In Time Of Emergency by Department of Defense
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Department of Defense >> In Time Of Emergency
--Lock house doors and windows. Park your car in the garage or driveway,
close the windows, and lock it (unless you are driving to your new
temporary location).
* TRAVEL WITH CARE. If your local government is arranging transportation
for you, precautions will be taken for your safety. But if you are
walking or driving your own car to another location, keep in mind these
things:
--Leave early enough so as not to be marooned by flooded roads, fallen
trees, and wires.
--Make sure you have enough gasoline in your car.
--Follow recommended routes.
--As you travel, keep listening to the radio for additional information
and instructions from your local government.
--Watch for washed-out or undermined roadways, earth slides, broken
sewer or water mains, loose or downed electric wires, and falling or
fallen objects.
--Watch out for areas where rivers or streams may flood suddenly.
--Don't try to cross a stream or a pool of water unless you are certain
that the water will not be above your knees (or above the middle of your
car's wheels) _all the way across_. Sometimes the water will hide a
bridge or a part of the road that has been washed out. If you decide it
is safe to drive across it, put your car in low gear and drive very
slowly, to avoid splashing water into your engine and causing it to
stop. Also, remember that your brakes may not work well after the wheels
of your car have been in deep water. Try them out a few times when you
reach the other side.
DURING A HURRICANE
--If your house is on high ground and you haven't been instructed to
evacuate, stay indoors. Don't try to travel, since you will be in danger
from flying debris, flooded roads, and downed wires.
--Keep listening to your radio or television set for further information
and advice. If the center or "eye" of the hurricane passes directly over
you, there will be a temporary lull in the wind, lasting from a few
minutes to perhaps a half-hour or more. _Stay in a safe place during
this lull_. The wind will return--perhaps with even greater force--from
the _opposite_ direction.
SPECIAL ADVICE ON FLASH FLOODS
In many areas, unusually heavy rains may cause quick or "flash" floods.
Small creeks, gullies, dry streambeds, ravines, culverts or even
low-lying grounds frequently flood very quickly and endanger people,
sometimes before any warning can be given.
In a period of heavy rains, be aware of this hazard and be prepared to
protect yourself against it. If you see any possibility of a flash flood
occurring where you are, move immediately to a safer location (don't
wait for instructions to move), and then notify your local authorities
of the danger, so other people can be warned.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 3
TORNADOES
* _When a tornado watch (forecast) is announced_, this means that
tornadoes are expected in or near your area. Keep your radio or
television set tuned to a local station for information and advice from
your local government or the Weather Bureau. Also, keep watching the
sky, especially to the south and southwest. (When a tornado watch is
announced during the approach of a hurricane, however, keep watching the
sky to the east.) If you see any revolving, funnel-shaped clouds, report
them by telephone immediately to your local police department, sheriff's
office or Weather Bureau office. But do not use the phone to get
information and advice--depend on radio or TV.
* _When a tornado warning is issued, take shelter immediately_. The
warning means that a tornado has actually been sighted, and this (or
other tornadoes) may strike in your vicinity. You must take action to
protect yourself from being blown away, struck by falling objects, or
injured by flying debris. Your best protection is an underground shelter
or cave, or a substantial steel-framed or reinforced-concrete building.
But if none of these is available, there are other places where you can
take refuge:
--If you are _at home_, go to your underground storm cellar or your
basement fallout shelter, if you have one. If not, go to a corner of
your home basement and take cover under a sturdy workbench or table (but
not underneath heavy appliances on the floor above). If your home has no
basement, take cover under heavy furniture on the ground floor in the
center part of the house, or in a small room on the ground floor that is
away from outside walls and windows. (As a last resort, go outside to a
nearby ditch, excavation, culvert or ravine.) Doors and windows on the
sides of your house _away from_, the tornado may be left open to help
reduce damage to the building, but stay away from them to avoid flying
debris. Do not remain in a trailer or mobile home if a tornado is
approaching; take cover elsewhere.
--If you are _at work_ in an office building, go to the basement or to
an inner hallway on a lower floor. In a factory, go to a shelter area,
or to the basement if there is one.
