New CDC terrorism site offers practical tips, lists
New CDC terrorism site offers practical tips, lists
Mental health, water, and yes, duct tape
As if we needed any further evidence that terrorism is a daily reality now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created a new web site on terrorism that offers mental health advice and a detailed supplies checklist.
"No one who experiences a terrorist event is left untouched, whether they are directly affected, live in the affected area, have friends or family who are affected, or are only exposed to media coverage of the event," the CDC said. "Even if a terrorist act produces little physical damage, it can bring fear, confusion, and uncertainty into everyday life. It is important to understand that strong emotional reactions to such an event are normal, but people are resilient, able to recover from difficult experiences."
The site includes guidance for various groups of people, including seniors, parents/caregivers, and children. A disaster supplies kit listing basic items that could be needed includes:
- Water —three gallons for each person who would use the kit and an additional four gallons per person or pet for use if you are confined to your home.
- Food —a three-day supply in the kit and at least an additional four-day supply per person or pet for use at home. (You may want to consider stocking a two-week supply of food and water in your home.)
- Items for infants —including formula, diapers, bottles, pacifiers, powdered milk, and medications not requiring refrigeration.
- Items for seniors, disabled people, or anyone with serious allergies —including special foods, denture items, extra eyeglasses, hearing aid batteries, prescription and nonprescription medications that are regularly used, inhalers, and other essential equipment.
- Kitchen accessories —manual can opener; mess kits or disposable cups, plates, and utensils; utility knife; sugar and salt; aluminum foil and plastic wrap; re-sealable plastic bags.
- A portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra, fresh batteries.
- Several flashlights and extra, fresh batteries.
- A first-aid kit.
- One complete change of clothing and footwear for each person — including sturdy work shoes or boots, raingear, and other items adjusted for the season, such as hats and gloves, thermal underwear, sunglasses, dust masks.
- Blankets or a sleeping bag for each person.
- Sanitation and hygiene items —shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, comb and brush, lip balm, sunscreen, contact lenses and supplies and any medications regularly used, toilet paper, towelettes, soap, hand sanitizer, liquid detergent, feminine supplies, plastic garbage bags (heavy-duty) and ties (for personal sanitation uses), medium-sized plastic bucket with tight lid, disinfectant, household chlorine bleach.
- Other essential items —paper, pencil, needles, thread, small A-B-C-type fire extinguisher, medicine dropper, whistle, emergency preparedness manual.
- Entertainment —including games and books, favorite dolls, and stuffed animals for small children.
- A map of the area marked with places you could go and their telephone numbers.
- An extra set of keys and IDs —including keys for cars and any properties owned and copies of driver’s licenses, passports, and work identification badges.
- Cash and coins and copies of credit cards.
- Copies of medical prescriptions.
- Matches in a waterproof container.
- A small tent, compass, and shovel.
Pack the items in easy-to-carry containers, label the containers clearly, and store them where they would be easily accessible. Duffel bags, backpacks, and covered trash receptacles are good choices for containers. In a disaster situation, you may need access to your disaster kit quickly, whether you are sheltering at home or evacuating. Following a disaster, having the right supplies can help your household endure home confinement or evacuation. Make sure the needs of everyone who would use the kit are covered, including infants, seniors, and pets. It’s good to involve whoever is going to use the kit, including children, in assembling it.
- Additional supplies for shelter-in-place.
In the unlikely event that chemical or radiological hazards cause officials to advise people in a specific area to "shelter-in-place" in a sealed room, households should have in the room they have selected for this purpose:
- A roll of duct tape (10 mm thick) and scissors.
- Plastic sheeting pre-cut to fit shelter-in-place room openings.
Ten square feet of floor space per person will provide sufficient air to prevent carbon dioxide buildup for up to five hours. Local officials are unlikely to recommend the public shelter in a sealed room for more than two to three hours because the effectiveness of such sheltering diminishes with time as the contaminated outside air gradually seeps into the shelter.
(Editor’s note: To view the web site go to www.redcross.org/preparedness/cdc_english/CDC.asp.)
As if we needed any further evidence that terrorism is a daily reality now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created a new web site on terrorism that offers mental health advice and a detailed supplies checklist.Subscribe Now for Access
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