In the event the City of Chandler experiences a chemical emergency, citizens should be aware of the following information provided by the American Red Cross for their health and safety.

CONTACTS:

• In extreme emergencies, citizens who are in danger should call 9-1-1.
• If you believe you have been contaminated with a chemical, call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-362-0101, EMS, 9-1-1, or the operator immediately.
• Medical questions of a non-emergency nature should be directed to the resident’s private physician or local hospital/health clinic.
• Residents with questions regarding the disposal of chemicals should call the City's Solid Waste Hotline at (480) 782-3510.

How Citizens May Be Notified of a Major Chemical Emergency

In the event of a major chemical emergency, residents will be notified by authorities. To get their attention, a siren could sound, they may be called by telephone, or emergency personnel may drive by and give instructions over a loudspeaker. Officials could even go door-to-door.

Listen carefully to radio or television emergency alert stations and strictly follow instructions. People’s lives could depend on it.

Citizens Will be Told:

• The type of health hazard
• The area affected
• How to protect themselves
• Evacuation routes (if necessary)
• Shelter locations
• Type and location of medical facilities
• Phone numbers to call if they need extra help

Residents should not call the telephone company, and do not call EMS, 9-1-1, or the operator for information unless it is a life threatening emergency.

How a Person May Be Exposed to a Chemical 

• Breathing the chemical
• Swallowing contaminated food, water, or medication
• Touching the chemical, or coming into contact with clothing or things that have touched the chemical

Symptoms of Chemical Poisoning

•  Difficulty breathing
• Changes in skin color
• Headache or blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Irritated eyes, skin, throat
• Unusual behavior
• Clumsiness or lack of coordination
• Stomach cramps or diarrhea

What To Do in a Chemical Emergency

• Follow the instructions of the authorities carefully. Listen to emergency broadcast stations on radio and television.
• Use the phone only in life-threatening emergencies, and then call the Poison Control Center at 1-800-362-0101, EMS, 9-1-1, or the operator immediately.
• If citizens are told to "shelter in place", they should 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 window and doors with tape, and listen to emergency broadcast stations for instructions.
• If told to evacuate immediately, residents should pack only the bare essentials, such as medications, and leave their home quickly. Citizens should follow the traffic route authorities recommend and to avoid taking 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.
• If the water has been contaminated by the chemical, residents should drink bottled water until advised by authorities to do otherwise.

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.

1. 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. If no large amount of clean water is available, gently brush the chemical off the skin and away from the victim.

2. 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 quickly.

3. Use the same treatment for eye burns and remove any contact lenses. Be careful to flush the eye from the nose outward.