage bags.
· Select interior room(s) above the ground floor, with the fewest windows or vents. The room(s) should have adequate space for everyone to be able to sit in. Avoid overcrowding by selecting several rooms if necessary. Large storage closets, utility rooms, pantries, copy and conference rooms without exterior windows will work well. Avoid selecting a room with mechanical equipment like ventilation blowers or pipes, because this equipment may not be able to be sealed from the outdoors.
· It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room(s) you select. Call emergency contacts and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.
· Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door(s) and any vents into the room.
· Write down the names of everyone in the room, and call your business’ designated emergency contact to report who is in the room with you, and their affiliation with your business (employee, visitor, client, customer.)
· Keep listening to the radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.
At School:
· Close the school. Activate the school’s emergency plan. Follow reverse evacuation procedures to bring students, faculty, and staff indoors.
· If there are visitors in the building, provide for their safety by asking them to stay – not leave. When authorities provide directions to shelter-in-place, they want everyone to take those steps now, where they are, and not drive or walk outdoors.
· Provide for answering telephone inquiries from concerned parents by having at least one telephone with the school’s listed telephone number available in the room selected to provide shelter for the school secretary, or person designated to answer these calls. This room should also be sealed. There should be a way to communicate among all rooms where people are sheltering-in-place in the school.
· Ideally, provide for a way to make announcements over the school-wide public address system from the room where the top school official takes shelter.
· If children have cell phones, allow them to use them to call a parent or guardian to let them know that they have been asked to remain in school until further notice, and that they are safe.
· If the school has voice mail or an automated attendant, change the recording to indicate that the school is closed, students and staff are remaining in the building until authorities advise that it is safe to leave.
· Provide directions to close and lock all windows, exterior doors, and any other openings to the outside.
· If you are told there is danger of explosion, direct that window shades, blinds, or curtains be closed.
· Have employees familiar with your building’s mechanical systems turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Some systems automatically provide for exchange of inside air with outside air – these systems, in particular, need to be turned off, sealed, or disabled.
· Gather essential disaster supplies, such as nonperishable food, bottled water, battery-powered radios, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, plastic sheeting, and plastic garbage bags.
· Select interior room(s) above the ground floor, with the fewest windows or vents. The room(s) should have adequate space for everyone to be able to sit in. Avoid overcrowding by selecting several rooms if necessary. Classrooms may be used if there are no windows or the windows are sealed and can not be opened. Large storage closets, utility rooms, meeting rooms, and even a gymnasium without exterior windows will also work well.
· It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room(s) you select. Call emergency contacts and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.
· Bring everyone into the room. Shut and lock the door.
· Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door(s) and any vents into the room.
· Write down the names of everyone in the room, and call your schools’ designated emergency contact to report who is in the room with you.
· Listen for an official announcement from school officials via the public address system, and stay where you are until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.

In Your Vehicle:
If you are driving a vehicle and hear advice to “shelter-in-place” on the radio, take these steps:
· If you are very close to home, your office, or a public building, go there immediately and go inside. Follow the shelter-in-place recommendations for the place you pick described above.
· If you are unable to get to a home or building quickly and safely, then pull over to the side of the road. Stop your vehicle in the safest place possible. If it is sunny outside, it is preferable to stop under a bridge or in a shady spot, to avoid being overheated.
· Turn off the engine. ? Close windows and vents.
· If possible, seal the heating/air conditioning vents with duct tape.
· Listen to the radio regularly for updated advice and instructions.
· Stay where you are until you are told it is safe to get back on the road. Be aware that some roads may be closed or traffic detoured. Follow the directions of law enforcement officials.
Local officials on the scene are the best source of information for your particular situation. Following their instructions during and after emergencies regarding sheltering, food, water, and clean up methods is your safest choice.
Remember that instructions to shelter-in-place are usually provided for durations of a few hours, not days or weeks. There is little danger that the room in which you are taking shelter will run out of oxygen and you will suffocate.

