Emergency
& First Aid articles - page index
Preparing
for Thunderstorms and Lightning
Some thunderstorms
can be seen approaching, while others hit without warning. It is important
to learn and recognize the danger signs and to plan ahead.
BEFORE
Learn the thunderstorm
danger signs.
-
Dark, towering,
or threatening clouds.
-
Distant lightning
and thunder.
Have disaster supplies
on hand
-
Flashlight with
extra batteries
-
Portable, battery-operated
radio and extra batteries
-
First aid kit and
manual
-
Emergency food
and water
-
Nonelectric can
opener
-
Essential medicines
-
Cash and credit
cards
-
Sturdy shoes
Check for hazards
in the yard.
Dead or rotting
trees and branches can fall during a severe thunderstorm and cause injury
and damage.
Make sure that
all family members know how to respond after a thunderstorm.
Teach family
members how and when to turn off gas, electricity and water.
Teach children
how and when to call 9-1-1, police, fire department, and which radio station
to tune for emergency information.
Severe Thunderstorm
Watches and Warnings
A severe
thunderstorm watch is issued by the National Weather Service when the
weather conditions are such that a severe thunderstorm (damaging winds
58 miles per hour or more, or hail three-fourths of an inch in diameter
or greater) is likely to develop. This is the time to locate a safe place
in the home and tell family members to watch the sky and listen to the
radio or television for more information.
A severe
thunderstorm warning is issued when a severe thunderstorm has been
sighted or indicated by weather radar. At this point, the danger is very
serious and everyone should go to a safe place, turn on a battery-operated
radio or television, and wait for the "all clear" by the authorities.
Learn how to
respond to a tornado and flash flood.
Tornadoes are
spawned by thunderstorms and flash flooding can occur with thunderstorms.
When a "severe thunderstorm warning" is issued, review what actions to
take under a "tornado warning" or a "flash flood warning."
Develop an emergency
communication plan.
In case family
members are separated from one another during a thunderstorm (a real possibility
during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have
a plan for getting back together.
Ask an out-of-state
relative or friend to serve as the "family contact". After a disaster,
it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone knows the name,
address, and phone number of the contact person.
Contact you
local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more
information on thunderstorms and lightning.
DURING
If indoors:
-
Secure outdoor
objects such as lawn furniture that could blow away or cause damage or
injury. Take light objects inside.
-
Shutter windows
securely and brace outside doors.
-
Listen to a battery
operated radio or television for the latest storm information.
-
Do not handle any
electrical equipment or telephones because lightning could follow the wire.
Television sets are particularly dangerous at this time.
-
Avoid bathtubs,
water faucets, and sinks because metal pipes can transmit electricity.
If outdoors:
-
Attempt to get
into a building or car.
-
If no structure
is available, get to an open space an squat low to the ground as quickly
as possible. (If in the woods, find an area protected by low clump of trees--never
stand underneath a single large tree in the open.) Be aware of the potential
for flooding in low-lying areas.
-
crouch with hands
on knees.
-
Avoid tall structures
such as towers, tall trees, fences, telephone lines, or power lines.
-
Stay away from
natural lightning rods such as golf clubs, tractors, fishing rods, bicycles,
or camping equipment.
-
Stay from rivers,
lakes, or other bodies of water.
-
If you are isolated
in a level field or prairie and you feel your hair stand on end (which
indicates that lightning is about to strike), bend forward, putting your
hands on your knees. A position with feet together and crouching while
removing all metal objects is recommended. Do not lie flat on the ground.
If in a car:
-
Pull safely onto
the shoulder of the road away from any trees that could fall on the vehicle.
-
Stay in the car
and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rains subside.
-
Avoid flooded roadways.
Estimating the
Distance from a Thunderstorm
Because light
travels much faster than sound, lightning flashes can be seen long before
the resulting thunder is heard. Estimate the number of miles you are from
a thunderstorm by counting the number of seconds between a flash of lightning
and the next clap of thunder. Divide this number by five.
Important: You
are in danger from lightning if you can hear thunder. Knowing how far away
a storm is does not mean that you're in danger only when the storm is overhead.
