Disaster Preparedness 101

Recent natural disasters have left an indelible scar in our collective memory. Last week’s monsoon rains left us again trembling and whimpering. Late Monday night, as the rains poured in copious furious buckets, some of us decided to wait it out at the office till the weather calmed down. The rains hardly stopped — there were but brief intermissions — and so by the time we decided to go home, the floodwaters had risen and the streets were impassable.

How prepared are we for calamities?

EcoWaste Coalition, a waste and pollution watchdog, has come up with guidelines on how the public can better prepare for future calamities.

This guide, says the group, is by no means exhaustive and everybody’s encouraged to add more points based on their actual experiences of coping with weather disturbances and other emergencies.

1) Monitor what is happening in your external environment and be informed all the time.

a. Listen to public service announcements, including weather bulletins, flood advisories, and rainfall, tide, surge and gale warnings, through the radio or TV news programs.

b. Visit the websites of:

– National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (http://www.ndrrmc.gov.ph/)

-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/)

– Philippine National Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org.ph/)

c. Participate in disaster awareness and preparedness activities in your barangay.

d. Know the flood warning signs and community alert signals in your area.

2) Determine the types of hazards present in your area. Seek answers to the following questions:

• Is your home and community flood-prone?

• Are you working or residing in a flood or landslide-susceptible area?

• Is your location vulnerable to storm surges?

• Are there commercial or industrial establishments such as factories and warehouses that manufacture, use or store chemicals of concern in your premises?

• Is there a garbage transfer station or waste disposal facility (dumpsite, landfill, incinerator) operating in your area?

It is important to get acquainted with the history of flooding, landslide, and earthquake in your neighborhood, and to have full knowledge of the potential hazards posed by businesses, factories, and warehouses as well as waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities in your area, especially in case of chemical spills and accidents.

3) Familiarize yourself with the geographical hazards of your community. Refer to the “Geohazard Map of the Philippines” at this website: http://geohazard.essc.org.ph/

4) Find out where the community evacuation center is located and how to get there. If there is no pre-determined evacuation area, identify the safest place to go to when disaster strikes. Also, know the safest place in the home where you can go in the event you cannot move out of your place. Plan and conduct an evacuation drill for members of your household.

5) Post a list of emergency hotlines and people to contact in case of an emergency in a conspicuous place (e.g., by the refrigerator’s door, beside the telephone or at the back of the main door).

6) Always have a ready-to-go disaster survival case or bag where the following basic necessities are kept:? water; non-perishable food; first-aid kit (antiseptic solutions, band aids, bandages, gauze pads, latex gloves, medical scissors); sanitation supplies (soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, towel, sanitary napkin); basic medicines; flashlights and extra batteries; battery-operated radio and spare batteries; blankets or sleeping bags; lighter or waterproof matches.??It will also be ideal to have the following ready in case of emergency situations:? can opener or Swiss knife, tool kit, duct tape and rope, axe, shovel, trash bags, sturdy shoes.??It will also be useful to have a stash of cash in case the banks or the automated teller machines (ATMs) are not working due to flooding or power failure. ??

Here are more tips in case you are caught in an actual flood situation:??

• If you are indoors, grab your disaster survival case or bag and turn on the radio for information and advice. Leave your home at once if instructed by the authorities. Be sure to unplug all appliances and to lock the doors and windows before you go.

• If you are outdoors, climb to high ground and stay there, avoid wading through floodwaters to prevent being swept by the currents, punctured or lacerated by sharp objects (e.g., broken glasses, metal fragments, syringes) or be exposed to chemical contaminants or to bacteria such as those that can cause diarrhea and leptospirosis. Avoid exposure to floodwaters if you have skin rashes or open wounds.

• If you are in a car, drive to a higher ground. If you are caught in a flooded place and your car conks out, leave it immediately and go to a safe place.

• Be a good Samaritan, especially to people requiring special assistance such as the children and the elderly, pregnant women, the sick and physically-challenged. Floodwaters can be hazardous, especially to young children. To reduce exposure to infectious diseases, chemical contaminants, and physical injuries, do not allow children to play, bathe or swim in floodwater areas and ensure they wash their hands after contact with floodwaters and before meals.

• When the flood is over and the authorities have indicated that it would be safe for you to go home, please return to your place with extra caution:?Inspect the doors, floors, walls, and windows for possible damage. Beware of poisonous snakes and other animals that may have been displaced by floodwaters. Check for fire hazards, especially damaged electric wiring. Dry wet electrical circuits and appliances before turning on the main switch.

After-flood tips ??

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention further suggests the following after-flood tips for the health and safety of family members as well as pet animals: ?

• Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup has been completed.

• Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles during cleanup of affected area.

• Remove and discard items that cannot be washed and disinfected (such as mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture, cosmetics, stuffed animals, baby toys, pillows, foam-rubber items, books, wall coverings, and most paper products).

• Remove and discard drywall and insulation that have been contaminated with sewage or floodwaters.

Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces (such as flooring, concrete, molding, wood and metal furniture, countertops, appliances, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures) with hot water and laundry or dish detergent.

• Help the drying process by using fans, air-conditioning units, and dehumidifiers.

• After completing the cleanup, wash your hands with soap and warm water. Use water that has been boiled for one minute (allow the water to cool before washing your hands).

8) Wash all clothes worn during the cleanup in hot water and detergent. These clothes should be washed separately from uncontaminated clothes and linens.

9) Wash clothes contaminated with flood or sewage water in hot water and detergent. It is recommended that a laundromat be used for washing large quantities of clothes and linens until your onsite waste-water system has been professionally inspected and serviced.

10) Seek immediate medical attention if you are injured or ill.? –Ching M. Alano (The Philippine Star)