WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF A
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENT
- If you witness a hazardous materials accident, spill or leak, call 911, your local emergency notification number or the fire department.
- If you hear a warning signal, turn on your radio or television for further information from the emergency response personnel. Follow all instructions carefully.
- Stay away from the incident site in order to minimize your chances of contamination.
- If you are caught outside during an incident, try to stay upstream, uphill and upwind -- hazardous materials can quickly be transported by water and wind.
- If you are in a motor vehicle, close off ventilation and shut your windows. This will reduce the possibility for contamination or inhaling the hazardous material.
- If you are asked to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Before leaving your home or office, close windows, shut vents, and turn off attic fans to minimize contamination.
- In certain circumstances, you will be requested to stay indoors, rather than evacuate.
- Strictly follow all instructions given by emergency authorities.
- To reduce the possibility of toxic vapors entering your home, seal all entry routes as efficiently as possible. Close and lock the windows and doors. Seal gaps under doorways and windows with wet towels and duct tape.
- Seal any gaps around window air conditioning units, bathroom and kitchen exhaust fan grills and stove and dryer vents with tape and plastic sheeting, wax paper or aluminum wrap.
- Close all fireplace dampers.
- Close as many internal doors as possible in homes or other buildings.
- Turn off all ventilation systems, including furnaces, air conditioning, vents and fans.
- If you suspect that gas or vapors have entered the building, take shallow bretahs through a cloth or towel.
- Remain in protected, interior areas of the building where toxic vapors are reduced, and keep your radio with you.
- Avoid contact with any spilled liquid materials, airborne mist or condensed solid chemical deposit.
- Avoid eating or drinking any food or water which may be contaminated.
- If you learn that you will be sheltered indoors, quickly fill up your bathtub or large containers and turn off the intake valve to your home.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Contact your local fire department, Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), or the Michigan State Police Emergency Management Division at 4000 Collins Road, P.O. Box 30636, Lansing, Michigan 48909, (517) 334-5100.
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