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Div. of Media Relations
1600 Clifton Road
MS D-14
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 639-3286
Fax (404) 639-7394 |
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Press Release
For Immediate Release
September 3, 2004 |
Contact: CDC Media Relations
404-639-3286 |
CDC Offers Advice for
People to Protect Themselves During and After a Hurricane
As people brace for the impact of Hurricane Frances, they must also prepare
for the threats that the storm may leave behind. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) offers advice to help people protect themselves
from illness, injury, and death during and after a storm.
As the storm approaches, people should gather emergency supplies including
food, water and prescription medicines, and prepare to evacuate. Once
the storm has passed, immediate concerns include food and water safety,
structural
safety, utility and fire hazards, carbon monoxide hazards, cleanup activities,
and protection from mosquitoes. People can help protect themselves and
their families by following these CDC guidelines:
- Learn about your community's emergency plans, warning signals,
evacuation routes, and locations of emergency shelters.
- Identify potential home hazards and know how to secure or protect
them before the hurricane strikes. Be prepared to turn off electrical
power
when there is standing water, fallen power lines, or before evacuation.
Turn off gas and water supplies before you evacuate.
- Inform local authorities about any special needs, i.e., elderly
or bedridden people or anyone with a disability.
- Do not drive through flooded roads. Cars can be swept away
or break down.
- Listen to announcements in local media (radio, TV, or newspaper)
to find out if it's safe to use tap water. Follow the instructions given
for using
water.
- If you do not know whether the water is safe to use, boil water
before you use it for anything (brushing teeth, cooking, drinking or
bathing).
- Throw away any food that may have been touched by flood water
or may be unsafe to eat because of power loss.
- Use canned baby formulas that are ready-to-use (you don't have
to add anything to them). Do not prepare infant formulas with water that
has been treated
with chemicals.
- Be aware of possible structural, electrical, or gas-leak hazards
as you return to and begin cleaning homes or other buildings.
- To prevent growth of some bacteria, viruses, mold, and mildew
that can cause illness, disinfect and dry out buildings and the items
in them.
- Use battery-powered lanterns and flashlights instead of candles.
- Some small engines, stoves, generators, lanterns, gas ranges
put off carbon monoxide gas and should only be used in well-ventilated
areas. Burning
charcoal and wood may also emit dangerous fumes.
- Protect yourself from mosquitoes: wear long-sleeved and long-legged
clothing, and use insect repellents that contain DEET.
CDC has expanded its website
to include detailed information on hurricanes, floods, and lingering
dangers for the affected communities. More information
is available at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/index.asp.
Residents may also contact their local health authorities for additional
guidelines,
notifications and information.
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