Get a Biological Threat Kit
Biological Threats |
Get a Biological Threat Kit |
During the Biological Threat
Prepare your Basic Emergency Kit
Get an Emergency Supply Kit, which includes items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries. You may want to prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car. This kit should include:
- Copies of prescription medications and medical supplies
- Bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows
- Bottled water, a battery-operated radio and extra batteries, a first aid kit, a flashlight
- Copies of important documents: driver's license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates, tax records, etc.
For a Biological Threat
In addition to your basic emergency kit, when preparing for a Biological Threat you may want to consider the following:
- Check with your doctor to ensure all required or suggested immunizations are up to date. Children and older adults are particularly vulnerable to biological agents.
- Consider installing a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter in your furnace return duct. These filters remove particles in the 0.3 to 10 micron range and will filter out most biological agents that may enter your house. If you do not have a central heating or cooling system, a stand-alone portable HEPA filter can be used.
Antibiotics
While antibiotics are often an appropriate treatment for the diseases associated with biological weapons, the specific drug must match the illness to be effective.
One antibiotic, for example, may be appropriate for treating anthrax exposure, but is inappropriate for treating smallpox. All antibiotics can cause side effects including serious reactions. Plan to
speak with your health care provider in advance about what makes sense for your family.