--If you are _outside in open country_, drive away from the tornado's
path, at a right angle to it. If there isn't time to do this--or if you
are walking--take cover and lie flat in the nearest depression, such as
a ditch, culvert, excavation, or ravine.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 4
WINTER STORMS
Here is advice that will help you protect yourself and your family
against the hazards of winter storms--blizzards, heavy snows, ice
storms, freezing rain, or sleet.
* KEEP POSTED ON WEATHER CONDITIONS. Use your radio, television and
newspapers to keep informed of current weather conditions and forecasts
in your area. Even a few hours' warning of a storm may enable you to
avoid being caught outside in it, or at least be better prepared to cope
with it. You should also understand the terms commonly used in weather
forecasts:
--A _blizzard_ is the most dangerous of all winter storms. It combines
cold air, heavy snow, and strong winds that blow the snow about and may
reduce visibility to only a few yards. A _blizzard warning_ is issued
when the Weather Bureau expects considerable snow, winds of 35 miles an
hour or more, and temperatures of 20 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. A
_severe blizzard warning_ means that a very heavy snowfall is expected,
with winds of at least 45 miles an hour and temperatures of 10 degrees
or lower.
--A _heavy snow warning_ usually means an expected snowfall of 4 inches
or more in a 12-hour period, or 6 inches or more in a 24-hour period.
Warnings of _snow flurries, snow squalls_, or _blowing and drifting
snow_ are important mainly because visibility may be reduced and roads
may become slippery or blocked.
--_Freezing rain or freezing drizzle_ is forecast when expected rain is
likely to freeze as soon as it strikes the ground, putting a coating of
ice or glaze on roads and everything else that is exposed. If a
substantial layer of ice is expected to accumulate from the freezing
rain, an _ice storm_ is forecast.
--_Sleet_ is small particles of ice, usually mixed with rain. If enough
sleet accumulates on the ground, it will make the roads slippery.
* BE PREPARED FOR ISOLATION AT HOME. If you live in a rural area, make
sure you could survive at home for a week or two in case a storm
isolated you and made it impossible for you to leave. You should:
--Keep an adequate supply of heating fuel on hand and use it sparingly,
as your regular supplies may be curtailed by storm conditions. If
necessary, conserve fuel by keeping the house cooler than usual, or by
"closing off" some rooms temporarily. Also, have available some kind of
_emergency_ heating equipment and fuel so you could keep at least one
room of your house warm enough to be livable. This could be a camp stove
with fuel, or a supply of wood or coal if you have a fireplace. If your
furnace is controlled by a thermostat and your electricity is cut off by
a storm, the furnace probably would not operate and you would need
emergency heat.
--Stock an emergency supply of food and water, as well as emergency
cooking equipment such as a camp stove. Some of this food should be of
the type that does not require refrigeration or cooking.
--Make sure you have a battery-powered radio and extra batteries on
hand, so that if your electric power is cut off you could still hear
weather forecasts, information and advice broadcast by local
authorities. Also, flashlights or lanterns would be needed.
--Consult page 72 of this handbook for other supplies and equipment that
you may need if isolated at home. Be sure to keep on hand the simple
tools and equipment needed to fight a fire. Also, be certain that all
family members know how to take precautions that would prevent fire at
such a time, when the help of the fire department may not be available.
* TRAVEL ONLY IF NECESSARY. Avoid all unnecessary trips. If you must
travel, use public transportation if possible. However, if you are
forced to use your automobile for a trip of any distance, take these
precautions:
--Make sure your car is in good operating condition, properly serviced,
and equipped with chains or snow tires.
--Take another person with you if possible.
--Make sure someone knows where you are going, your approximate
schedule, and your estimated time of arrival at your destination.
--Have emergency "winter storm supplies" in the car, such as a container
of sand, shovel, windshield scraper, tow chain or rope, extra gasoline,
and a flashlight. It also is good to have with you heavy gloves or
mittens, overshoes, extra woolen socks, and winter headgear to cover
your head and face.
--Travel by daylight and use major highways if you can. Keep the car
radio turned on for weather information and advice.
--Drive with all possible caution. Don't try to save time by travelling
faster than road and weather conditions permit.
--Don't be daring or foolhardy. Stop, turn back, or seek help if
conditions threaten that may test your ability or endurance, rather than
risk being stalled, lost or isolated. If you are caught in a _blizzard_,
seek refuge immediately.
