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Survival planning at home Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
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Survival planning starts at home
By Mimi HallPrecautions urged, 1A
USA TODAY
The Department of Homeland Security on Monday urged Americans to prepare for a terrorist attack that could involve biological, chemical or radiological weapons. With the nation's terrorism-threat level at code orange -- or ''high'' risk for an attack -- officials said people should take steps to protect themselves and their families. Some key questions raised by the latest alert:
Q: Why was the threat level increased on Friday?
A: Law enforcement officials cited intelligence reports that al-Qaeda might be planning to attack ''lightly secured targets'' such as apartment buildings or hotels. Officials also warned of an attack with a ''dirty bomb,'' which spreads radioactive material, or with a chemical or biological agent. They said an attack could be timed to coincide with the hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. The climax of the three- to seven-day hajj was Monday.
Q: What has the government done to respond?
A: The government has stepped up security at airports, bridges, tunnels, dams, ports and border crossings. Homeland Security officials contacted 66 of the nation's top CEOs on Friday and urged them to increase security at their companies' buildings. Hospitals and health officials have been told to have plans in place to respond to a biological attack. State and local officials have put more police on the streets and increased security at utilities and other vulnerable targets, but many say they don't have enough money to add much security.
Q: What should people do to prepare?
A: Families should choose two meeting places, one near home and one outside the neighborhood, in case members can't reach one another during a disaster. They also should choose a contact person who lives out of state who can relay messages if local phone networks are jammed or out of service. And they should prepare disaster kits for their home and cars.
Q: What's the most important item in a disaster kit?
A: A battery-powered radio (with extra batteries) so you can listen to instructions from authorities.
Q: What else should be in a kit?
A: At least three days' worth of water (one gallon per person per day), canned and other non-perishable food, over-the-counter medicine and regular prescription medicines. Flashlights. A non-electric can opener. Diapers and baby food. A wrench, if needed, to shut off utilities. Copies of important documents, such as wills, deeds, bank account numbers, insurance papers and immunization records in a fire- and waterproof container. Duct tape and plastic sheeting.
Q: What are the duct tape and plastic sheeting for?
A: If authorities tell you to stay in your home during a chemical or biological attack, seek shelter in an internal room or basement and turn off all ventilation, including heating and air-conditioning units. Use the plastic and tape to seal off doors and windows. This will help prevent lethal agents from seeping into your home.
Q: If there has been an attack, should I try to leave town or stay home?
A: Follow any evacuation instructions from authorities. In an attack involving biological, chemical or radiological weapons, however, it generally would be safer to stay home. Authorities say trying to flee might only expose you to dangerous agents or leave you caught in traffic.
Q: What if I've been directly exposed?
A: Seek immediate medical help. If none is available, try to decontaminate yourself by removing all clothing (with scissors, if possible, to avoid contact with eyes and mouth), gently washing your face and hands and blotting other contaminated areas. Don't scrape or rub affected skin.
Q: What should I do in a radiological attack?
A: Seek shelter below ground and stay there until told otherwise. If you're caught outside, lie on the ground and cover your head.
Q: Is the government telling only residents in New York City and Washington, D.C., to prepare for attack?
A: New York and Washington are particular targets for al-Qaeda, but officials are telling all citizens to prepare.
Q: What will happen to my children at school?
A: Many schools are locked down during emergencies to keep children inside until it is safe for them to be picked up. Parents should learn about disaster plans at their children's schools.
Q: Why did it take 17 months after Sept. 11, 2001, to urge people to prepare for another attack?
A: Information about disaster preparedness was available on the Internet and in government offices well before the Sept. 11 attacks. But most people haven't read it. Officials decided that the latest terrorism alert warranted asking the news media to pass on the message that people should prepare.
Q: Are U.S. officials worried about causing panic?
A: Yes, and they say that they do not mean to scare people with the warnings. They say they just want people to learn how to survive an attack.
Q: Won't firefighters and police officers help me in an emergency?
A: The USA has only one firefighter for every 280 people and one police officer for every 385 people. That means that in an emergency, most people ''are going to be on their own for possibly 48 to 72 hours,'' says David Paulison of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Q: Where can I get more information?
A: FEMA has a 100-plus-page manual, Are You Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness. It is available at www.fema.gov/areyouready/. The American Red Cross (www.redcross.org) and state and county governments also have disaster-preparedness information.
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