Evacuation

If local authorities ask you to leave your home, they have a good reason to make this request, and you should heed the advice immediately. Listen to your radio or television and follow the instructions of local emergency officials and keep these simple tips in mind:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy shoes so you can be protected as much as possible.
• Take your disaster supplies kit.
• Take your pets with you. Because pets are not permitted in public shelters, follow your plan to go to a relative's or friend's home, or find a "pet-friendly" hotel.
• Lock your home.
• Use travel routes specified by local authorities. Don't use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
• Listen to local authorities.

Shelter-in-Place

If you are advised by local officials to "shelter in place," what they mean is for you to remain inside your home or office and protect yourself there.

• Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
• Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Close the fireplace damper.
• Get your disaster supplies kit, and make sure the radio is working.
• Go to an interior room without windows that's above ground level.
• Using duct tape, seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.
• Keep listening to your radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate.
• Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.

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.

Children and Poisoning

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 Illinois Poison Control Center (1.800.222.1222) or 9-1-1.

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.