Fire Safety ∙ Earthquake ∙ Tornado ∙ Hazardous Materials ∙ Winter Storms ∙ Terrorist Attack

FIRE SAFETY
Make your home as safe as possible.  Ensure that you have smoke detectors properly installed.  Check their operation monthly. Change the batteries twice annually.   You should have at least one ABC rated fire extinguisher.  Install it near an escape path. 

Install Carbon Monoxide detectors as per manufacturer’s instructions for installation, testing and maintenance.  Know the difference between the sound your carbon monoxide detector makes and the one your smoke alarms makes.  They each warn against different threats.  Your response to each will be different.

EARTHQUAKE
You cannot make your home earthquake proof, but you can make it more resistant to seismic shocks and make it safer for you while inside.  Here is a list of things that you can do to make sure that your home is safer.

• Place beds away from windows. 
• Install safety film on windows to prevent shattering. 
• Place heavy objects closer to the floor
• If you must hang heavy items, do not hang them above or near chairs, beds, sofas or places where children play. 
• Put strong latches on cabinets
• Secure items such as television sets, radios and other appliances.
• Replace your rigid waterlines with flexible lines.
• If you have gas appliances, use flexible lines for their supply.
• Strap water heaters and similar appliances so that they do not fall over.
• Identify places in your home that can make a shelter in case of earthquake such as sturdy tables, places next to an inside wall or in a doorway.

Develop a family escape plan.  Escape plans always include a meeting point outside your residence. Have two escape paths for each room, a primary and a secondary.  Make sure that everyone can easily unlock and open the windows and doors that are designated for escape. If your doors or windows have security bars, they must be equipped with a quick release mechanism.   In case of a fire, or if structural damage has occurred to the building, do not use the elevator. 

TORNADO
Most of the safeguards that you install in your home for an earthquake are equally effective in a tornado.  You want to secure and store objects as described in the section covering earthquakes.  In addition to having to watch for falling objects, you also are in danger of being hit by flying objects.  If you have a basement, go there.  Otherwise, get in the interior part of the house, such as closets or small hallways, and away from windows and doors. 

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SPILL OR LEAK
The Sikeston Department of Public Safety is the hub of a Regional Hazardous Material Team.  Its members are trained to handle all types these events.  The first priority of the Department is to ensure that safety and well-being Sikeston’s citizens and visitors.  Should a hazardous material event occur, please listen to the local radio and television stations, as well as the City’s weather warning system.  Instructions will be given to you, using these media. 

Should a hazardous material event occur, listed below is the safest course of action:

• Do not drive through any clouds of material or smoke.
• Stay away from the haz-mat site.
• Listen to the news for instructions.
• Follow the instructions that are given.
• If you are told to remain in your home, make sure that all windows and doors are closed. If you are told to turn off your air conditioner and heater, do so.
• Do not come outside unless you are told to do so.  If you are told to leave your home, leave as quickly and orderly as possible.

WINTER STORMS
With the past few years of warmer winters, it is easy to get complacent with the weather, and develop the attitude that down here we don’t have winter storms.  Those that were around in the late ‘60s through the early ‘80s can testify that Sikeston is prone to winter storms that are capable of shutting down entire areas.  Weather is cyclical and we will be experiencing this type of weather again.

Learn the difference between watch and warning.  A watch means that conditions are such that a winter storm warning may occur.  A warning means that the storm is approaching and will strike. 

Like all other disasters, preparation prior to the event is the best precaution. Winterize your home by ensuring you have sufficient insulation in your walls and attic.  Have storm windows installed and weather-strip the doors.   Wrap pipes with insulation to keep them from freezing.  Old newspapers will work well for pipe insulation, as well.  If you rent, ask your landlord about these changes.   Make sure that you car is winterized.   Get a tune up and have the anti-freeze checked or replaced prior to winter. 

Keep extra fuel on hand.  However, use extreme caution when burning fuel in a building.  The heater must be well ventilated or it will create an asphyxiation hazard.  Keep all combustibles away from the heat source. 

If the heat goes off, close off unused rooms.  Use bed clothing or heavy material to seal off any drafts.  Dress in layers of lightweight clothing.  Keep your hands and feet warm.  Wear a hat.  To help prevent hypothermia, do not sleep for long periods.  If you are with someone else, sleep in shifts.  Do light exercises to warm up, but avoid sweating or getting chilled. 

Some other common sense tips to remember are: 

• Stay indoors unless it is absolutely necessary that you go outside.

• Eat regularly so that your body will be able to produce energy to keep you warm.

• Lower the thermostat to conserve fuel.

If you must go out, take thermal blankets and extra clothing with you.  If you get stuck while out, remain in your car.  Keep a cell phone with you so that you can call for help.  Attach a brightly colored cloth or other brightly colored object to the exterior of the car so that rescuers can find you.  DO NOT RUN THE ENGINE for more than ten minutes per hour.  This will conserve fuel, but will also prevent carbon monoxide build up.

TERRORIST ATTACK
Sikeston is probably not a primary target for a terrorist attack.  However, with its proximity to St. Louis and Memphis, Paducah with its nuclear processing plant, and the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, Sikeston could very easily be a secondary target, or a target of convenience, should an attack on one of the previously mentioned targets fail.  Should a terrorist attack occur, you will be instructed as to what actions to take.  Typically, the same safeguards that apply to hazardous material incidents will apply to a terrorist attack. 

The best protection that you have against a terrorist attack is for you to remain alert.  This is especially true if you are in a major airport.  Do not leave your shopping bags, brief cases, luggage or other personal property unattended.  DO NOT IGNORE SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR.  Report any suspicious behavior to the proper authorities.

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