Chemical Emergencies
Chemicals Are an Important Part of life
Chemicals are a natural and important part of our
environment. Even though we often don't think about it, we
use chemicals every day. Chemicals help keep our food
fresh and our bodies clean. They help our plants grow and
fuel our cars. And chemicals make it possible for us to live
longer, healthier lives.
Under certain conditions, chemicals can be poisonous or
have a harmful effect on your health. Some chemicals
which are safe, and even helpful in small amounts, can be
harmful in larger quantities or under certain conditions.
Chemical accidents do happen . . . at home and in the
community, and the American Red Cross wants you to be
prepared.
How You May Be Exposed to a Chemical Back to Top
You may be exposed to a chemical in three ways:
1.Breathing the chemical
2.Swallowing contaminated food, water, or
medication
3.Touching the chemical, or coming into contact with
clothing or things that have touched the chemical.
Remember, you may be exposed to chemicals even though
you may not be able to see or smell anything unusual.
Chemical Accidents Can Be Prevented Back to Top
Many people think of chemicals as only those substances
used in manufacturing processes. But chemicals are found
everywhere--in our kitchens, medicine cabinets,
basements, and garages. In fact, most chemical accidents
occur in our own homes. And they can be prevented.
Children and Poisoning Back to Top
The most common home chemical emergencies involve
small children eating medicines. Experts in the field of
chemical manufacturing suggest taking hazardous materials
out of sight could eliminate up to 75 percent of all
poisoning of small children.
Keep all medicines, cosmetics, cleaning products, and
other household chemicals out of sight and out of reach of
children. If your child should eat or drink a non-food
substance, find any containers immediately and take them
to the phone. Call the Poison
Control Center or
Emergency Medical Services (EMS), or 9-1-1, if you
have it in your area, or call the operator giving this
information. Follow their instructions carefully. Often the
first aid advice found on containers may not be
appropriate. So, do not give anything by mouth until you
have been advised by medical professionals.
Home Product Precautions Back to Top
Other home accidents can result from trying to improve the
way a product works by adding one substance to another,
not following directions for use of a product, or by
improper storage or disposal of a chemical.
The first precaution you can take is to avoid mixing
common household chemical products. Some
combinations of these products, such as ammonia and
bleach, can create toxic gases.
A second important precaution is to always read the
directions before using a new product. Some products
should not be used in a small confined space to avoid
inhaling dangerous vapors. Other products should not be
used without gloves and eye protection to help prevent the
chemical from touching your body. Read and follow the
directions.
Another effective way to protect yourself and your family
is to store chemical products properly. Non-food products
should be stored tightly closed in their original containers
so you can always identify the contents of each container
and how to properly use the product.
Never smoke while using household chemicals. Don't use
hair spray, cleaning solutions, paint products, or pesticides
near the open flame of an appliance, pilot light, lighted
candle, fireplace, wood burning stove, etc. Although you
may not be able to see or smell them, vapor particles in the
air could catch fire or explode.
If you should spill a chemical, clean it up immediately with
some rags, being careful to protect your eyes and skin.
Allow the fumes in the rags to evaporate outdoors in a safe
place, then dispose of them by wrapping them in a
newspaper and then placing them in a sealed plastic bag.
Dispose of these materials with your trash. If you don't
already have one, buy a fire extinguisher that is labeled for
A, B, and C class fires and keep it handy.
Buy only as much of a chemical as you think you will use.
If you have product left over, try to give it to someone
who will use it. Take care to dispose of it properly.
Improper disposal can result in harm to yourself or
members of your family, accidentally contaminate our local
water supply, or harm other people.
It is also important to dispose of products properly to
preserve our environment and protect wildlife. Plus, some
products can be recycled and further protect our
environment.
Many household chemicals can be taken to your local
household hazardous waste collection facility. Many
facilities accept pesticides, fertilizers, household cleaners,
oil-based paints, drain and pool cleaners, antifreeze, and
brake fluid. If you have questions about how to dispose of
a chemical, call the facility or the environmental or
recycling agency to learn the proper method of disposal.
Family Disaster Plan Back to Top
Making a Family Disaster Plan will help each
family
member to stay calm in an emergency. But most important,
planning ahead can save the lives of the people you love.
The plan should include what task each family member is
responsible for during an emergency, where supplies are
kept, how family members will let one another know
where they are going if they are evacuated, and where
everyone will meet when the disaster is over. A brochure
describing how to make a Family Disaster Plan is
available
from your local Red Cross
chapter.
