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KatrinaSafetyTips.sPubDate = "9/21/2005 8:26:59 PM GMT";
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KatrinaSafetyTips.appHeader = "Fact File|Staying safe after a hurricane";
KatrinaSafetyTips.appDeck = "Tips for protecting your health in the wake of a storm ";
KatrinaSafetyTips.appFooter = "Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Federal Emergency Management Agency; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Associated Press";
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KatrinaSafetyTips[i++] = new Array("","Water hazards","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
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Hurricanes, especially if accompanied by flooding, can contaminate the public water supply. Drink only bottled water until tap water has been tested and found to be safe. Do not use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, or make ice.
Practice basic hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and bottled water or water that has been boiled or disinfected. Wash your hands before preparing food or eating, after toilet use, after participating in clean-up activities, and after handling articles contaminated with floodwater or sewage.
Boil or treat water before use in order to kill harmful bacteria and parasites. Bringing water to a rolling boil for 1 minute will kill most organisms.
Water may be treated with chlorine or iodine tablets, or by mixing six drops (1/8 teaspoon) of unscented, ordinary household chlorine bleach (5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite) per gallon of water. Mix the solution thoroughly and let stand for about 30 minutes. Be aware that this treatment will not kill parasitic organisms.
For infants, use only pre-prepared canned baby formula. Do not use powdered formulas unless bottled water is available. Using treated water to mix formula can harm infants.
If your well has been flooded, it needs to be tested and disinfected after the storm passes and the floodwaters recede. Questions about testing should be directed to your local or state health department.";
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Your refrigerator will keep foods cool for about four hours without electrical power if it is unopened. If possible, add block or dry ice to your refrigerator if the electricity will be off longer than four hours.
Thawed food can usually be eaten if it is still “refrigerator cold,” or re-frozen if it still contains ice crystals. Throw away perishable foods (including meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers) that have been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours or more.
Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with contaminated floodwater. To be safe, remember, “When in doubt, throw it out.” Discard any food that has an unusual odor, color, or texture.
Undamaged, commercially canned foods can be saved if you remove the can labels, thoroughly wash the cans, and then disinfect them with a solution consisting of one cup of bleach in five gallons of water before opening.
Food containers with screw-caps, snap-lids, crimped caps (soda bottles), twist caps, flip tops, snap-open, and home-canned foods should be discarded if they have come into contact with floodwater because they cannot be disinfected.";
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Clean all cuts and open wounds with soap and clean water, and apply antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. If an infection develops, seek immediate medical attention.
To avoid drowning, stay away from moving water even if you are a good swimmer. Do not drive vehicles or other equipment into water if depth is unknown. If possible, wear a life jacket and always stay near a buddy.
Wear protective clothing such as heavy shoes, hard hats, goggles and gloves when working in flooded areas.
Avoid contact with equipment that could potentially contain hazardous materials, such as tanks, drums, pipes and household equipment. If you come into contact with pesticides, propane or other hazardous chemicals, thoroughly wash exposed skin areas and seek medical care if irritation or other symptoms develop.
Be cautious of wild or stray animals. They may be confused or disoriented, and could be dangerous. Carcasses of dead animals should be disposed of as quickly as possible to avoid contaminating water and spreading disease.
To protect against mosquito bites that could transmit West Nile virus, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks. Also, apply insect repellent that contains DEET or Picaridin.";
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Expect some anger, mild depression, anxiety or sleeplessness, but seek professional help if you feel overwhelmed.
Try to incorporate as many of your normal activities into your day as possible. This is especially important for children, to help calm their fears.
Don’t go it alone. Turn to family, friends and other social supports for help.
Tell your children that it is alright if they feel upset about what’s happening. Encourage them to talk about their feelings.";
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Only attempt to return home when local officials have announced that it is safe to do so. Residents trying to return home before an evacuation order has been lifted may put themselves in danger and interfere with emergency response efforts.
Stay away from damaged buildings until they have been examined for structural problems and declared safe. Assume all stairs, floors and roofs are unsafe until proven otherwise. If you hear shifting sounds or loud creaks, leave the building immediately since it could be about to collapse.
To avoid electrocution, never touch a fallen power line. If electrical circuits and equipment have gotten wet or are near water, turn the power off at the main breaker or fuse on the service panel.
Don’t use a charcoal grill, camp-stove or generator indoors or attempt to heat your house with a gas oven. Seek immediate medical attention if you feel dizzy or otherwise suspect carbon-monoxide poisoning.
Try to dry out the building as quickly as possible by opening doors and windows, and using fans if electricity is available. Fix any leaks in roofs, walls or plumbing. Throw away items that cannot be dried quickly, such as carpet and upholstered furniture.
To avoid exhaustion and other stress-related conditions, set priorities for clean-up tasks and pace yourself. Drink plenty of clean water to avoid dehydration and resume a normal sleep schedule as soon as possible.";
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