Hail
Hail is produced
by many strong thunderstorms. Hail can be smaller than a pea or as large
as a softball and can be very destructive to plants and crops. In a hailstorm,
take cover immediately. Pets and livestock are particularly vulnerable
to hail, so bring animals into a shelter.
AFTER
Check for injuries.
A person who
has been struck by lightning does not carry an electrical charge that can
shock other people. If the victim is burned, provide first aid and call
emergency medical assistance immediately. Look for burns where lightning
entered and exited the body. If the strike cause the victim's heart and
breathing to stop, give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until medical
professionals arrive and take over.
Remember to
help your neighbors who may require special assistance--infants, elderly
people, and people with disabilities.
Report downed
utility wires.
Drive only if
necessary. Debris and washed-out roads may make driving dangerous.
-Amazon
Search Results for Emergency-Amazon
Search Results for First Aid-
First
Aid Only Outdoor First Aid Kit, Softpack, 98 Piece - 1 ea
Preparing
for Tornadoes
When a tornado
is coming, you have only a short amount of time to make life-or-death decisions.
Advance planning and quick response are the keys to surviving a tornado.
BEFORE
Conduct tornado
drills each tornado season.
Designate an
area in the home as a shelter, and practice having everyone in the family
go there in response to a tornado threat.
Discuss with
family members the difference between a "tornado watch" and a "tornado
warning."
Contact your
local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more
information on tornadoes.
Have disaster
supplies on hand.
-
Flashlight and
extra batteries
-
Portable, battery-operated
radio and extra batteries
-
First aid kit and
manual
-
Emergency food
and water
-
Nonelectric can
opener
-
Essential medicines
-
Cash and credit
cards
-
Sturdy shoes
Develop an emergency
communication plan.
In case family
members are separated from one another during a tornado (a real possibility
during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have
a plan for getting back together.
Ask an out-of-state
relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster,
it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family
knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.
Tornado Watches
and Warnings
A tornado
watch is issued by the National Weather Service when tornadoes are
possible in your area. Remain alert for approaching storms. This is time
to remind family members where the safest places within your home are located,
and listen to the radio or television for further developments.
A tornado
warning is issued when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather
radar.
Mobile Homes
Mobile homes
are particularly vulnerable. A mobile home can overturn very easily even
if precautions have been taken to tie down the unit. When a tornado warning
is issued, take shelter in a building with a strong foundation.If shelter
is not available, lie in ditch or low-lying area a safe distance away from
the unit.
Tornado Danger
Signs
Learn these
tornado danger signs:
-
An approaching
cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is
not visible.
-
Before a tornado
hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still.
-
Tornadoes generally
occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm. It is not uncommon to see
clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado.
DURING
If at home:
-
Go at once to the
basement, storm cellar, or the lowest level of the building.
-
If there is no
basement, go to an inner hallway or a smaller inner room without windows,
such as a bathroom or closet.
-
Get away from the
windows.
-
Go to the center
of the room. Stay away from corners because they tend to attract debris.
-
Get under a piece
of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold
on to it.
-
Use arms to protect
head and neck.
-
If in a mobile
home, get out and find shelter elsewhere.
If at work or school:
-
Go to the basement
or to an inside hallway at the lowest level.
-
Avoid places with
wide-span roofs such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, or shopping
malls.
-
Get under a piece
of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table or desk and hold
on to it.
-
Use arms to protect
head and neck.
If outdoors:
-
If possible, get
inside a building.
-
If shelter is not
available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying
area or crouch near a strong building. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
-
Use arms to protect
head and neck.
If in a car:
-
Never try to outdrive
a tornado in a car or truck. Tornadoes can change direction quickly and
can lift up a car or truck and toss it through the air.
-
Get out of the
car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.
-
If there is no
time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying
area away from the vehicle. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
AFTER
Help injured
or trapped persons
. Give first
aid when appropriate. Don't try to move the seriously injured unless they
are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.
-
Turn on radio or
television to get the latest emergency information.
-
Stay out of damaged
buildings. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
-
Use the telephone
only for emergency calls.