Major Chemical Emergencies Back to Top
A major chemical emergency is an accident that releases a
hazardous amount of a chemical into the environment.
Accidents can happen underground, on railroad tracks or
highways, and at manufacturing plants. These accidents
sometimes result in a fire or explosion, but many times you
cannot see or smell anything unusual.
How You May Be
Notified of a Major
Chemical Emergency
In the event of a major chemical emergency, you will be
notified by the authorities. To get your attention, a siren
could sound, you may be called by telephone, or
emergency personnel may drive by and give instructions
over a loudspeaker. Officials could even come to your
door.
Listen carefully to radio or television emergency alert
stations (EAS), and strictly follow instructions. Your life
could depend on it.
You Will Be Told:
The type of health hazard
The area affected
How to protect yourself
Evacuation routes (if necessary)
Shelter locations
Type and location of medical facilities
And the phone numbers to call if you need extra
help.
Do not call the telephone company, and do not call EMS,
9-1-1, or the operator for information. Dial these numbers
only for a possible life-threatening emergency.
Shelter in Place Back to Top
One of the basic instructions you may be given in a
chemical emergency is to "shelter in place". This is a
precaution aimed to keep you and your family safe while
remaining in your home. If you are told to shelter in place,
take your children and pets indoors immediately.
While gathering your family, you can provide a minimal
amount of protection to your breathing by covering your
mouth and nose with a damp cloth.
Close all windows in your home.
Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning
systems
Close the fireplace damper
Go to an above-ground room (not the basement) with the
fewest windows and doors.
Take your Family Disaster Supplies Kit with you.
Wet some towels and jam them in the crack under the
doors.
Tape around doors, windows, exhaust fans or vents. Use
the plastic garbage bags to cover windows, outlets, and
heat registers.
If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the
window shades, blinds, or curtains. To avoid injury, stay
away from the windows.
Stay in the room and listen to your radio until you are told
all is safe or you are told to evacuate.
Evacuation Back to Top
Authorities may decide to evacuate an area for your
protection. Again, it is important to stay calm, listen
carefully and follow all instructions.
If you are told to evacuate, listen to your radio to make
sure the evacuation order applies to you and to understand
if you are to evacuate immediately or if you have time to
pack some essentials. Do not use your telephone.
If you are told to evacuate immediately:
Take your Family Disaster Supplies Kit and
medications
Close and lock your windows
Shut off all vents
Lock the door
Move quickly and calmly
If the authorities tell you to evacuate because of a possible
chemical emergency, take your Family Disaster
Supplies Kit
A change of clothing for each member of the family
Medication, eyeglasses, hearing aids or dentures, or things
like canes and walkers
Personal items such as toothbrushes, deodorant, etc.
Items for your baby such as diapers, formula, or baby
food
Books, puzzles or cards and games for entertainment.
Do not assume that a shelter will have everything you
need. In most cases, the shelters will provide only
emergency items such as meals, cots, and blankets.
You don't need to turn off your refrigerator or freezer, but
you should turn off all other appliances and lights before
locking your home as you leave.
Check on neighbors to make sure they have been notified,
and offer help to those with disabilities or other special
needs. If you need a ride, ask a neighbor. If no neighbor is
available to help you, listen to the emergency broadcast
station for further instructions.
Take only one car to the evacuation site.
Close your car windows and air vents and turn off the
heater or air conditioner.
Don't take shortcuts because a shortcut may put you in the
path of danger. For your safety, follow the exact route you
are told to take.
Emergency Procedures for School Children
In an emergency, your children may be sheltered in place
or evacuated from school. If protective actions are being
taken at your children's school, do not go to the school.
School personnel are trained to handle emergencies.
Do not call your child's school. You could tie up a phone
line that is needed for emergency communications.
For further information, listen to local emergency radio and
TV stations to learn when and where you can pick up your
children.
Chemical Poisoning Back to Top
There are several symptoms of chemical poisoning
whether by swallowing, touching, or breathing:
Difficulty breathing
Changes in skin color
Headache or blurred vision
Dizziness
Irritated eyes, skin, throat
Unusual behavior
Clumsiness or lack of coordination
Stomach cramps or diarrhea
If you think you have been exposed to a toxic chemical,
call the poison control center, EMS, or 9-1-1, or the
operator, whichever applies to your area.
If you see or smell something that you think may be
dangerous, or find someone who has been overcome with
toxic vapors, your first job is to make sure that you don't
become a victim. If you remain in a dangerous area and
become injured or unconscious, you cannot help yourself
or any victims.
