To Do After a Wildfire
How you can stay safe after a wildfire from the American Red Cross –
Stay Safe –
• Wait for officials to say it is safe before going back home.
• Avoid hot ash, charred trees, smoldering debris, and live embers. The ground may contain heat pockets that can burn you or spark another fire.
• Avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles, and downed wires. They can electrocute you.
• Watch for pits in the ground filled with ash. They may have hot embers underneath that could burn you. Mark them for safety, and warn your family and neighbors to keep clear of the pits.
Stay Healthy –
• Wildfires can make drinking water unsafe. Check with your local health department about drinking water safety.
• When in doubt, throw it out! Throw out food that was exposed to heat, smoke, fumes, or chemicals.
• Ask your healthcare provider or doctor about using refrigerated medicines.
Cleanup Safely –
• Follow public health rules and wear safety equipment.
• Avoid direct contact with ash.
• Protect yourself against ash when you clean up. Wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks to protect your skin. Wear goggles to protect your eyes. Limit how much ash you breathe in by wearing an N95 respirator.
• Wash off ash that gets on your skin or in your eyes or mouth as soon as you can.
• Children, pregnant women, and people with asthma, heart or lung conditions should not breathe in dust from ash.
The author of this content cannot be liable for any use or misuse of the contents. This is a guideline and is meant for information only.
