CPR and first aid are often required in emergencies. Administer CPR only if you are trained. Contact the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or the YMCA for information about training.
(As featured in Fall 2018 newsletter edition of Iberville Parish Safety News and posted at www.i-caer.org.)
https://i-caer.org/safety-news-volume-5-issue-2/
Massive bleeding from any cause, but particularly from an active shooter or explosive event where a response is delayed can result in death. Similar to how the general public learned and now routinely performs CPR, the public would benefit from learning proper bleeding control techniques, including how to use their hands, dressings, and tourniquets. Victims can quickly die from uncontrolled bleeding, within five to 10 minutes. However, anyone at the scene can act as immediate responder and save lives if they know what to do. BleedingControl.org is an initiative of the American College of Surgeons and the Hartford Consensus and contains diagrams, news, videos, and other resources contributed by a variety of other private and nonprofit partners to help prepare you in the event you are witness to one of these events.
If you are interested in enrolling in a Stop the Bleed class or would like us to host a class at your business, contact Yvette Legendre Yvette.legendre@la.gov or Ted Colligan ted.colligan@la.gov.
CALL 9-1-1
Some of the products that should be locked up and out of sight and reach of children and pets include:
NEVER tell children that medicine is candy, or that it tastes good. Don’t take medicine in front of children since they like to imitate adults.
Have Syrup of Ipecac on hand and only use if instructed to do so by Poison Control or a physician.
When speaking with Poison Control or the doctor, have the container and pills, or object that was in the mouth, and, if possible, the child with you.
For pet poisoning, contact your veterinarian or Poison Control.
Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated, or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day. Individuals at risk should stay in the coolest available place.
Take Cool Baths Or Showers. Cool water can remove body heat 25 times faster than cool air.
Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing that reflects heat and sunlight.
Drink plenty of water or other non-alcohol fluids. Drink water, fruit juices or sport drinks that can help replenish lost salts and minerals. These are preferable to soft drinks, coffee or alcohol, which can further dehydrate you.
Lay down and loosen clothing.
Apply cool, wet cloths.
Fan or move victim to an air conditioned room.
Provide sips of water. If nausea occurs, discontinue. If vomiting continues, seek immediate medical attention.
HEAT STROKE IS A SEVERE MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
CALL 911 OR GET THE VICTIM TO A HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. DELAY CAN BE FATAL.
Never go back into a burning house.
(Information from www.ready.gov, official website of the Department of Homeland Security.)
In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames.
In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so you and your family must always be prepared. Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly.
Twice each year, practice your home fire escape plan. Some tips to consider when preparing this plan include:
The following checklist serves as a quick reference and guide for you to follow after a fire strikes.
A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire.
NOTE: There are a variety of Smoke Alarms for People with Access or Functional Needs including visually and hearing impaired.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning occurs when an internal combustion engine or improperly adjusted fuel-burning appliance is operated in a closed area without fresh air.
The early stages of CO exposure includes headaches, dizziness, drowsiness. A conscious victim may look or act intoxicated. Other symptoms include blurred vision, irritability, and an inability to concentrate. Severe cases cause nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, convulsions, unconsciousness, and eventually death.
If the victim is unconscious, move him/her to an area with fresh air and place him/her on his/her side with his/her head resting on an arm. If the victim is not breathing, begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and CPR if necessary and call 911.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) offers a wealth of information. Visit www.cdc.gov to learn about viruses and their prevention. The CDC will serve as a useful resource regarding other viruses, pandemics and bioterrorism at www.cdc.gov.
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. Risk of infection with COVID-19 is higher for people who are close contacts of someone known to have COVID-19, for example healthcare workers, or household members. The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of
Some patients have pneumonia in both lungs, multi-organ failure and in some cases death.
If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should
Visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html to learn about this disease and access various useful downloads.
Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 If You Are Sick
Limit close contact with others as much as possible (about 6 feet)
West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes and can cause illness in people and animals.
How to Protect Against Mosquito Bites
Zika can be transmitted:
Many people infected with Zika virus won’t have symptoms or will only have mild symptoms. The most common symptoms of Zika are
Symptoms can last for several days to a week. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. Once a person has been infected with Zika, they are likely to be protected from future infections.
