Guest Column
Submitted for
publication in the Galveston County Daily News
May 27, 2009
Getting
“Hurricane-Ready” For Your Health!
Our community’s experience with Hurricane
Ike will be forever etched in history and in the memories of those who
experienced it. Amid the physical destruction and economic losses, were
numerous health threats, loss of public health and medical infrastructure,
illnesses, injuries, and 18 reported deaths. With hurricane season once
again upon us, it is important that residents prepare for evacuation,
flooding, and many other hurricane-related consequences that may impact our
communities.
Being prepared saves lives. Here’s what
you can do.
The first thing to do is have emergency
supplies on hand and ready to go. If you wait until just before a storm,
you may find many supplies out of stock in local markets. For a complete
list of suggested items, see the Galveston County Health District website at
www.gchd.org/bt/btnatural.htm;
however, here are few commonly needed supplies:
·
A 7 day supply of
non-perishable food that needs no cooking
·
A hand operated can opener
·
Plenty of drinking water. A
good rule of thumb is to have two gallons of water per day for each person
·
A first aid kit with
bandages, antibiotic ointment, etc.
·
At least a two week supply
of medications with backup prescriptions
·
Plenty of hand sanitizer,
toilet paper, and paper towels
·
A battery powered radio and
flashlight including with extra batteries for each
·
Baby formula, bottles,
powdered milk and diapers with wipes, as needed
·
Cash, ATM’s may not be
working
·
Copies of important family
documents, birth certificates, insurance/bank account information, etc.
·
Photo identification
Be ready to evacuate quickly by having
plenty of gasoline in your vehicle at all times. In addition, obtain
supplies to quickly secure your home, inform loved ones of your evacuation
plans and contact numbers, obtain a tetanus shot if you have not had one in
ten years, and obtain additional supplies you may need to return to your
home after a hurricane. Recommended supplies needed upon return to an area
hit by a hurricane include: thick long-sleeved shirts and long pants,
protective gloves, protective footwear such as work boots, bleach/cleaning
supplies, face mask for potential exposure to odors, toxins and mold,
mosquito spray, and any tools you may need such as a shovel.
For evacuations, residents with special
medical needs should register for assistance by calling 2-1-1. City of
Galveston residents should call 797-3710 to register for assistance. People
with special medical needs should also heed warnings of local health
authorities. For example, in the aftermath of Hurricane IKE, Galveston
Island lost medical and public health infrastructure. For a period of
time, it was unsafe for persons with special medical needs to return to the
island due to the lack of an emergency room, very limited primary care,
limited availability of medications and other medical supplies, as well as
the lack of a local shelter that could care for persons with special needs.
Local officials will advise such residents
when it is appropriate to return to an area impacted by a hurricane. Our
goal is to first assure that the local community can adequately care for
persons with special needs before advising a return to the area.
Keep in mind during the Hurricane Season
the many health threats faced after Hurricane IKE and what you can do to
protect the health and safety of you, your loved ones, and your neighbors.
Some of the many threats include:
·
Food-borne illnesses.
Identify and throw away food
that may not be safe to eat. Throw away food that may have come in contact
with storm water. Throw away perishable foods that have been above 40◦F for
2 hours or more.
·
Water-borne illnesses.
Do not use water until you
receive word that it is safe. Local authorities will tell you if tap water
is safe to drink or to use for cooking and bathing.
·
Carbon monoxide
poisoning. Don’t use a
generator, pressure washer, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline or
charcoal-burning device inside your home, garage or near a window, door, or
vent.
·
Animal bites.
Beware of wild or stray animals.
After a hurricane stray animals and snakes may be frightened and dangerous.
Take precautions to avoid animal bites.
·
Electrical and fire
hazards. NEVER touch a fallen
power line. Call the power company to report fallen lines. Avoid contact
with overhead lines during cleanup. Do not burn candles near flammable
items or leave a candle unattended. If possible, use flashlights or other
battery operated lights instead of candles.
·
Toxic chemical
exposures. Beware of hazardous
materials. Wear protective clothing and gear. Wash skin that may
have come in contact with hazardous chemicals.
·
Injuries and wounds.
Clean open wounds and cuts with soap and clean water. Apply an antibiotic
ointment. Contact a doctor to find out whether more treatments, such as a
tetanus shot, may be needed. If a wound gets red, swells, or drains, seek
medical attention.
·
Physical and emotional
stress. Set priorities for
cleanup tasks, and pace the work. If possible, do not work alone. Heat
exhaustion can be serious and should be avoided with proper fluid intake and
taking breaks.
At all times, being prepared, being aware
of health and safety precautions, and practicing excellent hygiene will help
protect your health. Remember always to frequently wash your hands. Use
soap and water or if water isn’t available, use alcohol-based products.
While we would certainly hope to not have
another storm this season, a hurricane is a real threat annually for Gulf
coast communities. Planning now, instead of later, will safeguard your most
precious asset – your personal health.
Harlan “Mark” Guidry, MD,
MPH
Galveston County Health
District
CEO & Galveston
County Health Authority
Published in the
Galveston County Daily News
June
1, 2009
For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston
County Health District
(409) 938-2211
kkoopman@gchd.org
