Find out about local alerts and warnings by contacting your local emergency management or visiting their website.

Make A PLAN

Hazardous Materials

  • WHERE

    HARMFUL CHEMICALS

    are found in fertilizers, window cleaners and LCD flat-screen TVs

  • THREAT

    TERRORISTS

    can use common chemicals to create weapons

  • DISPOSAL

    PROPER DISPOSAL

    of chemicals can keep you and neighbors safe and healthy

  • DANGER

    NEVER SMOKE

    while using household chemicals

HOME, SAFE HOME

Home is where the heart is – it’s also where the bleach, ammonia and paint thinner lie and wait to cause unintended accidents. In fact, most chemical accidents occur in homes.

It’s time to get down and dirty with your cleaners and other potentially poisonous concoctions. Properly dispose of what you don’t need and store what you do in a safe, childproof location.

The good news is, with a little planning and knowledge, most home emergencies can be prevented.

PREPARING

For a Chemical Emergency

  • HOME

    DESIGNATE
    SHELTER

    Identify an internal room where you can shelter-in-place and protect yourself from contaminated air

  • SAFETY

    READ
    INSTRUCTIONS

    Read the emergency instructions on chemical containers to help you understand the threats they may pose. Always use chemicals in well-ventilated areas. Avoid mixing common household chemical products like ammonia and bleach which generate toxic fumes.

  • STORE

    SAFELY
    DISPOSE

    Always store chemicals in a safe place that is out of reach of children and properly dispose of them. Contact your city to find out if they have a special disposal program.

  • PREPARE

    GET

    Make sure your emergency supply kit is ready. Program the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 into your phone in case of emergencies.

Take the Quiz

  • Question 1

    Is it okay to dispose of common household chemicals in your household trash receptacle?

    Correct!

    Chemicals should never go down the drain

    Incorrect

    This has the potential to contaminate the water table

  • Question 2

    Mixing common household chemical products (ammonia and bleach) is safe and will not generate toxic fumes.

    Correct!

    Chemical Reactions are hard to contain and predict

    Incorrect

    Chemical Reactions are hard to contain and predict

  • Your Results

    0 Correct, 0 Wrong

  • RISK

    microscopic germs

    and/or toxins introduced into the air

  • THREAT

    THE INTENTION

    of making hundreds of thousands of people sick at once

  • DAMAGE

    FOOD SUPPLY

    such as crops and livestock can be damaged by toxic germs

  • EXAMPLES

    SMALLPOX, ANTHRAX

    and BOTULISM are examples of biological agents

PREPARING

for a biological emergency

  • PREPARE

    GET
    READY

    Make sure your emergency supply kit is ready

  • LEARN

    SEEK
    INFORMATION

    Educate yourself about biological agents and how they may affect you

  • SAFETY

    DESIGNATE
    SHELTER

    Follow directions from officials about sheltering-in-place or evacuating

  • AVOID

    NON-PRESCRIBED
    MEDICATIONS

    Do not stockpile or take antibiotics without a medical prescription. Taking medications that are not prescribed for you can be harmful or lessen their effectiveness later if and when they’re needed.

Take the Quiz

  • Question 1

    When sheltering-in-place, seal all cracks around the doors and any vents with plastic sheeting and duct tape.

    Correct!

    This will not seal the toxic fumes

    Incorrect

    This will not seal the toxic fumes

  • Question 2

    Examples of biological agents include anthrax, botulism and...

    Correct!

    Smallpox cannot be treated like Influenza

    Incorrect

    Smallpox cannot be treated like Influenza

  • Your Results

    0 Correct, 0 Wrong

  • ELECTRICITY

    15% USED

    in the United States comes from nuclear power plants

  • ACCIDENTS

    EMERGENCIES

    are often caused by an accident

  • TERRORISTS

    A HOSTILE COUNTRY

    could possibly use a nuclear weapon or a “dirty bomb”

  • TIME

    RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

    become less radioactive over time

PREPARING

for a nuclear/radiological emergency

  • LISTEN

    OUTDOOR
    WARNINGS

    If you live near a nuclear plant, like Comanche Peak near Glen Rose, pay attention to the Outdoor Warning System sirens that may be used to alert you of a problem.

  • SAFETY

    MINIMIZE

    In case of a nuclear spill or attack, determine how you can minimize your exposure to radioactive material. Minimizing the length of your exposure will reduce risk of harm.

  • DISTANCE

    GET

    Put as much distance between yourself and the source of the radiation as possible

  • SHIELDING

    SAFE
    PLACE

    Put as much thick material between yourself and the radiation as possible. Try to stay indoors.

Take the Quiz

  • Question 1

    You’re jogging outside and there is a nuclear power plant explosion. What should you do?

    Correct!

    You are more likely to survive in shelter than being out in the open

    Incorrect

    You are more likely to survive in shelter than being out in the open

  • Question 2

    What happens to radioactive materials over time?

    Correct!

    Radiation deteriorates over time

    Incorrect

    Radiation deteriorates over time

  • Your Results

    0 Correct, 0 Wrong

  • Make a Plan

    A little preparation could protect your life and the lives of those around you. It only takes a few minutes to develop a plan. When finished, you'll have a pocket-size emergency plan at hand.

  • Build a Kit

    Remember how long it took to pack for your last vacation? The last thing you want to worry about in a disaster is packing. That’s why everyone should have an Emergency Supply Kit ready to go. Use this checklist to help you assemble your kit.

/// Find out about local alerts and warnings by contacting your local emergency management or visiting their website. ///