-
Clean up spilled
medicines, bleaches, or gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately.
Leave the buildings if you smell gas or chemical fumes.
-
Take pictures of
the damage--both to the house and its contents--for insurance purposes.
Remember to help
your neighbors who may require special assistance--infants, the elderly,
and people with disabilities.
INSPECTING
UTILITIES IN A DAMAGED HOME
Check for gas
leaks--If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window
and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve
if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn
off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
Look for electrical
system damage--If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell
hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit
breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit
breaker, call an electrician first for advice.
Check for sewage
and water lines damage--If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid
using toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the
water company and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water
by melting ice cubes.
Fujita - Pearson
Tornado Scale
F-0:
40-72 mph, chimney damage, tree branches broken
F-1:
73-112 mph, mobile homes pushed off foundation or overturned
F-2:
113-157 mph, considerable damage, mobile homes demolished, trees uprooted
F-3:
158-205 mph, roofs and walls torn down, trains overturned, cars thrown
F-4:
207-260 mph, well-constructed walls leveled
F-5:
261-318 mph, homes lifted off foundation and carried considerable distances,
autos thrown as far as 100 meters
Preparing
for TSUNAMIS
A tsunami is a
series of waves that may be dangerous and destructive. When you hear a
tsunami warning, move at once to higher ground and stay there until local
authorities say it is safe to return home.
BEFORE
Find out if
your home is in a danger area.
Know the height
of your street above sea level and the distance of your street from the
coast. Evacuation orders may be based on these numbers.
Be familiar
with the tsunami warning signs.
Because tsunamis
can be caused by an underwater disturbance or an earthquake, people living
along the coast should consider an earthquake or a sizable ground rumbling
as a warning signal. A noticeable rapid rise or fall in coastal waters
is also a sign that a tsunami is approaching.
Make sure all
family members know how to respond to a tsunami.
Make evacuation
plans.
Pick an inland
location that is elevated. After an earthquake or other natural disaster,
roads in and out of the vicinity may be blocked, so pick more than one
evacuation route.
Teach family
members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.
Teach children
how and when to call 9-1-1, police or fire department, and which radio
station to listen for official information.
Have disaster
supplies on hand.
-
Flashlight and
extra batteries
-
Portable, battery-operated
radio and extra batteries
-
First aid kit and
manual
-
Emergency food
and water
-
Nonelectric can
opener
-
Essential medicines
-
Cash and credit
cards
-
Sturdy shoes
Develop an emergency
communication plan.
In case family
members are separated from one another during a tsunami (a real possibility
during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have
a plan for getting back together.
Ask an out-of-state
relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster,
often it's easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone knows the name,
address, and phone number of the contact person.
Contact your
local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more
information on tsunamis.
DURING
Listen to a
radio or television to get the latest emergency information, and be ready
to evacuate if asked to do so.
If you hear
an official tsunami warning or detect signs of a tsunami, evacuate at once.
Climb to higher ground. A tsunami warning is issued when authorities are
certain that a tsunami threat exists.
Stay away from
the beach.
Never go down
to the beach to watch a tsunami come in. If you can see the wave you are
too close to escape it.
Return home
only after authorities advise it is safe to do so.
A tsunami is
a series of waves. Do not assume that one wave means that the danger over.
The next wave may be larger than the first one. Stay out of the area.
AFTER
Stay tuned to
a battery-operated radio for the latest emergency information.
Help injured
or trapped persons.
Give first
aid where appropriate. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they
are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.
Remember to
help your neighbors who may require special assistance--infants, elderly
people, and people with disabilities.
Stay out of
damaged buildings. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
Enter your home
with caution.
Use a flashlight
when entering damaged buildings. Check for electrical shorts and live wires.
Do not use appliances or lights until an electrician has checked the electrical
system.
Open windows
and doors to help dry the building.
Shovel mud while
it is still moist to give walls and floors an opportunity to dry.
Check food supplies
and test drinking water.
Fresh food that
has come in contact with flood waters may be contaminated and should be
thrown out. Have tap water tested by the local health department.