Zika infection during pregnancy can cause a birth defect of the brain called microcephaly and other severe brain defects. It is also linked to other problems, such as miscarriage, stillbirth, and other birth defects. There have also been increased reports of Guillain-Barré syndrome, an uncommon sickness of the nervous system, in areas affected by Zika.
There is no vaccine to prevent Zika. The best way to prevent diseases spread by mosquitoes is to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites.
There is no specific medicine or vaccine for Zika virus.
Treat the symptoms:
Call Iberville Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness at 225-687-5140 to:
For further information visit: www.getagameplan.org
Making plans for your family is extremely important. Don’t forget to plan for the animals in you life, too! The location of your evacuation destination may or may not accept pets, so call ahead and check. Animal shelters will be set up in various parts of the state on an “as-needed” basis. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry works year-round with the Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART) to provide sheltering opportunities. Species-specific disaster preparedness advice is available at www.lsart.org.
Create an emergency kit to keep your pet comfortable for three days including the following items:
First, use perishable food from the refrigerator, then use food from the freezer. To minimize the number of times you open the freezer door, post a list of contents on the freezer door. In a well-insulated freezer, foods will usually still have ice crystals in their centers (meaning the foods are safe to eat) for at least three days. Finally, begin to use nonperishable foods and staples.
For emergency cooking, you can use a fireplace, a charcoal grill, or camp stove outdoors only. You can also heat food with a candle warmer, chafing dishes, and fondue pots. Canned food can be eaten right out of the can. If you heat it in the can, be sure to open the can and remove the label first. Rotate your food supply. Use foods before they go bad and replace them with fresh supplies, dated with ink or marker. Place new items at the back of the storage area and older ones in front.
Your emergency food supply should be of the highest quality possible. Inspect your reserves periodically to make sure there are no broken seals or dented containers.
Place paper or waxed packages in a watertight container, such as a larger plastic bag. This will keep them dry and make them easier to carry.
Safety Town educates Kindergarten students about important safety topics through hands-on activities, music and videos. Safety Town is merely one way Iberville Parish Emergency Operations, Local Emergency Preparedness Committee (LEPC) and Iberville Community Awareness/Emergency Response (I-CAER) exemplifies their commitment to public safety and preparedness.
During Safety Town, the students receive lessons on what to do when the siren sounds for bad weather or a chemical spill. Safety Town turtle mascot “Wally Wise Guy” demonstrates when and how to Shelter-In-Place. Other safety lessons include how to correctly report an emergency by calling “911” on the telephone, fire safety principles like “stop, drop and roll,” and general personal safety, such as not playing with guns. Students navigate through Safety Town on tricycles with seat belts and helmets, learning pedestrian, car and railroad crossing safety. Students decorate bicycle helmets with sponsor logos and bring them home. Iberville Sheriff’s Department and Fire Department explain their jobs and roles, allowing children to scoot through the back seat of a patrol car and examine a fire truck.
Wally Wise Guy is a turtle that teaches people to Shelter-In-Place. Whenever there is danger, he quickly retreats inside his shell. To be safe during an emergency, please:
Wait for the all clear before going outdoors.
The Eddie the Eagle GunSafe® program and his Wing team teach students about gun safety.
If you come across a gun: “STOP! DON’T TOUCH. RUN AWAY. TELL A GROWN-UP.”
https://wethekids.us/the-eddie-eagle-gunsafe-program/
The Iberville Office of Emergency Preparedness/9-1-1 dispatchers use a simulator and teach children to dial 9-1-1 and share their emergency with the operator. They also teach the children their home address and the importance and seriousness of calls to 9-1-1.
Parents: Please make sure your child(children) know their home address and main telephone number.
When riding, always:
For more information on bicycle safety, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Web site at: www.nhtsa.dot.gov
Parents: Do not use cell phones while driving. Never leave your children alone in the vehicle.
A train hits someone in America every 115 minutes, often with fatal results. According to Operation Lifesaver, a national non-profit organization, nearly 2,000 Americans are killed and injured at highway/rail grade crossings each year.
There are many simple and life-saving practices to help you avoid a confrontation with a train at a railroad crossing.
Remember to look, listen and live. Stopping may add 30 seconds to your journey while not stopping could put an end to it completely. ANY TIME IS TRAIN TIME! Remember to practice safety. Don’t learn it by accident.
