If you have not recently taken a course in CPR or first aid, contact your local Red Cross for course information and schedules.

First Aid Treatment for Chemical Burns

• A chemical burn can be minor or life threatening, but proper treatment can reduce the chance of infection and the damage caused by contact with the chemical.
• Remove any affected clothing or jewelry from the injury. Use lots of cool running water to flush the chemical from the skin until emergency help arrives. The running water will dilute the chemical fast enough to prevent the injury from getting worse.
• Use the same treatment for eye burns and remove any contact lenses. Be careful to flush the eye from the nose outward.
• If no large amount of clean water is available, gently brush the chemical off the skin and away from the victim and you.
• If the chemical is on the face, neck, or shoulders, ask the victim to close his or her eyes before brushing off the chemical.
• Cover the wound very loosely with a dry, sterile or clean cloth so that the cloth will not stick to the wound. Do not put any medication on the wound. Seek medical attention immediately.

If you believe you have been contaminated with a chemical, call the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222), EMS, 9-1-1 or the operator immediately. If medical help is not immediately available, remove your clothing starting from the top and working your way down to your socks. Take care not to touch your contaminated clothing to your bare skin. Place your clothing in a plastic bag so it cannot contaminate other people or things. Take a thorough shower to wash any chemical away. Re-dress in clean clothing and go for medical help at your first opportunity

Who Helps in a Chemical Emergency

There are many organizations that help the community in an emergency, such as police, fire, and sheriff departments, the American Red Cross, and government agencies. All these groups coordinate their activities through the local office of emergency management. In many areas there are local Hazardous Materials, or Haz-Mat Teams, who are trained to respond to chemical accidents. In the event of a chemical emergency, it is very important that you follow the instructions of these highly trained professionals. They know best how to protect you and your family

Important Points To Remember

• Chemicals are everywhere. They are an important part of life.
• The most common chemical accidents occur in our own homes and can be prevented.
• The best ways to avoid chemical accidents are to read and follow the directions for use, storage, and disposal of the product.
• Don't mix products, especially household cleaning products.
• Develop a Family Disaster Plan and pack a Family Disaster Supplies Kit.
• In the event of an emergency, follow the instructions of the authorities carefully. Listen to your emergency broadcast stations on radio and TV.
• Use your phone only in life-threatening emergencies, and then call the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222), EMS, 9-1-1 or the operator immediately.
• If you are told to "shelter in place", go inside, close all windows and vents and turn off all fans, heating or cooling systems. Take family members and pets to a safe room, seal windows and doors, and listen to emergency broadcast stations for instructions.
• If you are told to evacuate immediately, take your Family Disaster Supplies Kit. Pack only the bare essentials, such as medications, and leave your home quickly. Follow the traffic route authorities recommend. Don't take short cuts on the way to the shelter.
• If you find someone who appears to have been injured from chemical exposure, make sure you are not in danger before administering first aid.
• And lastly, remember, the best way to protect yourself and your family is to be prepared.

The American Red Cross is an organization managed by volunteers from your community. Although it receives no money from the government, it is chartered by the U.S. Congress to provide disaster relief. All help given to people during a chemical, house fire, storm, or other emergency is free of charge and supported through charitable contributions and the United Way.

Emergency help may include shelter, meals, replacement of essential medication, and personal hygiene supplies. The Red Cross may also help reunite families by staying in touch with all evacuation sites.

The strength of the Red Cross is its core of volunteers who work in all levels of the organization. If you would like more information about becoming a Red Cross volunteer, either in Disaster Services, Health and Safety, Blood Services, or community programs, click here.

Important telephone numbers

emergency medical service: 9-1-1

If an accident involving hazardous materials occurs, you will be notified by the authorities as to what steps to take. You may hear a siren, be called by telephone, or emergency personnel may drive by and give instructions over a loudspeaker. Officials could even come to your door. If you hear a warning signal, you should go indoors and listen to a local Emergency Alert System (EAS) station for emergency instructions from county or state officials. Ask your local office of emergency management or Red Cross chapter which stations carry official messages in your community.