Sanitation and Hygiene In An Emergency
The lack of sanitation facilities following major disaster can quickly create secondary problems unless basic guidelines are followed. If the water lines are damaged or if damage is suspected, do not flush the toilet. Avoid digging holes in the ground and using these. Untreated raw sewage can pollute fresh ground water supplies. It also attracts flies and promotes the spread of diseases.
· Store a large supply of heavy-duty plastic bags, twist ties, disinfectant, and toilet paper
· A good disinfectant that is easy to use is a solution of 1 part liquid bleach to 10 parts water. Dry bleach is caustic and not safe for this type of use.
· If the toilet is NOT able to be flushed, it can still be used. This is less stressful for most people than using some other container. Remove all the bowl water. Line it with a heavy-duty plastic bag. When finished, add a small amount of deodorant or disinfectant, securely tie the bag, and dispose of it in a large trash can with a tight fitting lid. This large trash can should also be lined with a sturdy trash bag. Eventually, the city will provide a means to dispose of these bags.
· Portable camp toilets, small trash cans or sturdy buckets lined with heavy-duty plastic bags can also be used. Those with tight fitting lids are best.
Tips for Staying Clean in an Emergency Situation
As much as possible, continue regular hygiene habits such as brushing your teeth, washing your face, combing your hair and even washing your body with a wet washcloth. This will help prevent the spread of disease and irritation as well as help relieve stress.
· Keep your fingers out of your mouth. Avoid handling food with your hands.
· Purify your drinking water. Use chlorine bleach, purification tablets (check bottle for expiration dates), or by boiling for 10 minutes.
· Sterilize your eating utensils by heat. You can also rinse dishes in purified water that has additional chlorine bleach added to it. (Use 2 1/2 teaspoons bleach per gallon of purified water.)
· Keep your clothing as clean and dry as possible, especially under-clothing and socks.
If, during an emergency situation, you develop vomiting or diarrhea, rest and stop eating solid foods until the symptoms ease up. Take fluids, particularly water, in small amounts at frequent intervals. As soon as can be tolerated, resume eating semi-solid foods. Normal salt intake should be maintained.

Keep Basic Hygiene Supplies Handy
These basic supplies should be kept in your Safe Room, Go Pack and Car.
· Cornstarch
· Fingernail clippers and files
· Sanitary napkins
· Insect repellent
· Toilet paper
· Moistened Towelettes or Baby Wipes
· A few bath towels
· Small hand-held mirror
· Liquid all-purpose soap
· Vaseline Petroleum Jelly
· Liquid Chlorine Bleach
· Ammonia (disinfecting aid)

Emergency Sewage Disposal
Water flush toilets cannot be used when water service is interrupted. The water remaining in the fixture is not sufficient to flush the wastes down the sewer. Clogging may result and your living conditions then become just that much more uncomfortable. Even if water is available, local authorities may ask you not to use flush toilets, wash basins, and other fixtures connected with soil pipes. The sewer mains may be broken or clogged, which would make it impossible to carry off such waste; or water may be needed for fire fighting or other emergencies. It is necessary for every family to know emergency methods of waste disposal in case such conditions arise. Failure to properly dispose of human wastes can lead to epidemics of such diseases as typhoid, dysentery, and diarrhea. At the same time, sewage must be disposed of in ways that will prevent contamination of water supplies used for drinking, cooking, bathing, laundering, and other domestic purposes. Here are simple steps that any family can take to prevent such dangers and discomforts.

Temporary Toilet Provisions Right after an emergency, or during one, you will probably not have the time and tools to prepare a complex emergency sanitation system. If there is a delay of several days in restoring sewage service to your neighborhood, you may find that disposal is a big problem. Your first task is to make some temporary toilet provision for your family, especially the children. Almost any covered metal or plastic container will do. You can use a covered pail, a 5-gallon bucket, or a small kitchen garbage container with a foot operated cover for an emergency toilet. Anything that has a cover and will hold the contents until you can dispose of them will serve for sanitary purposes at first.

Emergency Sewage Storage Keep on the premises at least one extra 10-gallon garbage can or other waterproof container with a tight fitting cover. This should be lined with paper and/or a plastic bag. And the lid should be fastened to the can to prevent its loss. Such a can may be used for the emergency storage of body wastes until the public sewage system can be put back into action, or until other arrangements can be made. Empty your emergency toilet into this storage can as often as necessary. A small amount of household disinfectant should be added after each use. If you live in an apartment, you may not have a large garbage can or room to keep one. In that case, two smaller covered pails or other containers will do just as well.

