Annual Review : Prepare Your Family and Home For a Bioterrorist Attack Nursing Center for Bioterrorism and Infectious Disease Preparedness College of Nursing Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey This module is funded in part by USDHHS, HRSA Grant No. TO1HP01407.

How Can You Help Stop Terrorists? Bags left unattended in public places People checking areas or buildings People trying to enter secure areas People at events wearing too much clothing LOOK AND LISTEN. Here are some things to watch for: IF YOU SEE ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY, CALL SAFE-NJ

The Homeland Security Advisory System Provides warnings of risk of terrorist activity through a set of five color-coded “threat conditions”. Below are steps you need to take to protect your family and home at each threat level.

The Homeland Security Advisory System - “Threat Conditions” SEVERE RISK Obey directions by authorities and prepare to evacuate, if instructed. Be alert for emergency messages HIGH RISK Review communication plan with family and monitor the news for further directions ELEVATED Develop other travel routes between home, work and school. Prepare to assist elderly and those with special needs GUARDED Be alert for and report suspicious activity. Review your disaster supply kit and replace outdated items. LOW Develop a family emergency communications plan and stock a disaster supplies kit.

Create A Family Emergency Communications Plan Local phone lines may not be working, so choose an out-of- town person your family can call to check on each other – be sure everyone knows the contact number(s) to call – for kids how to call collect Set a meeting place away from home if your home is in disaster area or if the area is being evacuated Know your children’s school emergency plan and coordinate with it. Make sure school has your emergency contact information. Post a copy of this information next to your telephone, in your kitchen or some other obvious place in your home.

Collect Contents For A Disaster Supplies Kit 3 day water supply – 1 gallon per person per day 3 day food supply per person that won’t spoil. Examples - canned meats, protein or fruit bars, dry cereal or granola, dried fruit, nuts. crackers, canned juice, non-perishable pasteurized milk Food and water for pets Hand can opener, knives, forks, spoons Prescriptions, first aid kit include: 2 pair latex or other sterile gloves if allergic to latex, sterile dressings to stop bleeding, antibiotic ointment, burn ointment, eye wash solution, thermometer, prescription medication, non-prescription medication such as aspirin, non-aspirin pain reliever, anti- diarrhea medication, antacid, and a laxative, prescribed medical supplies such as glucose monitor, blood pressure kit and a first aid manual KEEP DISASTER KIT IN LARGE PLASTIC BARREL WITH COVER

Collect Contents For A Disaster Supplies Kit Paper towels, diapers, toilet paper, garbage bags Personal care: soap, shampoo, toothpaste, disinfectant (bleach) One blanket, clothing change, footwear per person Extra pairs of glasses and/or contact lenses Extra set of keys, a credit card, cash or traveler’s checks Flashlight and extra batteries Battery-powered radio and extra batteries Matches in a waterproof container Important papers like birth certificates in waterproof wrap, insurance policies, identification, bank accounts KEEP DISASTER KIT IN LARGE PLASTIC BARREL WITH COVER

Collect Contents For A Disaster Supplies Kit Other necessary supplies: Whistle- to call for help, dust mask or cotton tee-shirt to filter the air, moist towelettes, wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, garbage bags for personal sanitation, bleach as a disinfectant (dilute nine parts water to one part bleach) In an emergency use bleach to purify water Use 16 drops of regular household bleach per gallon of water. DO NOT USE SCENTED,COLOR SAFE OR BLEACHERS WITH ADDED CLEANERS. Special family needs: Babies : Formula,- Diapers, Bottles, Powdered milk, medications, moist towelletes, Diaper rash ointment. Adults and Seniors: Denture needs, -Extra batteries for hearing aid, a list of the style and serial numbers of medical devices such as pacemakers, a l ist of doctors and emergency contacts.

Collect Contents For A Disaster Supplies Kit People with Disabilities : Create a support network and give one member a key to your home. Contact your city or county government’s emergency information management office. (Many local offices keep lists of people with disabilities so they can be located quickly.) Wear medical a alert tag or bracelet to identify your disability. If dependant on dialysis or other life sustaining treatment, know where there is more than one facility in your area that can provide treatment. Teach the other members how to operate your wheelchair and know the size and weight of your wheelchair collapsible or not.

Biological, Chemical Or Nuclear Attacks In case of an attack : Listen to the radio or TV for instructions on how you should respond You may be told to leave the area, to seek shelter in a specific location or to take shelter where you are and seal the premises

Decontamination If you are exposed to contamination seek professional help if it is available. If help is not available, decontaminate yourself by following these rules: Remove all clothing and items in contact with the body. Cut clothing off – do not pull clothing over head. Place removed clothing in a plastic bag and seal tightly. Remove eyeglasses. Place in a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water for 5 minutes. Rinse with clear water. Dispose of contact lenses. Flush eyes with lots of water. Gently wash face and hair with soap and rinse thoroughly. Gently wash other parts of body that have been exposed in soapy water. Do not scrub or scrape harshly. Rinse with clear water. Change into clean clothes that have been in a drawer/closet and not been exposed to contamination.

Biological and Chemical Attacks Biological weapons, like anthrax or smallpox, can cause illness or death. If you become aware of an unusual or suspicious substances nearby: Quickly move away Protect yourself cover mouth and nose with layers if fabric that can filter the air but still allow breathing. If your symptoms match those described and you are in the group considered at risk immediately seek emergency medical attention. If you become aware of an unusual or suspicious substances nearby: Chemical agents are poisonous and have deadly effects on people. Possible signs of Chemical Attack: Many people suffering from watery eyes, twitching,choking, having trouble breathing or losing coordination Many sick or dead birds, fish or small animals are also cause for suspicion

Biological and Chemical Attacks In case of an attack you should: If caught outside, get indoors as quickly as possible. Try to get up wind of the polluted area so that the wind is blowing the pollution away from you. If told to stay indoors where you are, go to an internal room without windows if possible. Shut off ventilation including furnace, air conditioners and fans. Remain in room and listen to the radio or TV for further instructions.

Radioactive And Nuclear Terrorism An attack on a nuclear power plant or the use of a small nuclear weapon is possible. Terrorists may set off a “dirty bomb” that contains radioactive material. All of these produce dangerous contaminated fallout. Three principles to protect yourself: 1. Shielding – put heavy dense material between you and the fallout, for example, thick walls, bricks, earth. A basement is better protection that an upper floor area. 2. Distance – get as far away from the blast as quickly as possible. 3. Time – radiation fallout is the greatest threat the first two weeks after the attack. After that, the threat is greatly reduced.

Radioactive And Nuclear Terrorism Additional Information: close windows and doors, turn off air conditioners, heaters or other ventilation systems. If there is a significant radiation threat, health care authorities may or may not advise you to take potassium iodide. Potassium iodide is the ingredient added to table salt to make it iodized. It may or may not protect your thyroid gland, which is vulnerable, from radioactive iodine exposure. Plan to speak with your health care provider in advance about what makes sense to your family. Radiation Threat or “ Dirty Bomb” If you have been exposed to radiation, take off your clothes and wash as soon as possible. READY.GOVINFO.