* KEEP CALM IF YOU GET IN TROUBLE. If your car breaks down during a
storm, or if you become stalled or lost, don't panic. Think the problem
through, decide what's the safest and best thing to do, and then do it
slowly and carefully. If you are on a well-traveled road, show a trouble
signal. Set your directional lights to flashing, raise the hood of your
car, or hang a cloth from the radio aerial or car window. Then stay in
your car and wait for help to arrive. If you run the engine to keep
warm, remember to open a window enough to provide ventilation and
protect you from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Wherever you are, if there is no house or other source of help in sight,
do not leave your car to search for assistance, as you may become
confused and get lost.
* AVOID OVEREXERTION. Every winter many unnecessary deaths occur because
people--especially older persons, but younger ones as well--engage in
more strenuous physical activity than their bodies can stand. Cold
weather itself, _without_ any physical exertion, puts an extra strain on
your heart. If you add to this physical exercise, especially exercise
that you are not accustomed to--such as shovelling snow, pushing an
automobile, or even walking fast or far--you are risking a heart attack,
a stroke, or other damage to your body. In winter weather, and
especially in winter storms, be aware of this danger, and avoid
overexertion.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 5
EARTHQUAKES
If your area is one of the places in the United States where earthquakes
occur, keep these points in mind:
--When an earthquake happens, _keep calm_. Don't run or panic. If you
take the proper precautions, the chances are you will not be hurt.
--REMAIN WHERE YOU ARE. If you are outdoors, stay outdoors; if indoors,
stay indoors. In earthquakes, most injuries occur as people are entering
or leaving buildings (from falling walls, electric wires, etc.).
--If you are indoors, sit or stand against an inside wall (preferably in
the basement), or in an inside doorway; or else take cover under a desk,
table or bench (in case the wall or ceiling should fall). Stay away from
windows and outside doors.
--If you are outdoors, stay away from overhead electric wires, poles or
anything else that might shake loose and fall (such as the cornices of
tall buildings).
--If you are _driving an automobile_, pull off the road and stop (as
soon as possible, and with caution). Remain in the car until the
disturbance subsides. When you drive on, watch for hazards created by
the earthquake, such as fallen or falling objects, downed electric
wires, and broken or undermined roadways.
AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE
For your own safety and that of others, you should follow carefully the
advice given in the section, "After a Natural Disaster" (page 73).
* * * * *
INDEX
Air raid _see_ NUCLEAR ATTACK
Air raid shelters _see_ FALLOUT SHELTERS
ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION 58-60
Atomic bomb attack _see_ NUCLEAR ATTACK
Attack, nuclear _see_ NUCLEAR ATTACK
ATTACK WARNING: 17-22
Actions to take 19-20, 21-22
Attack warning signal 19
Attack warning time 18, 21
Taking cover 21-22
ATTENTION OR ALERT SIGNAL (for natural disasters) 19-20, 71-72
Basements (for use as fallout shelters) _see_ FALLOUT SHELTERS
Blast from nuclear explosions _see_ NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS, Effects of
BLEEDING, How to stop 61
Blizzards _see_ STORMS, Winter
BOATS (use as improvised fallout shelters) 33, 38
Bomb shelters _see_ FALLOUT SHELTERS
BREATHING, How to restore 58-60
BROADCASTING, Radio and television:
In time of natural disaster 72, 75, 77, 81, 83
In time of nuclear attack 17-18, 32, 34
BROKEN BONES, How to treat 63-65
BURNS, How to treat 65-66
CHECKLIST OF EMERGENCY ACTIONS 6-7
CHILDREN, Special precautions for:
Avoiding contaminated water and milk 6, 9, 16