Solutions for Apartment Dwellers. Persons in city apartments, office buildings, or homes without yards should keep a supply of waterproof paper containers on hand for emergency waste disposal. Where flush toilets cannot be used and open ground is not available for the construction of privies, such disposable containers offer a practical method of emergency waste collection and disposal. Building managers should plan for the collection of such containers and for their final disposal. Before collection, the used containers may be stored in tightly covered garbage cans or other water tight containers fitted with lids. Homemade soil bags for this purpose can be prepared very easily by putting one large grocery bag inside another, and a layer of shredded newspaper or other absorbent material between. You should have sufficient grocery bags on hand for possible emergencies. A supply of old newspapers will come in handy for other sanitary uses also, such as wrapping garbage and lining larger containers. Controlling Odors and InsectsInsecticides and deodorants should be used when necessary to control odors and insects breeding in containers that cannot be emptied immediately.

At least 2 pints of household bleach solution should be kept on hand for disinfecting purposes.

Other Supplies Keep on hand an extra supply of toilet tissue, plus a supply of sanitary napkins. If there is illness in the house that requires rubber sheeting or other special sanitary equipment, make sure that adequate supplies are available. At least a week's accumulation of daily newspapers will come in handy for insulating bedding from floors, and lining clothes against cold, as well as for the sanitary uses already mentioned.

Babies If you have a baby in your home, you may find diaper laundering a problem under emergency conditions. It is best to keep an ample supply of disposable diapers on hand for emergency use. Or, any moisture resistant material can be cut and folded to diaper size and lined with absorbent material

A Safe Room
· Pick a room with few, or if possible, no windows. Higher stories are better because chemical agents sink.
· If possible, pick a room with water, toilet and a phone.
· Set aside plenty of duct tape for sealing, doors,windows and vents.
· Prepare a 72 hour Go Pack and keep it in the room.
· Keep inexpensive breathing filters in the room, rated at N95 or better for each family member.

How to Prepare the Sealed Room
All supplies should already be in the room. To seal a room in a bio-chem emergency, first shut off all air intakes into the house (heat, air, attic fans, ceiling fans, etc.). If your home is heated with gas or uses gas appliances, shut off the gas. Get into the sealed room , and take your gas mask with you if you have one. In the selected room, run sturdy duct tape along any windows where the glass joins the sill, where the sill meets the frame, and over all window seams and joins. Entirely cover the windows with polethylene sheeting, anchoring the sheeting on every side on the wall around the window, and seal the sheeting to the wall thoroughly with duct tape. When all the members of the family have entered the room, complete the sealing of the room by using adhesive tapes between the door and the frame and between the frame and the wall. The space between the door and the floor should be covered with a wet towel. I'd pack that in firmly and seal it with duct tape as well. Leave the front door unlocked, so as to allow rescue units to get into the house if needed. Your room is still not perfectly air tight, but the air intake is quite diminished.

Turn on the radio to get information. Everybody needs to sit absolutely still, against inner walls or with their backs towards the outer walls, heads down on their arms with knees drawn up. Wait for an "All Clear" from the radio or from local municipal rescue/defense..The wait could last for several hours. Ideally, a sealed room has its own emergency filter that blocks particles and purifies the air from toxins. I don't think you can buy any "quick-install devices" that you can simply hook into an open window and rely upon (and you would need one that can be manually powered as well as electrically powered).

Risk Factors for a Bio-Chem Attack:
Avoid crowded and dark, enclosed building interiors that rely heavily on a ventilation system rather than open windows and fresh air. Visit enclosed buildings only when it's necessary, in their off-peak hours. (Remember, as we learned on September 11, our enemies like to make grand displays in very public places. If you are in a crowded, enclosed building, always know where the exits are and your path to reach them. Don't linger; just complete your tasks and leave. Simply being very aware of your immediate environment has always been the first good defense against crime, and terrorists are just another version of criminals.

Potassium Iodide (KI) Information: Recent terrorist events have many people concerned about potential future attacks using radioactive materials. Taking potassium iodide (KI) tablets after an incident involving radioactive materials may or may not limit the risk of damage to a person's thyroid gland from ionizing radiation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has prepared this fact sheet to further explain when KI might be appropriate and what people should consider before making a decision to take KI.

