After a flood...

The following are FEMA guidelines for the period following a flood:

• Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink.
• Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
• Avoid moving water.
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
• Stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power company.
• Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
• Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
• Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.
• Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards.
• Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website is a valuable source of flood safety information: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/

Additionally, there is information for reopening dialysis facilities, here: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/emergency/dialysis.html

Lightning Safety Week

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

Lightning Safety Week: June 22-28, 2008

In the United States, an average of 62 people are killed each year by lightning. Already in 2008, 8 people have died due to lightning strikes. In 2007, 45 people were struck and killed by lighting in the U.S.; hundreds of others were injured.

Most people who are struck by lightning are not killed, but they are left badly bruised and burned. The force of being hit by lightning can literally blow off people's shoes, shred their clothes and throw them violently through the air. It not only hits you hard, but at 50,000 degrees, it also burns right through you, leaving you with disfiguring scars and internal damage. Lightning survivors often have pain, loss of memory and other bad effects that sometimes last a lifetime.

A darkening cloud is often the first sign that lightning may strike. As soon as you see lightning or hear thunder, you are immediately at risk. By playing another inning or waiting even a few minutes to see if the storm is getting closer, you could be risking your life.

Go immediately inside a house or other enclosed structure to stay safe. No place outdoors is safe! Covered vehicles are fairly safe locations, but remember to keep your hands and feet away from the side of the car and away from the dashboard, steering wheel and windows.

People that have been struck by lightning do not carry an electrical charge. If you and the victim are in a safe area, it is safe and recommended to perform life saving first aid. You will not “get shocked” by touching the victim.

How far away is lightning from you? Use the FLASH to BANG method:

• When you see the FLASH
• Count the number of seconds to the BANG of thunder,
• Divide this number by 5,
• And this gives you the MILES the lighting is away from you.

It is recommended that if the thunder arrives within 30 seconds or less from your location, you should seek shelter. Wait thirty minutes after the last thunder before going outside.

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/

"All Hazards" now an online continuing education course

FMQAI: The Florida ESRD Network (Network 7) is pleased to present All Hazards I: Identifying and Preparing for Potential Emergencies and Disasters. This free online continuing education course will provide 1.0 continuing education contact hour for Florida nurses, social workers, and dietitians.

This is an exciting opportunity for dialysis providers to fulfill the CMS Conditions for Coverage which outline staff training on disasters.

For more information on the course, visit http://edu.flqio.org/ and click on "ESRD Courses."

Flood Safety

Flooding is one of the most common and most destructive disasters in the United States. Floods can happen anywhere, and sometimes without warning.

There are some important things to remember when facing a flooding disaster in your area:

Stay tuned to local news on the television and radio. Keep in touch with family members, neighbors, and friends. If your home is threatened, gather your important belongings and always listen and follow the directions from local emergency personnel (sheriff, police, fire/rescue, emergency management).

If you are told to evacuate, DO SO! Evacuate out of the danger area to a shelter, friend's house, family, or a hotel. Tell your family and friends where you are evacuating to. Take important items with you, including medicine, medical records, food, clothing, cash, insurance documents, and other items. Do not leave your pets. If you are going to a shelter, take bedding and food with you and tell the shelter that you are a dialysis or kidney transplant patient.

Do not drive or walk though standing water. You have no idea how deep the water is or how fast it is moving. As little as six inches of water can carry away a vehicle or knock you off your feet. Remember, "Turn around, don't drown!"

If you are on dialysis, remember that your dialysis facility has a disaster plan. Contact your facility and find out where else you can get your treatments if your unit is closed due to flooding or you are unable to reach your facility because the roads are shut down or you evacuated out of the area.

The Kidney Community Emergency Response (KCER) Coalition develops and disseminates preparedness materials for the kidney community. KCER is actively monitoring the current Midwest storms and flooding situation in Iowa, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, and Nebraska.

To find and open or closed dialysis facility, go to www.dialysisunits.com. Dialysis providers should notify their local ESRD Network if there are any changes in status.

If your community needs assistance or information on dialysis and kidney transplant operations in your area, contact your local providers or your local ESRD Network.

To find your local ESRD Network, visit http://www.esrdncc.org/

To contact the KCER Coalition, email KCER@nw7.esrd.net or visit our website for information - http://www.kcercoalition.com/.

For important flooding information, visit http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm

It's always Disaster Season

There are hundreds of thousands of dialysis and kidney transplant patients in the United States. Do you know how many of them live in a disaster-prone area?

ALL OF THEM.

June 1 marks the beginning of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. Forecasters expect an above average season. The average season has 11 named storms. For the complete forecast, visit
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2008/20080522_hurricaneoutlook.html

Remember, while hurricanes can be deadly, many other types of disasters are happening around the country. Tornadoes strike without warning. Floods leave little time to prepare. Hazardous materials spills can threaten any neighborhood. Are you prepared?