Effects of radiation on children 13, 16
Finding fallout shelter at all times 24
Giving artificial respiration to children 59, 60
Infant supplies to be stored for shelter use 43
Construction of home fallout shelters _see_ PLANS FOR HOME
FALLOUT SHELTERS
Cover _see_ TAKING COVER
CRAWL SPACE (use as improvised fallout shelter) 33, 36
DRIVING IN A TIME OF NATURAL DISASTER:
Car may be needed for evacuation 72
Driving after a natural disaster has occurred 74
Driving at the time of a flood or hurricane 75, 76, 77, 78
Driving at the time of an earthquake 86
Driving during a winter storm 82-84
If you see a tornado while driving 80
EARTHQUAKES 85-86 _see also_ 71-74 (General Guidance)
Effects of nuclear explosions _see_ NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS, Effects of
ELECTRIC SERVICE 75,82
ELECTRIC WIRES, Downed 73, 77, 78, 86
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES 73, 76
ELECTRICITY (as related to fires) 52, 54
EMERGENCY ACTIONS CHECKLIST 6-7
EMERGENCY SKILLS:
Need for 2, 5, 55, 56
Training courses in 2, 55
EVACUATION IN A TIME OF NATURAL DISASTER: 75-78
Securing your home before leaving 75-76
EXERTION, Physical:
Avoiding overexertion during a storm 84
FALLOUT, Radioactive 5, 6, 10-13, 15, 16
FALLOUT SHELTERS:
_General information_ 13-14, 23-25
Home shelters 24-25, how to prepare 26-32
Improvised shelters 33-38
Public shelters 23-24, how to identify 24
Some protection provided against blast and heat 14
Supplies for fallout shelters 39-44
Taking cover before going to fallout shelter 21-22
When to leave shelter 13, 24, 32
FIRE:
Firefighting at home 52-54
Firefighting supplies needed at home 43, 53
Fire from nuclear explosions _see_ NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS, Effects of
Fire in connection with natural disasters 73
Fire prevention at home 51-54
Special fire precautions in time of attack 52-53
Fireball, nuclear _see_ NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS, Effects of
FIRST AID: 55-67
_General rules_ 57
Bleeding, how to stop it 61-62
Breathing, how to restore it 58-60
Broken bones 63-65
Burns 65-66
Radiation sickness 66-67
Shock, how to prevent and treat it 62-63
Supplies 42
Training courses 2, 55-56
Flash from nuclear explosions _see_ NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS, Effects of
FLOODS: 75-78 _see also_ 71-74 (General Guidance)
Special advice on flash floods 78
Using sandbags to protect home not recommended 76
FOOD:
Available and usable after an attack 14-16
Care and use of food supplies in shelter 42, 46, 48
Food supplies in time of natural disaster 72, 82
Food to take to shelter 40, 42
Use of food after a natural disaster 73
_see also_ SUPPLIES FOR FALLOUT SHELTERS
Gamma radiation _see_ FALLOUT, Radioactive
GAS SERVICE, Turnoff by householders 75
GAS PIPES, Leaking 73
Heat from nuclear explosions _see_ NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS,
Effects of
HEATING, in time of winter storms 82
HOME FALLOUT SHELTERS:
How to prepare a home shelter: 26-32
Outside type 32
Permanent type 26-29
Preplanned type 30-32
Importance of 24-25
Improvised home shelters 33-38
Managing water, food, and sanitation in 45-49
Supplies and equipment for 41-44
When to leave shelter 13, 24, 32
HURRICANES: 75-78 _see also_ 71-74 (General Guidance)
"Eye" of a hurricane 78
Ice storm _see_ STORMS, Winter
Improvised fallout shelters _see_ FALLOUT SHELTERS
Infants _see_ CHILDREN, Special precautions for
Injuries, treatment of _see_ FIRST AID
MEDICAL CARE IN EMERGENCIES 55-67 _see also_ FIRST AID
MEDICAL SELF-HELP COURSE 2, 55, 56
MEDICINES AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES:
Importance of having available 55, 56
What to keep on hand for natural disasters 72
What to store for home shelter use 42
What to take to a public fallout shelter 40
MILK CONTAMINATION FROM FALLOUT 9, 16
Missiles, nuclear _see_ NUCLEAR ATTACK _and_ NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS,
