Daily HealthBeat Tip

Thinking about leaving

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

An evacuation is rushed enough. And a last-minute rush is no way to prepare for one. That's something to consider in states that can be hit by hurricanes or other bad storms.

HHS' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a to-do list that includes items we can do well in advance.

Among them: Review your emergency plans and supplies, checking to see if any items are missing. Prepare an emergency kit for your car with food, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, and things like that. Fill your clean water containers.

When you have to leave, here's what Surgeon General Richard Carmona advises:

"If you have time, turn off gas, electricity and water. Disconnect appliances to reduce the likelihood of electrical shock when power is restored." (seven seconds)

Learn more at www.hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: May 23, 2006

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