When to take KI Local emergency management officials will tell people when to take KI. If a nuclear incident occurs, officials will have to find out which radioactive substances are present before recommending that people take KI. If radioactive iodine is not present, then taking KI will not protect people. If radioactive iodine is present, then taking KI will help protect a person's thyroid gland from the radioactive iodine. Taking KI will not protect people from other radioactive substances that may be present along with the radioactive iodine.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that KI be taken as soon as the radioactive cloud containing iodine from the explosion is close by. KI may still have some protective effect even if it is taken 3 to 4 hours after exposure to radioactive iodine. Because the radioactive iodine will be present in the initial blast and decays quickly, a single dose of KI may be all that is required. The FDA recommendations on KI can be reviewed on the Web at http://www.fda.gov/cder/guidance/4825fnl.htm.

Forms of KI, and how much should be taken KI comes in tablets of 130 mg. A one-time dose at the levels recommended in this fact sheet is usually all that is required. However, if a person expects to be exposed to radioactive iodine for more than 24 hours, another dose should be taken every 24 hours. People should listen to emergency management officials for recommendations after an incident. According to the FDA,
· Adults should take one 130-mg tablet.
· Children between 3 and 18 years of age should take one-half of a 130-mg tablet (65 mg).
· Children between 1 month and 3 years of age should take one-fourth of a 130-mg tablet (32 mg).
· Infants from birth to 1 month of age should be given one-eighth of a 130-mg tablet (16 mg).
· Women who are breastfeeding should take the adult dose, and their infants should receive the recommended infant dose.
· Children who are approaching adult size (greater than or equal to 150 pounds) should take the adult dose regardless of their age.
KI tablets can be stored for at least 5 years without losing their potency. People should remember that taking a higher dose of KI, or taking KI more often than recommended, will not offer more protection and can cause severe illness and death due to allergic reaction.

How a nuclear incident might cause thyroid damage Some types of radioactive incidents release radioactive iodine. The thyroid gland, which will use any iodine that is in a person's bloodstream, cannot tell the difference between radioactive and nonradioactive forms of iodine. Because of this, the thyroid would rapidly absorb radioactive iodine just as it does iodine from a person's diet. The radioactive iodine releases energy (radiation) that, in high concentrations, can damage the cells of the thyroid gland. In some people, especially young children, this damage can cause thyroid cancer or other diseases of the thyroid within a few years of the exposure.What KI isKI is a salt of iodine. It is one of several ingredients that can be added to table salt to make it iodized. KI has also been approved by the FDA as a nonprescription drug for use as a "blocking agent" to prevent the human thyroid gland from absorbing radioactive iodine. However, KI may not provide people with 100% protection against all radioactive iodine. Its effectiveness will depend on a variety of factors, including when a person takes it, how much iodine is already in the person's thyroid, how fast the person's body processes it, and the amount of radioactive iodine the person is exposed to. Iodized table salt will not provide enough iodine to protect the thyroid and should not be used as a substitute.

Why KI would be important in the event of a nuclear incident? Because the thyroid will rapidly absorb any iodine that is in the body, people may need to take KI tablets soon after an incident that involves radioactive iodine. The KI will saturate the thyroid gland with iodine and help prevent it from absorbing radioactive iodine. However, KI does not prevent the effects of other radioactive elements. Using KI will only protect the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine. It will not protect other parts of the body from radioactive iodine, and it will not protect a person from other radioactive materials that may be released.

Who should or should not take KI when the public is told to do so? Children are the most susceptible to the dangerous effects of radioactive iodine. The FDA and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that children from newborn to 18 years of age all take KI unless they have a known allergy to iodine. Women who are breastfeeding should also take KI, according to the FDA and WHO, to protect both themselves and their breast milk. However, breastfeeding infants should still be given the recommended dosage of KI to protect them from any radioactive iodine that they may breathe in or drink in breast milk.Young adults between the ages of 18 and 40 have a smaller chance of developing thyroid cancer or thyroid disease from exposure to radioactive iodine than do children. However, the FDA and WHO still recommend that people ages 18 to 40 take the recommended dose of KI. This includes pregnant and breast-feeding women, who should take the same dose as other young adults. Adults over the age of 40 have the smallest chance of developing thyroid cancer or thyroid disease after an exposure to radioactive iodine, but they have a greater chance of having an allergic reaction to the high dose of iodine in KI. Because of this, they are not recommended to take KI unless a very large dose of radioactive iodine is expected. People should listen to emergency management officials for recommendations after an incident.