Because chemical poisoning can be a life-threatening
emergency:
1.Send someone to call EMS, immediately.
2.Tell the operator the location of the emergency and
the phone number from where you are calling.
3.Describe what has happened, how many people are
involved, and what is being done to help.
4.Stay on the phone until the operator tells you to
hang up.
If you are trained in CPR or first aid, and feel confident
that you are not in danger, check the person for
life-threatening injuries. Administer appropriate treatment,
and then deal with the chemical injuries.
If you have not recently taken a course in CPR or first aid,
contact your local Red Cross
for course information and
schedules.
First Aid Treatment for Chemical Burns Back to Top
A chemical burn can be minor or life threatening, but
proper treatment can reduce the chance of infection and
the damage caused by contact with the chemical.
Remove any affected clothing or jewelry from the injury.
Use lots of cool running water to flush the chemical from
the skin until emergency help arrives. The running water
will dilute the chemical fast enough to prevent the injury
from getting worse.
Use the same treatment for eye burns and remove any
contact lenses. Be careful to flush the eye from the nose
outward.
If no large amount of clean water is available, gently brush
the chemical off the skin and away from the victim and
you.
If the chemical is on the face, neck, or shoulders, ask the
victim to close his or her eyes before brushing off the
chemical.
Cover the wound very loosely with a dry, sterile or clean
cloth so that the cloth will not stick to the wound. Do not
put any medication on the wound. Seek medical attention
immediately.
If you believe you have been contaminated with a
chemical, call the Poison Control Center, EMS, 9-1-1, or
the operator immediately. If medical help is not
immediately available, remove your clothing starting from
the top and working your way down to your socks. Take
care not to touch your contaminated clothing to your bare
skin. Place your clothing in a plastic bag so it cannot
contaminate other people or things. Take a thorough
shower to wash any chemical away. Re-dress in clean
clothing and go for medical help at your first opportunity
Who Helps in a Chemical Emergency Back to Top
There are many organizations that help the community in
an emergency, such as police, fire, and sheriff
departments, the American Red Cross, and government
agencies. All these groups coordinate their activities
through the local office of emergency management. In
many areas there are local Hazardous Materials, or
Haz-Mat Teams, who are trained to respond to chemical
accidents. In the event of a chemical emergency, it is very
important that you follow the instructions of these highly
trained professionals. They know best how to protect you
and your family
Important Points To Remember Back to Top
1.Chemicals are everywhere. They are an important
part of life.
2.The most common chemical accidents occur in our
own homes and can be prevented.
3.The best ways to avoid chemical accidents are to
read and follow the directions for use, storage, and
disposal of the product.
4.Don't mix products, especially household cleaning
products.
5.Develop a Family Disaster Plan and pack a
Family Disaster Supplies Kit.
6.In the event of an emergency, follow the instructions
of the authorities carefully. Listen to your emergency
broadcast stations on radio and TV.
7.Use your phone only in life-threatening emergencies,
and then call the Poison Control
Center, EMS,
9-1-1, or the operator immediately.
8.If you are told to "shelter in place", go inside, close
all windows and vents and turn off all fans, heating
or cooling systems. Take family members and pets
to a safe room, seal windows and doors, and listen
to emergency broadcast stations for instructions.
9.If you are told to evacuate immediately, take your
Family Disaster Supplies Kit. Pack only the bare
essentials, such as medications, and leave your
home quickly. Follow the traffic route authorities
recommend. Don't take short cuts on the way to the
shelter.
10.If you find someone who appears to have been
shelter.
10.If you find someone who appears to have been
injured from chemical exposure, make sure you are
not in danger before administering first aid.
11.And lastly, remember, the best way to protect
yourself and your family is to be prepared.
Important telephone numbers emergency medical
service: 9-1-1
If an accident involving hazardous materials occurs, you
will be notified by the authorities as to what steps to take.
You may hear a siren, be called by telephone, or
emergency personnel may drive by and give instructions
over a loudspeaker. Officials could even come to your
door. If you hear a warning signal, you should go indoors
and listen to a local
Emergency Alert System (EAS)
station for emergency instructions from county or state
officials. Ask your local office of emergency management
or Red Cross chapter
which stations carry official
messages in your community.
More information is available from your local Red Cross
chapter. Ask also to see the video "Home Chemical Safety
and Emergency Procedures" (ARC 5045V).
To get copies of American Red Cross Community
Disaster Education materials, contact your local
Red Cross chapter.
Back to Top
© American Red Cross