Be Prepared
- Know ahead of time how you can be alerted to local emergencies.
- Teach your family how to evacuate or shelter-in-place.
- Be aware of where hazardous materials are handled, stored or transported near you.
- Pay attention to labels on the sides of chemical containers and trucks.
React Quickly
- If you witness a hazardous materials release, report it immediately by calling 911.
- If you hear a warning signal or siren, turn on your television or radio for emergency information. Follow all instructions carefully.
- If asked to evacuate or shelter-in-place, do so immediately.
- Do not enter the area contaminated by the hazardous material or cloud, and avoid any contact with it.
- If the hazardous material gets on you or you inhale it, you are exposed.
- Try to keep a safe distance from others so you don’t contaminate more people.
- If you can get the material off by removing clothing or brushing it off, do that immediately.
- Try to be mindful of where you put contaminated clothing. If you wash off the chemical, be careful where the water goes.
- After a Hazardous Materials Emergency:
- Do not return to the evacuated area until authorities say it is safe.
- Persons or property exposed to hazardous materials may be contaminated.
- Do not eat any food that was exposed to a hazardous material.
- Follow decontamination instructions given by authorities to clean up property or the environment.
Hazardous Materials Disposal
- Household hazardous materials may be disposed of at the Hamilton County Household Hazardous Waste Center.