Floods occur during or after heavy rains, when snow melts too quickly, or when dams break. At these times, rivers may over‑ow their banks, and local culverts and ditches may overflow and become dangerous. Floods that happen quickly are called flash floods. Flooding may be only a few inches of water or it may cover a house to its roof. However, even the smallest of floods can be dangerous if you are not prepared. It only takes a few inches of flood water on a road to carry away even large vehicles. The best rule to follow is “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” ™
For more information on flooding and flood safety, visit www.focusonfloods.org and www.weather.gov/safety/flood.
Iberville Parish Firemen dress in full gear to show children they are not monsters, but dressed for fire safety to save them in the event of a home fire. They teach stop, drop and roll.
Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Department and local police arrive in patrol cars and encourage students to scoot through the back seat. The goal is to establish trust between residents and law enforcement, showing students police want to help.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch: advises when and where severe thunderstorms are most likely to occur. Watch the sky and stay tuned to TV or radio to know when warnings are issued.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: issued when severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property for those in the path of the storm.
FLASH FLOOD OR FLOOD WATCH: Flash flooding or flooding is possible within the designated WATCH area-be alert.
FLASH FLOOD OR FLOOD WARNING: Flash flooding or flooding has been reported or is imminent, take necessary precautions at once.
URBAN AND SMALL STREAM ADVISORY: Flooding of small streams, streets, and low-lying areas, such as; railroad underpasses and urban storm drains, is occurring.
FLASH FLOOD OR FLOOD STATEMENT: Follow-up information regarding a flash flood/flood event.
HEAD FOR HIGHER GROUND AND STAY AWAY FROM FLOOD WATERS!
If you live in a flood-prone area, consider purchasing Federal flood insurance, which will cover the value of a building and its contents. You can call 888-FLOOD-29 to learn more about Federal flood insurance.
To learn more about flood hazard mitigation, visit FEMA’s website at: http://www.floodsmart.gov
Stocking water reserves and learning how to purify contaminated water should be among your top priorities in preparing for an emergency.
You should store at least a two-week supply of water for each member of your family. Everyone’s needs will differ, depending on age, physical condition, activity, diet and climate.
A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more.
You will need additional water forfood preparation and hygiene. Store a total of at least one gallon per person, per day. If your supplies begin to run low, remember: Never ration water. Drink the amount you need today and try to find more for tomorrow.
STORING WATER: Store water in thoroughly washed plastic, glass,
fiberglass, or enamel-lined metal containers. Never use a container that has held toxic
substances because tiny amounts may remain in the container’s pores. Sound plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles, are best.
Before storing your water, treat it with a preservative such as chlorine bleach to prevent the growth of microorganisms. Use liquid bleach that contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite and no soap. Some containers warn, “Not for Personal Use.” You can disregard these warnings if the label states sodium hypochlorite is the only active ingredient and if you use only the small quantities in these instructions.
Purification Tablets release chlorine or iodine. They are inexpensive and available at most sporting goods stores and some drug stores.
Boiling is the safest method of purifying water. Bring water to a rolling boil for 10 minutes, keeping in mind that some water will evaporate. Let the water cool before drinking. Boiled water will taste better if you put oxygen back into it by pouring it back and forth between two containers. This will also improve the taste of stored water.
Chlorination uses liquid chlorine bleach to kill microorganisms. Add two drops of bleach per quart of water (four drops if the water is cloudy), stir and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water does not taste and smell of chlorine at that point, add another dose and let stand another 15 minutes.
If your local health authorities issue a boil water advisory, you should use bottled water or boil tap water because your community’s water is, or could be, contaminated with germs that can make you sick. Advisories may include information about preparing food, beverages, or ice; dishwashing; and hygiene, such as brushing teeth and bathing. Standard recommendations usually include this advice:
Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling the aerosol, often referred to as vapor, which is produced by an e-cigarette or similar device. The term is used because e-cigarettes do not produce tobacco smoke, but rather an aerosol, often mistaken for water vapor, that actually consists of fine particles. Many of these particles contain varying amounts of toxic chemicals, which have been linked to cancer, as well as respiratory and heart disease.
