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 Disasters
have the
potential to leave communities in ruin, and many people injured. Many
areas that were once considered safe, are now littered with downed
trees and power lines, twisted metal, broken glass, and other debris.
Gas lines could be left open, causing a fire hazard on top of all
of the other damage. Even when you make it through alive, there are
still dangers to contend with as you pick up the pieces of your life.
Its important to know what steps to take to you yourself and your
loved ones safe. Please take some time and learn the steps that need
to be taken after a disaster.
 After
a disaster occurs, the main idea that people think of after making
sure they and their loved ones are not injured is cleaning up. They
want to fix the damage to their property, or salvage what is left
of it, and start to rebuild. There are many dangers that people have
to be aware of when attempting to clean up. Power lines could be laying
over damaged areas. Sharp objects, such as broken glass, downed trees,
and twisted off metal sheets, could be potential hazards as clean
up commenses. House foundations could be weakened or moved from their
resting place, making structures dangerous to enter or approach. Still
other dangers are not as evident, such as mold that can develop in
houses, due to exposure to water and not being properly dried. Please
read "Cleanup Safety" for more cleanup tips.
 After
a disaster, sanitation and personal hygiene can be a problem. Water
sources can not only be contaminated, but may not be accessible due
to structural damage to homes and other buildings, or to water treatment
plants or delivery systems. Water main breaks, may not allow water
to reach destinations. Water treatment plants may be incapacitated,
leaving water that does reach its destination unclean and untreated.
This water may be unsafe to drink and even bathe in. In addition to
having a bad odor, and taste, water from questionable sources may
be contaminated by a variety of microorganisms, including bacteria
and parasites that cause diseases such as dysentery, cholera, typhoid,
and hepatitis. All water of uncertain purity should be treated before
use. This is a time consuming, but a necessary action to remain healthy
after a disaster.
 Good
hygiene in a disaster extends beyond treating water, however. How
and where waste is disposed of is also an issue when an area is not
receiving water. If waste is not disposed of, the risk for developing
diseases such as typhoid and dysentary increase. In the same way,
it is importants to dispose of waste properly, so as to not cause
further contamination. The following links will further explain the
proper sanitation and hygiene steps necessary after a disaster.
As
you read through these tips and suggestions, please keep in mind that
each disaster situation is unique from every other incident. While
these sheets can help you prepare for surviving after a disaster,
they are just a start. No one can judge the extent of destruction
and injuries caused by a disaster. Please not only prepare for a disaster,
but also disaster recovery. These steps will help bring some semblance
of order to an otherwise chaotic time. But beyond the phyical cleanup,
be aware that there may be emotional wounds to tend to. The link below
gives information on how to cope with disasters.
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