DPH URGES DELAWAREANS TO BE PREPARED FOR IRENE

Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) urges Delawareans to begin preparations to keep their families, homes and provisions safe with the threat of Hurricane Irene in our weekend forecast.

At minimum, residents should obtain bottled water at one gallon per person per day for at least three days, and non-perishable foods in preparation for potential power failure and problems with water systems. Those who need prescription medications should have at least a three day supply of medicine available to them. Home maintenance and safety measures are also important to prevent injuries and indoor air quality problems, as are instructions on how to "shelter in place" and maintain wellness in the event of a disaster.

DPH offers the tips below to help Delawareans prepare:

Sheltering In Place:

In the event of a disaster, officials may advise Delawareans and visitors to "shelter in place," or stay at their current location. This recommendation protects individuals from hazards in the community due to disastrous conditions. Travel may be dangerous or it may not be possible to evacuate during or immediately after a storm or emergency situation.

The following steps are recommended for individuals who have to shelter in place during a hurricane:

• Bring in pets.
• Locate battery-operated or hand-crank radio, flashlights and batteries.
• 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 turn on the radio.
• Go to an interior room without windows that's above ground level.
• Listen to your radio, car radio or television for instruction until storm has passed.

Food Safety:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests these actions to keep foods safe during disasters and loss of power:

• Purchase shelf-stable food, bread, boxed or canned milk and canned goods as an emergency food supply. Be sure to keep a hand-held can opener for an emergency. Keep emergency food on a shelf safe from floodwaters.
• Remember to include baby formula and pet food as needed.
• Never taste food or rely on appearance or odor to determine its safety. If food contains ice crystals or is 40 F or below, it is safe to refreeze.
• Keep meat, poultry, fish and eggs refrigerated at or below 40 F and frozen food at or below 0 F. Keep appliance thermometers in the refrigerator and freezer at all times.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to maintain the cold temperatures. Foods will keep safely cold for about four hours in an unopened refrigerator. Frozen foods will keep safely frozen for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) in a closed freezer. If the freezer is not full, place items close together.
• Fifty pounds of dry ice should keep a full 18-cubic foot freezer cold for two days. Coolers and frozen gel packs can help keep food cold if the power will be out more than four hours.

Precautions to prevent problems that could lead to mold, indoor air quality, or injury:

• Clear rain gutters and downspouts.
• Make sure sump pumps are working. Check the float and see if the switch triggers properly.
• Use tape and plastic to temporarily close gaps around windows and doors.
• Clear outside drains of debris, using a snake if needed.
• If your well pump has been flooded, do not turn on the breaker until an electrician has checked it. This places you in danger of receiving an electric shock.
• Do not use portable generators or gas motor pumps indoors. Exhaust from such equipment releases dangerous carbon monoxide into the air.
• Tie down or store lawn furniture or unanchored outdoor items to avoid damage or injury in the event of high winds.

Coping with stressful emergencies:

People in the path of a hurricane or other natural emergency may experience stress or worry about an event which may adversely affect households and communities with injury, loss of life, home and possessions. Be aware of short-term stress symptoms and that they affect adults and children differently.

Symptoms of such stress in adults could include anxious, suspicious, depressed, or indecisive behavior and may use or increase their consumption of drugs or alcohol.

Children may be frightened, sad, anxious or clingy, maybe even a little angry. Assure children they are safe, and encourage them to talk about their feelings and reactions to the situation. Answer their questions honestly and use words and concepts they can understand.

Elderly citizens who are stressed may exhibit symptoms including changes in behavior such as complaining more about physical aches and pains, confusion, and childish, passive or clinging behavior.

To reduce stress, DPH recommends:

• Reducing the consumption of sugar, caffeine, fatty foods and especially alcohol.
• Take care of personal issues one at a time and a day at a time. Don't get over tired.
• Be patient with others.
• Talk with friends, family and clergy, or seek support from community organizations and health care professionals. A support network is essential in a disaster situation.
• Realize that it may take time to restore complete normalcy both physically and emotionally.

If flooding occurs:

Flooding can introduce impurities to both public and private drinking water sources. Property owners with individual private wells should be aware of potential health hazards should their wells become submerged. This is especially critical for drinking water wells with wellheads that are above ground. Buried wells are less susceptible to the affects of flooding and are not likely to be adversely impacted. As a precaution, have enough bottled water to provide one gallon per person per day.

If you suspect your drinking water wellhead has become flooded, take the following precautions:

• Boil tap water for one minute and let it cool before drinking or using it to cook, bathe or wash dishes.
• Test your well water before using it. DPH will provide free drinking water test kits to detect contamination from bacteria and nitrates. Test kits will be available at the following sites:
  • University Plaza, Chopin Bldg
    258 Chapman Rd., Newark
    (302) 283-7100
  • Thomas Collins Bldg.
    540 S. DuPont Highway, Dover
    (302) 744-1000
  • Delaware Public Health Laboratory
    30 Sunnyside Rd., Smyrna
    (302) 653-2870
  • Adams State Service Center
    544 S. Bedford St., Georgetown
    (302) 856-5496

Please remember that preparation is critical in reducing injury or discomfort during and after weather related emergencies.

For more information, see DPH's website at www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/php/index.html or visit the Delaware Emergency Management Administration (DEMA) website at www.dema.delaware.gov/.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.