Preparing for a Building Explosion
Explosions can collapse buildings and cause fires. People who live or work in a multi-level building can do the following:

1. Review emergency evacuation procedures. Know where emergency exits are located.

2. Keep fire extinguishers in working order. Know where they are located, and learn how to use them.

3. Learn first aid. Contact the local chapter of the American Red Cross for information and training.

4. Building owners should keep the following items in a designated place on each floor of the building.
    o Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
    o Several flashlights and extra batteries
    o First aid kit and manual
    o Several hard hats
    o Fluorescent tape to rope off dangerous areas

Bomb Threats
     If you receive a bomb threat, get as much information from the caller as possible. Keep the caller on the line and record everything that is said. Then notify the police and the building management. If you are notified of a bomb threat, do not touch any suspicious packages. Clear the area around suspicious packages and notify
the police immediately. In evacuating a building, don't stand in front of windows, glass doors or other potentially hazardous areas. Do not block sidewalk or streets to be used by emergency officials or others still exiting the building. Suspicious parcels and letters Be wary of suspicious packages and letters. They can contain explosives, chemical or biological agents. Be particularly cautious at your place of employment. Some typical characteristics postal inspectors have detected over the years, which ought to trigger suspicion, include parcels that-

            o Are unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you.
            o Have no return address, or have one that can't be verified as legitimate.
            o Are marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "Personal," "Confidential" or "Do not x-ray."
            o Have protruding wires or aluminum foil, strange odors or stains.
            o Show a city or state in the postmark that doesn't match the return address.
            o Are of unusual weight, given their size, or are lopsided or oddly shaped.
            o Are marked with any threatening language.
            o Have inappropriate or unusual labeling.
            o Have excessive postage or excessive packaging material such as masking tape and string.
            o Have misspellings of common words.
            o Are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or are otherwise outdated.
            o Have incorrect titles or title without a name.
            o Are not addressed to a specific person.
            o Have handwritten or poorly typed addresses.

With suspicious envelopes and packages other than those that might contain explosives, take these additional steps against possible biological and chemical agents.
           o Refrain from eating or drinking in a designated mail handling area.
           o Place suspicious envelopes or packages in a plastic bag or some other type of container to prevent leakage of contents. Never sniff or smell suspect mail.
           o If you do not have a container, then cover the envelope or package with anything available (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do not remove the cover.
           o Leave the room and close the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering.
           o Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face.
           o If you are at work, report the incident to your building security official or an available supervisor, who should notify police and other authorities without delay.
           o List all people who were in the room or area when this suspicious letter or package was recognized. Give a copy of this list to both the local public health authorities and law enforcement officials for follow-up investigations and advice.
           o If you are at home, report the incident to local police. In the immediate area of a terrorist event, leave quickly and orderly. Listen to police, fire, and other officials for instructions.

What to do if There is an Explosion:
     Leave the building as quickly as possible. Do not stop to retrieve personal possessions or make phone calls. If things are falling around you, get under a sturdy table or desk until they stop falling. Then leave quickly, watching for weakened floors and stairs and falling debris as you exit.

   1. If there is a fire:
       o Stay low to the floor and exit the building as quickly as possible.
       o Cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth.
       o When approaching a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel the lower, middle and upper parts of the door. Never use the palm of your hand or fingers to test for heat: burning those areas could impair your ability to escape a fire (i.e., ladders and crawling).
           - If the door is NOT hot, open slowly and ensure fire and/or smoke is not blocking your escape route. If your escape route is blocked, shut the door immediately and use an alternate escape route, such as a window. If clear, leave immediately through the door. Be prepared to crawl. Smoke and heat rise. The air is clearer and cooler near the floor.
           - If the door is hot, do not open it. Escape through a window. If you cannot escape, hang a white or light-colored sheet outside the window, alerting fire fighters to your presence.
      o Heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling. Stay below the smoke at all times.

   2. If you are trapped in debris:
      o Do not light a match.
      o Do not move about or kick up dust. Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing.
      o Rhythmically tap on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can hear where you are. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort when you hear sounds and think someone will hear you-shouting can cause a person to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.


                                          All information on this page obtained from FEMA