Adult smokers who are looking to quit smoking can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit quitwithusla.org for information on FDA-approved counseling and medications.
http://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/page/3724
As a parent or caregiver, you have an important role in protecting children from e-cigarettes.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
E-Cigarettes Shaped Like USB Flash Drives
Electronic Cigarettes: What’s the Bottom Line
Opioids include prescription medications used to treat pain such as morphine, codeine, methadone, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, hydromorphone and buprenorphine, as well as illicit drugs such as heroin. High rates of pain medication prescribing behavior result in concomitant misuse, abuse, and overdose deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while the opioid prescribing rate for Louisiana has steadily decreased since 2012, Louisiana’s ranking when compared to other states has increased.
Opioid abuse is a problem in Louisiana where almost all indicators … addiction to opioid medications, overdose deaths, emergency room admissions and over-prescribing … are evidence of the problem.
If you are concerned about your own use of opioids, don’t wait! Talk with the health care professionals who prescribed the medications for you.
If you are concerned about family members or friends, urge them to talk to whoever prescribed their medications.
Effective treatment of an opioid use disorder can reduce the risk of overdose and help a person who is misusing or addicted to opioid medications attain a healthier life. Opioid use disorder is a chronic disease, much like heart disease.
An opioid overdose requires immediate medical attention. An essential first step is to get help from someone with medical expertise as soon as possible. Call 911 immediately if you or someone you know exhibits any of the signs listed below. All you have to say is “Someone is unresponsive and not breathing.” Give a specific address and/or description of your location.
Source Acknowledgements:
This opioid information was prepared for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The U.S. Department of State defines Human Trafficking as “trafficking in persons,” and “modern slavery” are umbrella terms used to refer to both sex trafficking and compelled labor. Human trafficking deprives millions worldwide of their dignity and freedom. In Louisiana in 2018, more than half of the human trafficking victims were children according to Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera’s office.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security defines human trafficking as: Modern day slavery; Exploiting a person through force, fraud or coercion; Sex trafficking, forced labor and domestic servitude; Any person under the age of 18 involved in a commercial sex act. Victims can be of any nationality, age, socioeconomic status, or gender.
To contact federal law enforcement,
call 1-866-DHS-2-ICE Or submit a tip online at www.ice.gov/tips For victim support from the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC), call 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to Befree(2333733). If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911.
Blue Campaign: What is Human Trafficking?
In the aftermath of a storm, a generator is an invaluable piece of equipment that can, at the very least, help your life begin to feel normal again.
www.consumerreports.org/generators/generator-safety-tips-to-get-you-through-a-storm/
How can you tell where a pipeline is located?
Since pipelines are buried underground, line markers like the ones shown here are used to indicate their approximate location along the route. The markers can be found where a pipeline intersects a street, highway, or railroad.
The markers display the material transported in the line, the name of the pipeline operator, and a telephone number where the operator can be reached in the event of an emergency.
Pipeline marker signs such as those pictured above are important to public safety. They are so important, in fact, that Congress in 1988 passed a law making it a federal crime to willfully deface, damage, remove, or destroy any pipeline sign or right-of-way marker that is required by federal law.
Markers indicate the general location of a pipeline. They cannot be relied upon to indicate the exact position of the pipeline they mark. Also, the pipeline may not follow a straight course between markers. And, while markers are helpful in locating pipelines, they are limited in the information they provide. They provide no information, for example, on the depth or number of pipelines in the vicinity.
Sight, sound, and smell are helpful in detecting pipeline leaks.
Your first concern should be for your personal safety and that of those around you if you suspect a leak.
Leave the area immediately
Avoid driving into vapor clouds
Avoid direct contact with escaping gases or liquids
Avoid creating sparks or other sources of heat, which could cause the escaping liquids or vapor to ignite and burn. If you find yourself in an area where you suspect hydrocarbon vapors are present, do not light a match, start an engine, or even switch on an electric light.
Call 9-1-1
Notify the pipeline operator
Pipelines carry both gaseous and liquid materials
Many liquids form gaseous vapor clouds when released
Many pipelines contain colorless and odorless products
Some pipeline gases are lighter than air and will rise
Other heavier-than-air gases and liquids will stay near the ground and collect in low spots
All petroleum gases and liquids are flammable
Any pipeline leak can be potentially dangerous
Excavators and homeowners should dial 811 is 1-800-272-3020 to reach LA One Call before starting any digging projects on or near any pipelines These projects include fences, flagpoles, landscaping, storage buildings, foundations, swimming pools, ground clearing, deep plowing, laying underground pipe or wiring, or any other “digging” projects.
