GENERAL PREPAREDNESS AT WORK
An emergency can happen at any time. You and your co-workers should know what to do if an emergency happens during the workday.
* Learn about your company’s emergency plans. Ensure that a plan is developed if one is not in place.
* Practice your company’s emergency plans, including evacuation plans.
* Know the exit routes and evacuation plans in your building. Know at least two exit routes from each room, if possible.
* Have a designated post-evacuation meeting location where appropriate personnel can take a headcount of all workers.
* Make special emergency plans for co-workers who are disabled or may require assistance during an emergency.
* Know the location of fire extinguishers and medical kits. Periodically check extinguishers and alarm systems.
* Make a list of important phone numbers. Keep a printed list at your desk and near other telephones.
* Gather personal emergency supplies in a desk drawer, including a flashlight, walking shoes, a water bottle, and nonperishable food.
* Report damaged or malfunctioning safety systems to appropriate personnel for repair and maintenance.
* Never lock fire exits or block doorways, halls, or stairways. However, keep fire doors closed to slow the spread of smoke and fire.
* In the event of an emergency in a building with many floors:
1) Leave the area quickly following your worksite’s evacuation plan.
2) If you are trapped in the building, stay calm and take steps to protect yourself, and call for help.
3) Provide assistance to children, elderly, injured, and anyone that requires special assistance.
4) Stay where rescuers can see you and wave a light-colored cloth to attract attention.
5) Open windows if possible, but be ready to shut them if smoke rushes in.
* Put together an office phone tree. In the event of an emergency, your office may need to get information to employees quickly.
* Make plans to help each other. Determine how you will help each other in the event that public transportation is shut down.
GENERAL PREPAREDNESS IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Being prepared means knowing what to do if an emergency occurs in your community when you are away from home.
* Be alert. Get to know your neighbors. Be aware of unusual or abandoned packages, vehicles, or activities that should be reported.
* Develop a list of emergency services and their phone numbers and addresses. Include shelters, food banks, police and fire department.
* Find out about community emergency plans. Ask about the plans at your children’s school and your workplace also.
* Make sure schools and workplaces have updated contact information for your family, including a cell phone number.
* Make a plan to meet up with family members if an emergency happens while your family is separated.
* Be prepared to help others. Take a CPR and first-aid training course or get your neighborhood group to take it together.
* Plan for what you may need if you are away from home during an emergency. Keep water, blanket, and nonperishable food in your car.
* Always keep your car fuel tank at least half full. Remember that if electricity is interrupted, gas pumps won’t work.
* Join or start a neighborhood group. Find out if your area has a Neighborhood Watch group or community association. If not, work with neighbors to start one. This is a great way to share the preparedness information you learn and to develop neighborhood plans.