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Jittery Americans are stockpiling antibiotics, gas masks, and even weapons in fearful anticipation of additional terrorist attacks. But do these things really offer protection? Just what can you do to protect yourself?

Here's a "reality check" for you - and some ideas on what you can do to prepare for a possible attack.

Experts say stocking up on drugs is unnecessary because we have no idea what kinds of chemical or biological agents terrorists have been able to obtain or may be planning to use.

And you wouldn't even know it was there. You can't see it, you can't smell it. You wouldn't know a biological agent was released until people started to get sick.

The biggest drawback of a gas mask is you have to be wearing it during an attack. That means you need a warning, which you're unlikely to get.

There is also the danger of suffocation if you put it on incorrectly. Soldiers and law enforcement personnel get extensive training on how to use their masks correctly.

"There certainly is a downside to the wearing of these masks. In Israel during the Desert Storm war, eight people died because they wore their masks incorrectly," says Dr. Henry Siegelson of Disaster Planning International.

If you want to protect your family from attack, experts suggest preparing a sealed room in your house, like they do in Israel. Turn off air conditioners and heaters and tape windows and doors.

Have a survival kit in the room. The American Red Cross says the kit would come in handy in any disaster, including a tornado, hurricane or earthquake.

Above all, experts say to avoid panic buying. The best way to make your family and your home safer is to be prepared before disaster strikes.

Preparing for the unexpected

Create an emergency communications plan
Choose an out-of-town person your family or household will call or e-mail to check on each other should a disaster occur. Your selected person should live far enough away that they would be unlikely to be directly affected by the same event, and they should know they are the chosen person to contact. Make sure every household member has that person's e-mail address and telephone numbers, as well as each other's numbers. Leave these contact numbers at your children's schools and at your workplace. Your family should know that if telephones are not working, they need to be patient and try again later or try e-mail. Many people flood the telephone lines when emergencies happen but e-mail can sometimes get through when calls don't.

Establish a meeting place
Having a predetermined meeting place away from your home will save time and minimize confusion should your home be affected or the area evacuated. You may even want to make arrangements to stay with a family member or friend in case of an emergency. Be sure to include any pets in these plans, since pets are not permitted in shelters and some hotels will not accept them.

Assemble a disaster supplies kit
If you need to evacuate your home or are asked to "shelter in place," having some essential supplies on hand will make you and your family more comfortable. Prepare a disaster supplies kit in an easy-to-carry container such as a duffel bag or small plastic trash can. Include "special need" items for any member of your household (infant formula or items for people with disabilities or older people), first aid supplies (including prescription medications), a change of clothing for each household member, a sleeping bag or bedroll for each, a battery powered radio or television and extra batteries, food and water and tools. It is also a good idea to include some cash and copies of important family documents (birth certificates, passports and licenses) in your kit.

Copies of essential documents like powers of attorney, birth and marriage certificates, insurance policies, life insurance beneficiary designations and a copy of your will should also be kept in a safe location outside your home. A safe deposit box or the home of a friend or family member who lives out of town qualifies.

Check on the school emergency plan of school-age children
You need to know if they will they keep children at school until a parent or designated adult can pick them up or send them home on their own. Be sure that the school has updated information about how to reach parents and responsible caregivers to arrange for pick up. And, ask what type of authorization the school may require to release a child to someone you designate, if you are not able to pick up your child. During times of emergency the school telephones may be overwhelmed with calls.

If disaster strikes

• Remain calm and be patient.
  
• Follow the advice of local emergency officials.
  
• Listen to your radio or television for news and instructions.
  
• If the disaster occurs near you, check for injuries. Give first aid and get help for seriously injured people.
  
• If the disaster occurs near your home while you are there, check for damage using a flashlight. Do not light matches or candles or turn on electrical switches. Check for fires, fire hazards and other household hazards. Sniff for gas leaks, starting at the water heater. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows, and get everyone outside quickly.
  
• Shut off any other damaged utilities.
  
• Confine or secure your pets.
  
• Call your family contact - do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.
  
• Check on your neighbors, especially those who are elderly or disabled.