INSPECTING
UTILITIES IN A DAMAGED HOME
Check for gas
leaks--If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window
and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve
if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn
off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
Look for electrical
system damage--If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell
hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit
breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit
breaker, call an electrician first for advice.
Check for sewage
and water lines damage--If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid
using toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the
water company and avoid the water from the tap. You can obtain safe water
by melting ice cubes.
Preparing
for Volcanic Eruption
Volcanic eruptions
can hurl hot rocks for at least 20 miles. Floods, airborne ash, or noxious
fumes can spread 100 miles or more. If you live near a known volcano, active
or dormant, be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice.
BEFORE
Learn about
your community warning systems.
Be prepared
for these disasters that can be spawned by volcanoes.
-
Earthquakes
-
Flash floods
-
Landslides and
mudflows
-
Thunderstorms
-
Tsunamis
Make evacuation
plans.
You want to
get to high ground away from the eruption. Plan a route out and have a
backup route in mind.
Develop an emergency
communication plan.
In case family
members are separated from one another during a volcanic eruption (a real
possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at
school), have a plan for getting back together.
Ask an out-of-state
relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster,
it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone knows the name,
address, and phone number of the contact person.
Have disaster
supplies on hand.
-
Flashlight and
extra batteries
-
Portable, battery-operated
radio and extra batteries
-
First aid kit and
manual
-
Emergency food
and water
-
Nonelectric can
opener
-
Essential medicinesCash
and credit cards
-
Sturdy shoes
Get a pair of goggles
and a throw-away breathing mask for each member of the household.
Contact your
local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more
information on volcanoes.
Evacuation
Although it
may seem safe to stay at home and wait out an eruption, doing so could
be very dangerous. The rock debris from a volcano can break windows and
set buildings on fire. Stay safe. Follow authorities' instructions and
leave the area before the disaster begins.
DURING
Follow the evacuation
order issued by authorities.
Avoid areas
downwind of the volcano.
If caught indoors:
-
Close all windows,
doors, and dampers.
-
Put all machinery
inside a garage or barn.
-
Bring animals and
livestock into closed shelters.
If trapped outdoors:
-
Seek shelter indoors.
-
If caught in a
rockfall, roll into a ball to protect head.
-
Avoid low-lying
area where poisonous gases can collect and flash floods can be most dangerous.
-
If caught near
a stream, beware of mudflows.
Protect yourself:
-
Wear long sleeved
shirts and pants.
-
Use goggles to
protect eyes.
-
Use a dust-mask
or hold a damp cloth over face to help breathing.
-
Keep car or truck
engines off.
Stay out of the
area.
A lateral blast
of a volcano can travel many miles from the mountain. Trying to watch an
erupting volcano is a deadly idea.
Mudflows
Mudflows are
powerful "rivers" of mud that can move faster than people can walk or run.
Mudflows occur when rain falls through ash-carrying clouds or when rivers
are damed during an eruption. They are most dangerous close to stream channels.
When you approach a bridge, first look upstream. If a mudflow is approaching
or moving beneath the bridge, do not cross the bridge. The power of the
mudflow can destroy a bridge very quickly.
AFTER
Listen to a
battery-powered radio or television for the latest emergency information.
Stay away from
volcanic ashfall.
When outside:
-
Cover your mouth
and nose. A number of victims of the Mount St. Helens volcano died from
inhaling ash.
-
Wear goggles to
protect your eyes.
-
Keep skin covered
to avoid irritation or burns.
If you have a respiratory
ailment, avoid contact with any amount of ash. Stay indoors until local
health officials advise it is safe to go outside.
Avoid driving
in heavy ashfall.
Driving will
stir up more ash that can clog engines and stall vehicles.
Clear roofs
of ashfall.
Ashfall is
very heavy and can cause buildings to collapse.
Remember to
help your neighbors who may require special assistance--infants, elderly
people, and people with disabilities.
If you have
any questions or need assistance please send e-mail to support@insurancesurf.com.
Lifeline
First Aid Auto Emergency Response Road Kit - 46 Pieces
Guardian
04390 15000 Watt Emergency Automatic Home Standby Generator
