After an Emergency
After an emergency is over, there is still a great potential for danger. When you plan what you will do before and during a disaster, be sure to include a plan for afterward as well. What you do next can save your life and the lives of others:
- Remain calm. Assist family members or neighbors who may need help.
- Check the area around you for safety. In the case of biological, chemical or radiological threats, listen for instructions on local radio or television stations about safe places to go.
- Some natural hazards, like severe storms or earthquakes, may recur in the form of new storms or aftershocks over the next several days. Continue to take safety precautions.
- Stay tuned to your local emergency station and follow the advice of trained professionals. Information may change rapidly after a widespread disaster, so continue to listen regularly for updates. If the power is still out, listen to a battery-powered radio, television or car radio.
- Wash small wounds with soap and water. To help prevent infection of small wounds, use bandages and replace them if they become soiled, damaged or waterlogged.
- Unless told to evacuate, avoid roads to allow emergency vehicles access.
- Avoid using the telephone (cellular or landlines) if a large number of homes in your area have been affected by a disaster. Emergency responders need to have the telephone lines available to coordinate their response. During the immediate post-disaster time period, only use the telephone to report life-threatening conditions and to call your out-of-town emergency contact.
- Turn off sensitive electrical equipment such as computers, VCRs and televisions to prevent damage when electricity is restored. You should also turn off major electrical and gas appliances that were on when the power went off to help prevent power surges when electricity is restored.
- Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep in cold. The Center for Disease Control has some more information on food and water safety after a disaster.
- Do not use the stove to heat your home — this can cause a fire or fatal gas leak.
- Use extreme caution when driving. If traffic signals are out, treat each signal as a stop sign — come to a complete stop at every intersection and look before you proceed.
- Do not call 911 to ask about a power outage or other recovery or informational questions. Even in or after a disaster 911 should be used for emergencies only. In case of a power outage, use battery-operated equipment to listen to news and radio stations for updates.