Evacuation
If local authorities ask you to leave your home, they have a good reason to make this request, and you should heed the advice immediately. Listen to your radio or television and follow the instructions of local emergency officials and keep these simple tips in mind:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy shoes so you can be as protected as much as possible.
  
• Take your disaster supplies kit.
  
• Lock your home.
  
• Use travel routes specified by local authorities - don't use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
  
• Listen to local authorities. Your local authorities will provide you with the most accurate information specific to an event in your area. Staying tuned to local radio and television, and following their instructions is your safest choice.

Shelter in place
If you are advised by local officials to "shelter in place," what they mean is for you to remain inside your home or office and protect yourself there. Close and lock all windows and exterior doors. Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Close the fireplace damper. Get your disaster supplies kit, and make sure the radio is working. Go to an interior room without windows that's above ground level. In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air, and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed. Using duct tape, seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room. Stay listening to your radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.

Caring for pets
Red Cross disaster shelters cannot accept pets because of states' health and safety regulations and other considerations. Service animals that assist people with disabilities are the only animals allowed in Red Cross shelters. It may be difficult, if not impossible, to find shelter for your animals in the midst of a disaster, so plan ahead. Do not wait until disaster strikes to do your research.

Contact hotels and motels outside your immediate area to check policies on accepting pets and restrictions on number, size, and species. Ask if "no pet" policies could be waived in an emergency. Keep a list of "pet friendly" places, including phone numbers, with other disaster information and supplies. If you have notice of an impending disaster, call ahead for reservations.

Ask friends, relatives, or others outside the affected area whether they could shelter your animals. If you have more than one pet, they may be more comfortable if kept together, but be prepared to house them separately.

Prepare a list of boarding facilities and veterinarians who could shelter animals in an emergency; include 24-hour phone numbers.

Ask local animal shelters if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets in a disaster. Animal shelters may be overburdened caring for the animals they already have as well as those displaced by a disaster, so this should be your last resort.

Assemble a Portable Pet Disaster Supplies Kit
Whether you are away from home for a day or a week, you'll need essential supplies. Keep items in an accessible place and store them in sturdy containers that can be carried easily (duffle bags, covered trash containers, etc.). Your pet disaster supplies kit should include:

• Medications and medical records (stored in a waterproof container) and a first aid kit.
  
• Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and/or carriers to transport pets safely and ensure that your animals can't escape.
  
• Current photos of your pets in case they get lost.
  
• Food, potable water, bowls, cat litter/pan, and can opener.
  
• Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavior problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets.
  
• Pet beds and toys, if easily transportable.

You may not be home if an evacuation order comes. Find out if a trusted neighbor would be willing to take your pets and meet you at a prearranged location. This person should be comfortable with your pets, know where your animals are likely to be, know where your pet disaster supplies kit is kept, and have a key to your home. If you use a petsitting service, they may be available to help, but discuss the possibility well in advance.

Planning and preparation will enable you to evacuate with your pets quickly and safely. But bear in mind that animals react differently under stress. Outside your home and in the car, keep dogs securely leashed. Transport cats in carriers. Don't leave animals unattended anywhere they can run off. The most trustworthy pets may panic, hide, try to escape, or even bite or scratch. And, when you return home, give your pets time to settle back into their routines. Consult your veterinarian if any behavior problems persist.

What Could Happen

• There can be significant numbers of casualties and/or damage to buildings and the infrastructure. So employers need up-to-date information about any medical needs you may have and on how to contact your designated beneficiaries.
  
• Heavy law enforcement involvement at local, state and federal levels follows a terrorist attack due to the event's criminal nature.
  
• Health and mental health resources in the affected communities can be strained to their limits, maybe even overwhelmed.
  
• Extensive media coverage, strong public fear and international implications and consequences can continue for a prolonged period.
  
• Workplaces and schools may be closed, and there may be restrictions on domestic and international travel.
  
• You and your family or household may have to evacuate an area, avoiding roads blocked for your safety.
  
• Clean-up may take many months.

All of these recommendations make good sense, regardless of the potential problem. For more information on how to prepare for disaster, or to register for a first aid and CPR course, contact your local American Red Cross chapter.

Source: 10/02/2001, by; Susan Wyatt, KING5.com

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Last edited on ... March 15, 2007
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