Health & Safety

Recovering from disaster is usually a gradual process. Safety is a primary issue, as are mental and physical well-being. If assistance is available, knowing how to access it makes the process faster and less stressful.

Your first concern after a disaster is your family’s health and safety. You need to consider possible safety issues and monitor family health and well-being.

Aiding The Injured

• Administer first aid and seek medical attention for any injured person following a disaster.
• Check for injuries. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of death or further injury. 
• If you must move an unconscious person, first stabilize the neck and back, then call for help immediately.
• If the victim is not breathing, carefully position the victim for artificial respiration, clear the airway and commence mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
• Maintain body temperature with blankets. Be sure the victim does not become overheated.
• Never try to feed liquids to an unconscious person.

Health Issues

• Be aware of exhaustion. Get enough rest.
• Don’t try to do too much at once. Set priorities and pace yourself. 
• Drink plenty of clean water. Eat well.
• Wear sturdy work boots and gloves.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water often when working in debris.

Safety Issues

• Be aware of new safety issues created by the disaster. 
• Watch for washed out roads, contaminated buildings, contaminated water, gas leaks, broken glass, damaged electrical wiring and slippery floors.
• Inform local authorities about health and safety issues, including chemical spills, downed power lines, washed out roads, smoldering insulation and dead animals.