William Penn Life, 2004 (39. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2004-10-01 / 10. szám
Coping with stress in the aftermath The days and weeks after a hurricane or flood are going to be rough. In addition to your physical health, you need to take some time to consider your mental health as well. Individual responses to a threatening or potentiallytraumatic event may vary. Emotional reactions may include feelings of fear, grief, anger, anxiety, lethargy and depression. Physical and behavioral responses might include nausea, dizziness, hyperactivity, changes in appetite and sleep pattern, sleeplessness, as well as withdrawal from daily activities. Responses to trauma can last for weeks to months before people start to feel normal again. If you feel any of these symptoms acutely, seek counseling. Seek medical care if you become injured, feel sick, or experience stress and anxiety. Your state and local health departments will help you find the local resources, including hospitals or health care providers that you may need. There are many things you can do to cope with traumatic events, including • Keep as many elements of your normal routine incorporated into the disaster plans as possible, including activities to allay children’s fears. • Be aware that you may have fewer resources to attend to your day-today conflicts, so it is best to resolve what you can ahead of time. • Turn to family, friends, and important social or religious contacts to setup support networks to help deal with the potential stressors. • Let your child know that it is okay to feel upset when something bad or scary happens. • Encourage your child to express feelings and thoughts, without making judgments.- Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HealthPage____________________ Take care to avoid these animals. Do not corner an animal. If an animal must be removed, contact your local animal control authorities. If you are bitten by any animal, seek immediate medical attention. If you are bitten by a snake, first try to accurately identify the type of snake so that, if poisonous, the correct anti-venom may be administered. Contact local or state health and agricultural officials for state guidelines on disposal of dead animals. Protect yourself from mosquitoes: use screens on dwellings, wear longsleeved and long-legged clothing, and use insect repellents that contain DEET. How to Deal With Chemical Hazards Be aware of potential chemical hazards you may encounter during flood recovery. Flood waters may have buried or moved hazardous chemical containers of solvents or other industrial chemicals from their normal storage places. If any propane tanks (whether 20- lb. tanks from a gas grill or household propane tanks) are discovered, do not attempt to move them yourself. These represent a very real danger of fire or explosion, and if any are found, police or fire departments or your State Fire Marshal's office should be contacted immediately. Car batteries, even those in flood water, may still contain an electrical charge and should be removed with extreme caution by using insulated Health Links For more information about how to prepare for and recover from hurricanes, floods and other natural and manmade disasters, log onto the following websites : O www.cdc.gov the site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 3 www.redcross.org The site of the American Red Cross gloves. Avoid coming in contact with any acid that may have spilled from a damaged car battery. How to Deal with Electric and Gas Utilities Electrical power and natural gas or propane tanks should be shut off to avoid fire, electrocution or explosions until it is safe to use them. Use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lanterns or torches. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open all windows and leave the house immediately. Notify the gas company or the police or fire departments or State Fire Marshal's office, and do not turn on the lights or do anything that could cause a spark. Avoid any downed power lines, particularly those in water. All electrical equipment and appliances must be completely dry before returning them to service. It is advisable to have a certified electrician check these items if there is any question. Also, remember not to operate any gas-powered equipment indoors. How to Clean Up Walls, hard-surfaced floors and many other household surfaces should be cleaned with soap and water and disinfected with a solution of one cup of bleach to five gallons of water. Wash all linens and clothing in hot water or dry clean them. For items that cannot be washed or dry cleaned, such as mattresses and upholstered furniture, air dry them in the sun and then spray them thoroughly with a disinfectant. Steam clean all carpeting. If there has been a backflow of sewage into the house, wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves during cleanup. Remove and discard contaminated household materials that cannot be disinfected, such as wallcoverings, cloth, rugs, and dry wall. [jm] William Pen Life, October 2004 7
