If a large chemical release occurs in your area, what do you do? Protect yourself by means of "evacuation" or "shelter-in-place".

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION: Chemicals play an essential part in our lives.


  • They protect us against diseases as with the use of bleach, cleaners, and medicines.
  • They provide fuel and materials for our vehicles for transportation purposes.
  • Our fabrics, carpets, and furniture are made or coated with chemicals to make us comfortable in our homes and workplaces.

If a chemical escapes its container and presents itself in the environment in a manner for which it was unintended, a potential hazard exists. It is important to know how to protect yourself and others in the event of a chemical emergency. Large scale airborne chemical events produce the most potential for exposure to the general population. To prepare for these potential emergencies, this brochure provides planning information for residents to protect themselves through "evacuation" or "shelter-in-place".

NOTIFICIATION: When a chemical emergency arises, you will be notified by either a door to door contact, instructions given over a loudspeaker, or future availability telephone systems. Radio station 105.5 FM WLJE will provide current emergency instructions and updates.

EVACUATION: Evacuation instructions are given for emergencies that require the movement of people from an area due to potential endangerment of health or life as during intense fires, release of high concentrations of airborne chemicals, or a long duration period of airborne chemicals. When asked to evacuate, gather essential supplies (utilize checklist) and follow the instructions provided.

Evauation Supply Checklist:

  • Clothing
  • Eyeglasses or Contact Lens care
  • Portable Radio
  • Personal Identification
  • Baby Needs
  • Flashlight
  • Checkbook
  • Credit Cards
  • Blankets
  • Dentures
  • Extra Batteries
  • Prescription Medicine
  • Cellular Telephone
  • Prepare house for evacuation by turning off lights, electrical appliances (leave refrigerator and freezer on), and ventilation systems.
  • Use telephone minimally. Lines should be open to receive important incoming calls.
  • Check on neighbors and friends. Assist as needed.
  • Try to carpool with neighbors to use the least number of vehicles as possible.
  • Inform key loved ones where you are going.
  • When possible, pets or animals should be sheltered in house or barn if you cannot take them with you. Pets may not be allowed at shelters; make arrangements with friends or veterinarians as alternatives.
  • Listen to 105.5 FM radio for current information which includes shelters and traffic routes.
  • Do not eat or drink food or water that may have been exposed to contaiminant.
  • If a person becomes exposed to hazardous chemicals, contact local authorities and dial 911.


Temporary Breathing Protection Outside of Shelter:

Once you have been notified of a chmical emergency, you may need to temporarily move around outside.

  • Protect yourself by covering your nose and mouth with a damp handkerchief that has been folded over upon itself several times.
  • Full body coverage clothing can provide an extra layer of skin protection.
  • If you cannot find shelter, walk, drive, or move yourself crosswind. Crosswind means the wind will be blowing from one of your sides, left or right, but not from your front or back.
  • When driving, close windows, and shut off the ventilation system exchanging air from the outside.


Post Evacuation:

Do not return home until instructed by authorities. Upon returning home, open house for ventilation.

Remember:

Do not attempt to pick up children from school or child care facilities. They will be evacuated or sheltered-in-place at the school or child care facility.

Stay calm and level-headed in emergency situations. Panic will only increase the risk of accidents which could result in injury, property damage, or fatality.

SHELTER-IN-PLACE:

A large chemical release to the environment creates potential hazards and harmful effects to those exposed. Accidental chemical releases to the air are a primary concern to the immediate public. Releases to the air allow for rapid chemical movement and extensive coverage.

Airborne chemicals can exist in at least three forms: gas, liquid and solid. The gaseous chemicals travel the quickest because of their low density and higher energy state. The liquids and solids have higher densities and in small droplets and particles can easily be moved through the air.

The two most common routes of chemical entry into the body are inhalation and skin absorption. Released chemicals can be inhaled into the lungs and depending on the chemical properties can burn, asphyxiate, absorb into the blood stream or cause other damage to recipient. Skin absorption can allow entrance of chemical into the bloodstream and or damage the skin.

Shelter-in-place is a protective action that can be requetsed by the local authorities to the community. Shelter-in-place can be defined as a procedure that basically requires residents to seek shelter, close doors and windows, and seal vents, doors and windows. This provides a physical protective barrier from the airborne chemical and contained non-contaminated air. Studies have shown that even poorly sealed buildings offer protection from large exposure to gas.

Shelter-in-place instructions are given in emergencies when risk to chemical exposure will adversly affect health or life due to the known or unknown properties of the chemical, volume released, and rapid movement of chemical through the air. Chemical emergencies requiring shelter-in-place usually only occur over a short length of time such as 3-4 hours.

When asked to shelter-in-place, proceed to home or nearest building, shut down ventilation systems, seal doors and windows, and remain indoors until instructed by authorities. Preplan for shelter-in-place by packing supplies into kits and predesignating an above ground room with the fewest doors and windows to remain during the emergency.

Shelter-In-Place Supply Checklist:

  • Duct Tape
  • Flashlight
  • Bottled Water
  • Eyeglasses or Contact Lens Care
  • Clear Plastic or Plastic Trash Bags
  • Radio or Television
  • Non-perishable Food
  • Towels
  • Can Opener
  • Extra Batteries
  • Dentures
  • Prescription Medicine
  • Telephone or Cellular Telephone


Shelter-In-Place Instructions:

  • Quickly enter your house or shelter and bring pets inside.
  • Close doors, windows and fire dampers.
  • Turn off any ventilation systems (any system bringing air in from outside).
  • Place wet, clean towels under doors.
  • Using the clear plastic (or plastic trash bags) and duct tape, place plastic cover over windows, bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, stove and dryer vents and tape edges.
  • Gather family (people) in predesignated above ground room with supplies and remain until authorities indicate conditions are safe.
  • Minimize telephone use to allow for important incoming calls.
  • Listen to 105.5 FM radio for instructions and information updates.
  • Do not eat or drink food or water that may have been exposed to contaminant.
  • If a person becomes exposed to hazarouds chemicals, contact local authorities and dial 911.