Emergency Plan Manual

AHCA Form 3110-1022, Rev March 2013 Rule 59A-8.027, Florida Administrative Code http://ahca.myflorida.com/MCHQ/Health_Facility_Regulation/Home_Care/HHA/index.shtml#other . Page 50 of 54 in to contact with or have been exposed to hazardous radiation. Follow decontamination instructions from local authorities. You may be advised to take a thorough shower. Change your clothes and shoes; put exposed clothing in a plastic bag; seal it and place it out of the way. Seek medical treatment for unusual symptoms, such as nausea, as soon as possible. Listen to local radio or television stations for the latest emergency information. Ask a family member to help a neighbor who may require special assistance - infants, elderly people and people with access and functional needs may require additional assistance. People who care for them or who have large families may need additional assistance in emergency situations. Return home only when authorities say it is safe. Keep food in covered containers or in the refrigerator. Food not previously covered should be washed before being put in to containers. Pandemic: You can prepare for an influenza pandemic now. You should know both the magnitude of what can happen during a pandemic outbreak and what actions you can take to help lessen the impact of an influenza pandemic on you and your family. This checklist will help you gather the information and resources you may need in case of a flu pandemic. Be vaccinated every year. Store a two weeks supply of water and food. During a pandemic, if you cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand. This can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters. Periodically check your regular prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply in your home. Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins. Get copies and maintain electronic versions of health records from doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and other sources and store them, for personal reference. HHS provides an online tool intended to help people locate and access their electronic health records from a variety of sources. Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home. Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency response. Get involved in your community as it works to prepare for an influenza pandemic. During a pandemic: Limit the Spread of Germs and Prevent Infection Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Thunderstorms & Lightning All thunderstorms are dangerous. Every thunderstorm produces lightning. Other associated dangers of thunderstorms include tornadoes , strong winds, hail and flash flooding . Falling raindrops evaporate, but lightning can still reach the ground and can start wildfires . To prepare for a thunderstorm, you should do the following: Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage during a severe thunderstorm. Postpone outdoor activities. Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage. Get inside a home, building, or hard top automobile (not a convertible). Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer inside a vehicle than outside. Remember, rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide NO protection from lightning. However, the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal. Shutter windows and secure outside doors. If shutters are not available, close window blinds, shades or curtains. Unplug any electronic equipment well before the storm arrives. Facts about Thunderstorms: They may occur singly, in clusters or in lines. Some of the most severe occur when a single thunderstorm affects one location for an extended time. Thunderstorms typically produce heavy rain for a brief period, anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Warm, humid conditions are highly favorable for thunderstorm development. About 10 percent of thunderstorms are classified as severe – one that produces hail at least an inch or larger in diameter, has winds of 58 miles per hour or higher or produces a tornado . Facts about Lightning: Lightning’s unpredictability increases the risk to individuals and property. Lightning often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall. “Heat lightning” is actually lightning from a thunderstorm too far away from thunder to be heard. However, the storm may be moving in your direction. Most lightning deaths and injuries occur when people are caught outdoors in the summer months during the afternoon and evening. Your chances of being struck by lightning are estimated to be 1 in 600,000 but could be reduced even further by following safety precautions. Lightning strike victims carry no electrical charge and should be attended to immediately. Instructs patients if thunderstorm and lightning are occurring in their area, they should: Use your battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio for updates from local officials. Avoid contact with corded phones and devices including those plugged into electric for recharging. Cordless and wireless phones not connected to wall outlets are OK to use. Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. Unplug appliances and other electrical items such as computers and turn off air conditioners. Power surges from lightning can cause serious damage. Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes, and do not do laundry. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity. Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches. Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls. Avoid natural lightning rods such as a tall, isolated Angel Home Care Services, Inc.