Guide in pdf format

Technological Hazards

GENERAL

   If you reside or are often found in an area with technological dangers (you can be informed on their types from the Services of the Prefectural Self-Administration) you should know that in cases of technological dangers you have two choices: shelter in a closed space or evacuation. For the potential choice of the two theoretical possibilities, you will be informed by the competent authorities.

   For your greatest protection:

• Follow the instructions given by the authorities.
• Study and become familiar with the below General Instructions in order to put them into practice properly, in case no Specific Instructions are given.

   PREVENTIVE ACTIONS

   To put into practice the specific instructions that will be given during an accident or the general instructions proposed below, one should:

   Before the accident

   Make provisions of or have available in the same area or easy to bring together quickly the following:

• Sufficient quantity of adhesive insulating tape.
• Scissors.
• Plates of plastic (cut in appropriate size) and plastic rubbish bags.
• Towels and cloths.
• Battery radio (with the batteries not inside the radio but beside the radio, otherwise they should often be checked).
• Battery torch (with the batteries not inside the torch but beside the torch, otherwise they should often be checked).
• New batteries.
• Bottled water (small quantity).
• Packed up food (small quantity).
• Soap.
• First aid kit.
• Necessary medicine for the family members.
• Decide on the most suitable room that offers the greatest possible protection. Factors to be taken into account: room in the center of the house, with the minimum number of airtight doors and windows, communicating with the bathroom or the WC, windows not to be found in the side of the danger, without any openings to prevent the circulation of air from the environment (fireplaces, air-conditioning systems, etc) if the house has more than one floors, it is advisable that you choose a room in the last floor.
• Drive with great care when driving near industrial plants or near vehicles transporting dangerous material.
• After reading all the instructions discuss them with the family members.

During the accident

    Stay in a closed area or recourse to a closed area
Your aim is to protect your health avoiding entrance of dangerous chemicals in your house and protecting yourself against possible explosions (primary and secondary fragmnets) and exposure to thermal radiation.

   If inside (instructions by order of priority)

• Keep your temper.
• Keep the radio and/or the tv on, watch the announcements and follow the instructions.
• Close all the windows and the external doors of the house (do not lock them).
• Do not use the elevator.
• Close the outside or inner doors of the building (do not lock them).
• Turn off all the air conditioning systems either they belong to the central system or not.
• Turn off the ventilators.
• Cover the cracks (four sides) in doors and windows using adhesive insulating tape. Damp towels or blankets can be used however it is more advisable to use adhesive insulating tape or a combination of towels and tape. Cover the lock with the tape as well as door handle.
• Secure using plastic plates (cut in advance in proper dimension) and adhesive insulating plate the entry of fireplace, all entries of chimney-pots and ventilation systems, the doors and the windows.
• Turn off all heating systems.
• Do not use bottles of liquid gas.
• Close the inner doors of your house.
• Go to the pre-decided room.
• Stay away from the windows.
• Do not use improperly the phone (stable or mobile).
• If, despite all actions taken, dangerous gas gets in the building, roll up a towel or a cloth and cover your mouth and nose and draw small breaths.

   Take into account the time at your disposal.

     If in another building

• Keep your temper
• Try to contribute to the implementation of the building plan.

    If in a vehicle

• Keep your temper.
• Close and keep closed the windows, turn off the air conditioning and the ventilators.
• Look for a building where you can take refuge and stop your car carefully. If this is not possible, stay in the car.
• Have the radio on, listen to the announcements and follow the instructions given by the authorities.

    Evacuation

• Keep your temper.
• If asked by the authorities evacuate the region, follow the advised ways of escape.
• Have the radio on, listen to the announcements and follow the instructions given by the authorities.
• If you have enough time, close the doors, the windows and turn off the air conditioning systems of your house to slow down pollution.

   If outside or near the place of accident

• Keep your temper, try to protect yourself and then offer your help only if you know how you must act.
• Move away from the place of the accident as soon as possible.
• Do not walk or touch unnecessarily places having leakage of chemicals.
• Do not smoke.
• Try to cover your body as much as possible and “filter” the air you breathe from dangerous gas, dust or droplets. Roll up a towel or a cloth and cover your mouth and nose and draw small breaths.

   If you are

• Downwind the place of the accident (place B, below) move away vertically to the direction of the wind
• Upwind the place of accident (place A, below) move away against the direction of the wind and the flow of waters.

• colored danger plates in rhombus (red, yellow, blue, etc) some figure (explosion of bomb, black or white flame, skull and crossbones, etc) and number in the lower angel (1.1,3,4 etc)

• buildings near the place of the accident (installations, buildings, schools, lakes, manholes, etc)
• Do not hang up unless the operator tells you to do so. Further information might be needed.

    IF EXPOSED IN A CHEMICAL

Call for medical assistance:
• The Poison Control Center
• The National Center of Emergency Care
It is not possible to give general instructions for every case of exposure to a dangerous chemical (poisoning, chemical burn) which may affect your health. Nevertheless if you take further steps you can reduce the possibility of pollution to the detriment of your health.
If a dangerous substance comes in contact with your eyes it is important that you act immediately. Any delay may increase the possibility of serious harm. Unless informed otherwise, you should:

• Rinse out your hands quickly
• Remove the contact lenses
• Rinse out each eye without much pressure using warm water moving from the nose to the exterior part of the eye for at least 15 minutes. Continue until you have no trouble at all
• Ask for medical treatment
• If you have sound suspicions that you have been exposed to a dangerous substance
  • Take off the cloths if they are polluted
• Take them off in a way not to come in touch with your face. If this is not possible tear them or snip off with scissors
• Put the cloths in plastic bags or in a bin
• If possible wash yourself using water
• Wait for medical assistance