The Department of Health & Family Welfare for the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu has issued a public health advisory outlining essential precautions to be taken during and after chemical (industrial) accidents. This advisory aims to educate residents and improve community preparedness in the event of such emergencies.
Precautions During and After a Chemical Accident
The advisory emphasizes the importance of remaining calm and acting quickly in a chemical emergency. Key recommendations include:
- Evacuate calmly and quickly, moving perpendicular to the wind direction using designated escape routes.
- Cover your face with a wet handkerchief, cloth, or sari during evacuation to minimize inhalation of harmful substances.
- Ensure the safety of sick, elderly, weak, handicapped individuals, and others unable to evacuate independently by keeping them indoors with all doors and windows tightly closed.
- Avoid consuming uncovered food and water exposed to the air. Drink only from sealed bottles.
- Change into fresh clothing and wash hands thoroughly after reaching a safe location.
- Contact Fire & Emergency Services (101), Police (100), and medical services (108) from a safe location.
- Monitor public address systems at the plant/factory and local radio/TV channels for official instructions from district administration, fire, health, police, and other authorities.
- Provide accurate and truthful information to government officials.
- Inform others about the event, especially in public gathering places like schools, shopping centers, and theaters.
- Do not pay attention to or spread rumors.
General Precautions for Everyday Preparedness
The advisory also provides general precautions to be taken during normal times to minimize risks and enhance preparedness:
- Do not smoke, light fires, or create sparks in identified hazardous areas.
- Communities near industrial units should be aware of the nature of the industries and associated risks.
- Keep contact numbers for nearby hazardous industries, fire stations, police stations, control rooms, health services, and the district control room readily available.
- If possible, avoid living near industries that produce or process hazardous chemicals.
- Participate in capacity-building programs organized by the government, voluntary organizations, and industrial units.
- Participate in developing community disaster management plans, including identifying safe shelters and accessible escape routes.
- Create and communicate a family disaster management plan to all family members.
- Educate family and neighbors about the characteristics of poisonous/hazardous chemicals and basic first aid measures.
- Ensure access to adequate personal protective equipment for emergency situations.
- Prepare a home emergency kit with essential items, including medicines, documents, and valuables.