Medical conditions that make it dangerous to take KI The high concentration of iodine in KI can be harmful to some people. People should not take KI if they:
· have ever had thyroid disease (such as hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, or goiter).
· know they are allergic to iodine (as in x-ray dye or shellfish).
· have certain skin disorders (such as dermatitis herpetiformis or urticaria vasculitis).

People should consult their doctor if they are unsure whether or not to take KI.

Dirty Bomb
Because of recent terrorist events, people have expressed concern about the possibility of a terrorist attack involving radioactive materials, possibly through the use of a “dirty bomb,” and the harmful effects of radiation from such an event. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has prepared this fact sheet to help people understand what a dirty bomb is and how it may affect their health.


What people should do following the explosion of a dirty bomb
· Radiation cannot be seen, smelled, felt, or tasted by humans. Therefore, if people are present at the scene of an explosion from a suspected dirty bomb, they will not know whether radioactive materials were involved at the time of the explosion. If people are not too severely injured by the initial blast,they should:
· Leave the immediate area on foot. Do not panic. Do not take public or private transportation such as buses, subways, or cars because if radioactive materials were involved, they may contaminate cars or the public transportation system.
· Go inside the nearest building. Staying inside will reduce people’s exposure to any radioactive material from a dirty bomb that may be on dust at the scene.
· Remove their clothes as soon as possible, place them in a plastic bag, and seal it. Removing clothing will remove most of the contamination caused by external exposure to radioactive materials. Saving the contaminated clothing would allow testing for exposure without invasive sampling.
· Take a shower or wash themselves as best they can. Washing will reduce the amount of radioactive contamination on the body and will effectively reduce total exposure.
· Be on the lookout for information. Once emergency personnel can assess the scene and the damage, they will be able to tell people whether radiation was involved.
· Even if people do not know whether radioactive materials were present, following these simple steps can help reduce their injury from other chemicals that might have been present in the blast.

Taking potassium iodide (KI)
Potassium iodide, also called KI, only protects a person’s thyroid gland from exposure to radioactive iodine. KI will not protect a person from other radioactive materials or protect other parts of the body from exposure to radiation. It must be taken prior to exposure (for example, if people hear that a radioactive cloud is coming their way) or immediately after exposure to be effective. Since there is no way to know at the time of an incident whether radioactive iodine was used in the explosive device, taking KI would probably not be beneficial.Also, KI can be dangerous to some people. Taking KI is not recommended unless there is a risk of exposure to radioactive iodine.


What Types of Terrorist Events Might Involve Radiation?
· Possible terrorist events could involve introducing radioactive material into the food or water supply, using explosives (like dynamite) to scatter radioactive materials (called a “dirty bomb”), bombing or destroying a nuclear facility, or exploding a small nuclear device.
· Although introducing radioactive material into the food or water supply most likely would cause great concern or fear, it probably would not cause much contamination or increase the danger of adverse health effects.
· Although a dirty bomb could cause serious injuries from the explosion, it most likely would not have enough radioactive material in a form that would cause serious radiation sickness among large numbers of people. However, people who were exposed to radiation scattered by the bomb could have a greater risk of developing cancer later in life, depending on their dose.
· A meltdown or explosion at a nuclear facility could cause a large amount of radioactive material to be released. People at the facility would probably be contaminated with radioactive material and possibly be injured if there was an explosion. Those people who received a large dose might develop acute radiation syndrome. People in the surrounding area could be exposed or contaminated.
· Clearly, an exploded nuclear device could result in a lot of property damage. People would be killed or injured from the blast and might be contaminated by radioactive material. Many people could have symptoms of acute radiation syndrome. After a nuclear explosion, radioactive fallout would extend over a large region far from the point of impact, potentially increasing people’s risk of developing cancer over time.