The Internet is a useful tool for providing information for education, music, shopping and travel. Most people use the Internet with good intentions. However, be aware of dangers and implement best practices so that you can use the Internet safely and with confidence.
¹Article source: moneycrashers.com/dark-web
Parents need to supervise online gaming as much as possible. Be aware and wary of games that feature IM (instant messaging).
Social media sites and apps are an important part of how we all use the Internet. Most social media sites, including Facebook, SnapChat, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok require users be at least 13 years old. By accessing these platforms earlier than age 13, young children are at an increased risk of encountering inappropriate content.
²www.missingkids.org/netsmartz/topics/socialmedia
³Article source: https://stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/digital-awareness-for-parents/index.html
It is important that children play games that are age-appropriate. Ratings such as https://ESRB.org and https://CommonSenseMedia.org can help you decide if a game is appropriate.
Please visit the National Cybersecurity Awareness web site at https://niccs.us-cert.gov and Department of Homeland Security to learn about the Stop Think Connect campaign. https://dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect
You are vulnerable whenever you are online.
Keep all evidence of the interaction and write down the date and time the incident occurred
Contact law enforcement to file a report.
If you received an online solicitation, make a report at www.cybertipline.com or call 1-800-843-5678
If you are the victim of online fraud, report it to the Department of Justice at www.justice.gov/criminal/cybercrime/reporting.
⁴https://dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect
If you find yourself in an active shooting event, how to recognize signs of potential violence around you, and what to expect after an active shooting takes place. Remember during an active shooting to RUN. HIDE. FIGHT.
For more information, useful videos and additional resources regarding Active Shooter situations, please visit https://www.ready.gov/active-shooter
Prompt and thorough reporting of suspicious activities may prevent a terrorist attack. When reporting suspicious activity, it is helpful to give the most accurate description possible of the situation, including:
Being aware of signs indicative of terrorist planning can aid law enforcement in the discovery of possible terrorist activity. If you believe you have information that would help authorities, you are encouraged to do the following:
Certain activities, especially those at or near sensitive facilities, including government, military or other high profile sites or places where large numbers of people congregate, may indicate terrorist planning phases. Suspicious activities of interest that should be reported to law enforcement are commonly referred to as the 7 Signs of Terrorism.
Also visit: https://www.dhs.gov/topic/preventing-terrorism
Retrofitting means making changes to existing buildings to protect them from hazards. More information on retrofitting can be found in Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting: Six Ways to Protect Your House from Flooding, FEMA publication 312: available from FEMA Publications 800-480-2520 or http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/mat/fema312.shtm
The force of a windstorm pushes against the foundation of your home. This force is transferred from your roof to the exterior walls and finally to the foundation. Homes can be damaged or destroyed when the energy from the wind is not properly transferred to the ground.
If you live in an area prone to high winds, make sure your roof is firmly secured to the main frame of the residence. Consider building a wind-safe room or shelter in your home to protect yourself. For more information, see Taking Shelter From the Storm: Building a Safe Room Inside Your House, FEMA publication 320: available from FEMA Publications 800-480-2520 or http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=1536
There are several additional steps you can take to reduce wind damages and losses, including the following:
To learn more about hazard mitigation measures that you can take to reduce your risk from disasters, visit FEMA’s website, http://www.fema.gov, or call 1-800-480-2520 to have a list of available mitigation publications mailed to your home or office.
P.O. Box 324
Plaquemine, LA 70764
Phone: 225-687-5140
www.ibervilleparish.com
Iberville Parish National Flood Insurance
Program Coordinator
Brian Romero
Building Inspector
58050 Meriam Street
Plaquemine, LA 70764
Phone: 225-687-5150
7667 Independence Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
Phone: 225-925-7500
www.gohsep.la.gov
800 North Loop 288
Denton, TX 76209-3606
Phone: 940-898-5399
500 C Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20472
Phone: 800-621-3362
www.fema.gov