Do not leave the safety of a shelter to go outdoors, including to help others, until authorities say it is safe to do so. If you have evacuated, return home only when authorities say it is safe.
If you are affected by a chemical agent and medical help is not immediately available, the best action is to decontaminate yourself and help others to do so, if possible.
How to decontaminate:
- Remove all clothing and other items in contact with your body.
- Cut off clothing normally removed over the head to avoid contact with the eyes, nose and mouth.
- Put contaminated clothing and items into a plastic bag and seal the bag.
- Remove eyeglasses or contact lenses. Put glasses in a pan of household bleach to decontaminate them and then rinse and dry.
- Wash hands with soap and water. If helping someone decontaminate, immediately wash your hands and other exposed skin afterwards.
- Flush eyes with water.
- Gently wash face and hair with soap and water before thoroughly rinsing with water.
As soon as it is safe to do so, proceed to a medical facility for screening and professional treatment.