How Can I Protect Myself During a Radiation Emergency?
· After a release of radioactive materials, local authorities will monitor the levels of radiation and determine what protective actions to take.
· The most appropriate action will depend on the situation. Tune to the local emergency response network or news station for information and instructions during any emergency.
· If a radiation emergency involves the release of large amounts of radioactive materials, you may be advised to “shelter in place,” which means to stay in your home or office; or you may be advised to move to another location.
· If you are advised to shelter in place, you should do the following:
· Close and lock all doors and windows.
· Turn off fans, air conditioners, and forced-air heating units that bring in fresh air from the outside. Only use units to recirculate air that is already in the building.
· Close fireplace dampers.
· If possible, bring pets inside.
· Move to an sealed room or basement.
· Keep your radio tuned to the emergency response network or local news to find out what else you need to do.
· If you are advised to evacuate, follow the directions that your local officials provide. Leave the area as quickly and orderly as possible. In addition –
· Take your Go Pack.
· Take pets only if you are using your own vehicle and going to a place you know will accept animals. Emergency vehicles and shelters usually will not accept animals.

How Can Exposure Occur?
· People are exposed to small amounts of radiation every day, both from naturally occurring sources (such as elements in the soil or cosmic rays from the sun), and man-made sources. Man-made sources include some electronic equipment (such as microwave ovens and television sets), medical sources (such as x-rays, certain diagnostic tests, and treatments), and from nuclear weapons testing.
· The amount of radiation from natural or man-made sources to which people are exposed is usually small; a radiation emergency (such as a nuclear power plant accident or a terrorist event) could expose people to small or large doses of radiation, depending on the situation.
· Scientists estimate that the average person in the United States receives a dose of about one-third of a rem per year. About 80% of human exposure comes from natural sources and the remaining 20% comes from man-made radiation sources – mainly medical x-rays.
· Internal exposure refers to radioactive material that is taken into the body through breathing, eating, or drinking.
· External exposure refers to an exposure to a radioactive source outside of our bodies.
· Contamination refers to particles of radioactive material that are deposited anywhere that they are not supposed to be, such as on an object or on a person’s skin.

Health Effects of Radiation Exposure
· Radiation affects the body in different ways, but the adverse health consequences of exposure may not be seen for many years.
· Adverse health effects range from mild effects, such as skin reddening, to serious effect such as cancer and death. These adverse health effects are determined by the amount of radiation absorbed by the body (the dose), the type of radiation, the route of exposure, and the length of time a person is exposed.
· Acute radiation syndrome (ARS), or radiation sickness, is usually caused when a person receives a high dose of radiation to much of the body in a matter of minutes. Survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs and firefighters responding to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant event in 1986 experienced ARS. The immediate symptoms of ARS are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; later, bone marrow depletion may lead to weight loss, loss of appetite, feeling like you have the flu, infection, and bleeding. The survival rate depends on the radiation dose. For those who do survive, full recovery takes from a few weeks to 2 years.
· Children exposed to radiation may be more at risk than adults. Radiation exposure to the unborn child is of special concern because the human embryo or fetus is extremely sensitive to radiation.
· Radiation exposure, like exposure to the sun, is cumulative.

Protecting Against Radiation Exposure

The three basic ways to reduce radiation exposure are through—TIME
· Decrease the amount of time you spend near the source of radiation.DISTANCE
· Increase your distance from a radiation source.SHIELDING
· Increase the shielding between you and the radiation source. Shielding is anything that creates a barrier between people and the radiation source. Depending on the type of radiation, the shielding can range from something as thin as a plate of window glass or as thick as several feet of concrete. Being inside a building or a vehicle can provide shielding from some kinds of radiation.
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This is a cross section of the information on the topic from govermental institutions, the red cross, and seveeral web sites. It is presented here for those interested in the subject. We do not warrant their accuracy. In other words, it is up to you of finding use of the information. We would suggest having enough supply for 3 weeks of both food and water. The minimum for person would be: 21 gallon of water, 2 dozen of canned food, 2 dozen of tuna and similar food. In addition, 2 litter of oil, salt, sugar, multivitamins, 20 # of rise, flash lights, a crank radio, a short wave radio, candles, insect repellents, and 1-gasoline portable cooking lamp (bought at Walmart in the hiking section.) Unless thing get tough, it is better to stay at home and wait until things calm down; probably the road would be very dangerous places: closed supermarkets, no gasoline, no electricity, many hungry people, and the national guard in a state of emergency...We do not want to forget to mention that having some weapons available to defend the family might be a good idea.