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How should the public prepare to deal with a terrorist incident?


- By adapting many of the same techniques used to prepare for other crises.
- Be alert and aware of the surrounding area. The very nature of terrorism suggests that there may be little or no warning.
- Take precautions when traveling. Be aware of conspicuous or unusual behavior. Do not accept packages from strangers. Do not leave luggage unattended.
- Learn where emergency exists are located. Think ahead about how to evacuate a building, subway, or congested public area in a hurry. Learn where staircases are located.
- Notice your immediate surroundings. Be aware of heavy or breakable objects that could move, fall, or break in an explosion.
- Listen to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcasts via radio or television. Most stockpiling or preparedness suggestions are commonsense preparations for any sort of unexpected emergency. So, don't blow all your money on a fancy gas mask. There are more useful things to get, and even die-hard survivalists rank gas masks low on their priority list. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross have provided several suggestions:

Food and Water
- Store at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of Sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight.
- One gallon of water per person per day (2 quarts for drinking, 2 quarts for sanitation/food prep)
- Minimum 3-day supply of water for each person
- Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
- Canned juices, milk (if powdered, store extra water), soup
- Staples- sugar, salt, pepper
- High-energy foods - peanut butter, jelly, cracker, granola bars, trail mix
- Vitamins
- Foods for infants, elderly people or those on a special diet
- Comfort/stress foods - cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, and tea bags
- First Aid Kit - For any accidents it's good to have a few medical supplies. You can buy a first-aid kit, but once again it's not difficult to put together your own. Just go into a drugstore and grab a few things. Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.


A First Aid Kit should include:

-- Sterile adhesive bandages-assorted sizes

-- Hypoallergenic adhesive tape

-- Scissors

-- Needle

-- Antiseptic

-- Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant

-- Cleansing agent & soap

-- Sunscreen

-- Anti-diarrhea medication

-- Syrup of Ipecac (to induce vomiting)

-- 2 Tongue blades

-- 4 to 6 2" sterile gauze pads 4 to 6 4" sterile gauze pads

-- 3 Triangular bandages 3 rolls of 2" sterile roller bandages 3 rolls of 3" sterile roller bandages

-- Tweezers

-- Moistened towelettes

-- Thermometer

-- Assorted sizes of safety pins

-- 2 pairs of Latex gloves

-- Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever

-- Antacid (for stomach upset)

-- Laxative Activated Charcoal



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