Effects of
MOUTH-TO-MOUTH RESUSCITATION 58-60
NATURAL DISASTERS: 69-86
_General guidance_ 71-74
Earthquakes 85, 86
Emergency feeding and shelter stations 75
Floods and hurricanes 75-78
Supplies for 72, 82, 83
Tornadoes 79, 80
Value of preparations 70, 71
Warning 71-72, 75, 79, 81
Winter Storms 81-84
NATURAL DISASTER WARNING 17, 18, 19, 71-72
NUCLEAR ATTACK: 3-67
Areas of damage 10-11
Assistance available in time of attack 5
Checklist of emergency actions 6-7
Deaths and injuries 5, 10-11
Hazards of an attack 9-16
Importance of following local instructions 1, 2, 6, 7
Survivors 10-11
Taking cover if there should be a nuclear flash 21-22
Warning 6, 17-22
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS, Effects of 9-13
Outside fallout shelters _see_ HOME FALLOUT SHELTERS
PLANS FOR HOME FALLOUT SHELTERS: 26-32
Improvised home shelters, description of 33-38
Preparations for natural disasters _see_ NATURAL DISASTERS
Preparations for nuclear attack _see_ NUCLEAR ATTACK
Protective materials against fallout _see_ SHIELDING MATERIALS
PUBLIC FALLOUT SHELTERS:
How to identify 7, 24
Supplies to take to public shelter 40
Water, food and sanitation in public shelter 45-46
When to leave shelter 13, 24, 32
Radiation _see_ FALLOUT, Radioactive
RADIATION SICKNESS: 11-13, 32
How to recognize and treat it 66-67
Radio _see_ BROADCASTING, Radio and television
Radioactive fallout _see_ FALLOUT, Radioactive
SANITATION 41-42, 45-49
Shelters _see_ FALLOUT SHELTERS
SHIELDING MATERIALS 14, 25, 34
Comparison of various materials 25
SHOCK, How to recognize and treat 62-63
Sick and injured, care of the _see_ FIRST AID
Sign, public fallout shelter _see_ PUBLIC FALLOUT SHELTERS
SIGNALS, Warning: 18-20 _see also_ ATTACK WARNING _and_
NATURAL DISASTER WARNING
Sirens, warning _see_ SIGNALS, Warning
Snow storms _see_ STORMS, Winter
STORM CELLARS:
For protection from tornadoes 80
Use as fallout shelters 36
STORMS, Winter 81-84 _see also_ 71-74 (General Guidance)
STORM TIDES OR SURGES 75-78
SUPPLIES FOR FALLOUT SHELTERS: 39-44
Home shelters 39, 41-44, care and use of supplies 45-49
Public shelters 40, 46
SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR NATURAL DISASTERS 72, 82-83
TAKING COVER:
For protection from tornadoes 79-80
In time of nuclear attack 21-22
TELEPHONE, Restricted use in a time of emergency 6, 20, 72, 74, 79
Television _see_ BROADCASTING, Radio and television
TOILETS, Emergency 42, 45-46, 48-49
TORNADOES 79-80 _see also_ 71-74 (General Guidance)
TOURNIQUETS, Special advice on 61-62
Training courses _see_ EMERGENCY SKILLS
WARNING: 17-22 _see also_ ATTACK WARNING _and_ NATURAL DISASTER WARNING
WATER:
Available and usable after an attack 14-16
Care and use of water supplies in shelter 46-48
Possible danger of contaminated water to children 6, 9, 16
Precautions on use of water after a natural disaster 73
To store for home shelter use 41
To store for use in a natural disaster 72, 82
To take to public fallout shelter 40
Water service, turnoff by householders 75
_see also_ SUPPLIES FOR FALLOUT SHELTERS
Winter storms _see_ STORMS, Winter
* * * * *
KEEP THIS HANDBOOK
WITH OTHER EMERGENCY INSTRUCTIONS
YOU RECEIVE
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1968--O-297-579
* * * * *
FOOTNOTES:
Footnote 1: In a time of nuclear attack or major natural disaster, don't
use the telephone to get information or advice. Depend on radio or
television.
Footnote 2: These smaller particles would drift to earth more slowly,
losing much of their radioactivity before they reached the ground, and
would be spread by the upper winds over vast areas of the world.
Footnote 3: This table, and other suggestions concerning emergency
supplies of food and water, is contained in "Family Food Stockpile for
Survival," Home and Garden Bulletin No. 77, U.S. Department of
Agriculture. For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington,
D.C. 20402, price 10 cents.