I POWER OUTAGE After the Power Outage • When power is restored, plug in appliances one by one, waiting a few minutes between each one. This will prevent overloading the system. • Be patient. Energy may first be restored to police and fire departments and hospitals. • Examine your frozen food. If it still contains ice crystal, it may be refrozen. If meat is off-color or has an odd odor, throw it away. | GAS LEAKS Emergency Control of Gas • If you detect the smell of natural gas, leave your house immediately. Do not use any electrical device. • Check house piping, appliances and vents for damage. • Check for fires or fire hazards. • Do not use matches, lighters or other open flames. • Do not operate electrical switches, appliances or battery-operated devices if you suspect natural gas leaks. This could create sparks that could ignite gas from broken lines. • If gas line breakage is suspected, evacuate immediately and shut off the gas at the meter. • Turn on a battery-operated radio if no gas leaks are found or a car radio to receive disaster instructions. • Do not use your telephone except in extreme emergency situations. • Call 911 from a neighbor's house. -36 EXPLOSIONS | If there is an Explosion • Take shelter against your desk or a sturdy table. • Exit the building ASAP. • Do not use elevators. • Check for fire and other hazards. • Take your emergency supply kit if time allows. • Help others and provide first aid as necessary. If there is a Fire • Exit the building ASAP. • Crawl low if there is smoke • Use a wet cloth, if possible, to cover your nose and mouth. • Use the back of your hand to feel the upper, lower, and middle parts of closed doors. • If the door is not hot, brace yourself against it and open slowly. • If the door is hot, do not open it. Look for another way out. • Do not use elevators • If you catch fire, do not run. Stop, drop, and roll to put out the fire. • If you are at home, go to a previously designated meeting place. • Account for your family members and carefully supervise small children. • Never go back into a burning building. If You Are Trapped in Debris • If possible, use a flashlight to signal your location to rescuers. • Avoid unnecessary movement so that you don't kick up dust. • Cover your nose and mouth with anything you have on hand. (Dense-weave cotton material can act as a good filter. Try to breathe through the material.) • Tap on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can hear where you are. • If possible, use a whistle to signal rescuers. • Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause a person to inhale dangerous amounts of dust. 37