Chemicals industry for acid production. Factory worker in hazmat protective suit and gas mask carefully working with hazardous materials.
Hazardous Materials Incidents
Before an Incident
Be prepared to evacuate. An evacuation could last for a few hours to several days.
Be prepared to shelter-in-place. Keep your 72-hour kits updated.
During an Incident
Stay away from the incident to minimize the risk of contamination.
Remain uphill and upwind from the source of hazardous materials.
Remain uphill and upwind from the source of hazardous materials.
If asked to evacuate your home, do so immediately.
Shelter-in-place if requested to stay indoors.
Schools may institute shelter-in-place procedures if there is a hazardous materials incident. If so, you will probably not be able to drive to the school to pick up your children. Follow the directions of your local Public Safety Department.
Avoid contact with spilled liquids, air-borne mists or condensed solid chemical deposits.
After an Incident
Do not return home until you are told it is safe.
When you get home, open windows, vents, and turn on fans to ventilate your house.
Find out from local authorities how to clean up your land and property.
Report any lingering vapors or hazards.